NEW YORK, Oct 26, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Youth, I.N.C. (Improving Nonprofits for Children), a nonprofit organization that improves the lives of New York City youth through a unique venture philanthropy model that empowers, develops and educates nonprofit organizations serving young people, announced today that over $1.4 million was raised on Wednesday, Oct. 21 through the fourth annual Trading Day for Kids sponsored by Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC), a leading, international middle market investment bank and institutional securities firm. On Oct 21, 100 percent of commissions on designated equity trades made by client partners through Piper Jaffray were donated to Youth, I.N.C. This is the second largest amount raised in a single day by Youth, I.N.C. in the 15-year history of the organization.

"This year's Trading Day for Kids proved to be another great success, and through the support of the financial community, we were able to exceed our fundraising goal," said Steve Orr, Executive Director, Youth, I.N.C. "Trading Day is a very important event for our organization, as the money raised through our efforts on this day directly support a network of 17 deserving nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of tens of thousands of youth in New York City. The entire team at Piper Jaffray was instrumental in driving this event, and we would like to thank all of their employees, notably Thomas Schnettler, president and COO, Charlie Galligan, managing director, and Larry Zimmerman, head of industrials and financial sponsors coverage, for their generosity and commitment to this cause."

Piper Jaffray sponsored a series of events with Youth, I.N.C. in support of Trading Day for Kids. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, institutional investors and the greater financial community gathered for the third annual State of the Market conference. This exclusive event featured timely insight on investment opportunities from a panel of esteemed leaders, including Rodgin Cohen, Sullivan & Cromwell, Bryan Marsal, Alvarez & Marsal, Michael Novogratz, Fortress Investment Group, and Bruce Richards, Marathon Asset Management.

On Oct. 8, Piper Jaffray hosted 19 high-school students from Youth, I.N.C.'s partner nonprofit organization, The DOME Project, Inc., for a mentoring day event. Students from Brandeis High School in New York City spent time with Piper Jaffray executives to learn about the financial services industry and the firm's day-to-day business activities in addition to hearing from a panel of Piper Jaffray representatives from the firm's Capital Markets, Investment Banking, and Research divisions.

On Oct. 21, senior executives from Piper Jaffray, members of the Youth, I.N.C. Board of Directors, and representatives from six of Youth, I.N.C.'s nonprofit partner organizations joined together to celebrate the fundraising success of Trading Day for Kids by ringing the NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell.

For more information about participating in the 2010 Trading Day for Kids, please contact tradingday@youthinc-usa.org.

About Youth, I.N.C.

Youth, I.N.C. was founded in 1995 by former Goldman Sachs investment banker Steve Orr, who recognized that many nonprofit organizations struggled to connect with powerful networks and maximize the funding sources needed to fulfill their missions. Youth, I.N.C. improves the lives of America's youth through a unique venture philanthropy model that empowers, develops, and educates nonprofit organizations serving young people. Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, Youth, I.N.C. has empowered 80 nonprofits, enabling them to raise more than $11.5 million for their youth programs and touch the lives of more than 540,000 youth. Youth, I.N.C. has also placed more than 90 corporate professionals with nonprofits as board members, advisors and high-impact volunteers. For more information on Youth, I.N.C., please visit www.youthinc-usa.org.

About Piper Jaffray:

Piper Jaffray Companies (NYSE: PJC) is a leading, international middle market investment bank and institutional securities firm, serving the needs of corporations, private equity groups, public entities, nonprofit clients and institutional investors. Founded in 1895, Piper Jaffray provides a comprehensive set of products and services, including equity and debt capital markets products; public finance services; mergers and acquisitions advisory services; high-yield and structured products; institutional equity and fixed-income sales and trading; and equity and high-yield research. Piper Jaffray headquarters are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with offices across the U.S. and in London, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Piper Jaffray & Co. is the firm's principal operating subsidiary.(www.piperjaffray.com) Since 1895. Member SIPC and FINRA.

SOURCE Piper Jaffray

http://www.piperjaffray.com