Piper Jaffray Enters Philanthropic Partnership With Youth, I.N.C. to Support 4th Annual Trading Day for Kids

MINNEAPOLIS and NEW YORK, September 28, 2009 — Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC), a leading, international middle market investment bank and institutional securities firm, and Youth, I.N.C. (Improving Nonprofits for Children), a nonprofit organization that improves the lives of New York City youth, announced today a philanthropic collaboration that will occur on October 21 with Youth, I.N.C.'s fourth annual Trading Day for Kids.

On Wednesday, October 21, Piper Jaffray will donate to Youth, I.N.C.100 percent of designated commissions on equity trades made through Piper Jaffray.

Institutional investors can support Youth, I.N.C. through this initiative by directing all equity trading activities to Trading Day for Kids sponsor Piper Jaffray on Wednesday, October 21 and designating Youth, I.N.C. as the beneficiary of the commissions (“say” it is for Youth, I.N.C. or “tag” your electronic trade).

“Piper Jaffray is proud to collaborate with Youth, I.N.C. on this unique initiative that raises necessary funds for a number of worthwhile youth-serving organizations across New York City," said Thomas Schnettler, president and chief operating officer of Piper Jaffray. “Our firm has a strong commitment to philanthropy, and our employees are excited to serve as the partner sponsor for the 2009 Trading Day for Kids. We look forward to working with Youth, I.N.C. in support of this great cause on October 21.”

Youth, I.N.C. assists a network of grassroots, youth-serving nonprofit organizations throughout New York City by employing a unique venture philanthropy model to empower, develop and educate its partner nonprofits.

“Youth, I.N.C. has been able to provide capacity-building services for more than 80 nonprofit organizations over the past 15 years, an achievement that we attribute to the enormous generosity of organizations such as Piper Jaffray,” said Steve Orr, executive director of Youth, I.N.C. “We are thrilled to partner with Piper Jaffray and its employees for our fourth annual Trading Day for Kids. The funds raised through designated commissions on this single day will help to impact the lives of more than 45,000 youth throughout New York City, and we hope to reach $1,000,000 on this day through the efforts of Piper Jaffray.”

Piper Jaffray will be sponsoring a series of events with Youth, I.N.C. leading up to Trading Day for Kids on October 21:

*Youth, I.N.C. and Piper Jaffray will be hosting the third annual State of the Market conference on Tuesday, September 29. This exclusive event will feature timely insight on investment opportunities from a panel of esteemed hedge fund industry leaders and other institutional investors. Conference panelists include: Rodgin Cohen, Sullivan & Cromwell, Bryan Marsal, Alvarez & Marsal, Michael Novogratz, Fortress Investment Group, and Bruce Richards, Marathon Asset Management. For more information, please visit the event Web site at www.stateofthemarket.org.

*On October 8, Piper Jaffray will also host a number of high-school students from Youth, I.N.C.'s partner nonprofit organization, The DOME Project, Inc., who have been selected to participate in a mentoring day program. The students, from Brandeis High School in New York City, will spend time with Piper Jaffray executives to learn about the financial services industry and the firm's day-to-day business activities. The DOME Project, Inc. assists young people who are economically, socially and academically challenged to focus on their education as a means to success.

For more information about participating in Trading Day for Kids, please visit www.youthinc-usa.org/trading_day_2009.php

About Piper Jaffray:
Piper Jaffray Companies (NYSE: PJC) is a leading, international middle market investment bank and institutional securities firm, serving the needs of middle market 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; structured products; institutional equity and fixed-income sales and trading; and equity 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)

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. has empowered over 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 95 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.