The USC Sol Price School of Public Policy's first two social innovation interns blurred the lines between local and global arenas by serving refugees and other residents of San Diego's City Heights neighborhood. The internships were organized and funded by the Sol Price Center for Social Innovation, which promotes sustainable community development in City Heights and underserved urban areas.
Peter and Jennifer Buffett, founders and co-chairs of the NoVo Foundation, gave their thoughts on philanthropy on March 20 as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series hosted by the USC Center on Philanthropy & Public Policy, housed at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. The Buffetts spoke of the need for a strategic focus in philanthropy, taking a hands-off approach with grantees, the importance of working with partners and their plans to spend down their foundation, which aims to oversee a change in society from exploitation to cooperation.
The USC Sol Price School of Public Policy was among several USC schools and programs that ascended in the latest national rankings released by U.S. News & World Report . The Price School climbed to sixth place (from seventh in 2008) in the newest edition of "America's Best Graduate Schools" for public affairs.
Philanthropic giving by California's foundations jumped from $2.8 billion to $6 billion over the past decade despite two economic recessions during that period, a new USC analysis announced today shows. Those numbers, adjusted for inflation, represent a 55 percent increase in giving from 1999 to 2009. Foundation giving nationwide increased 52.5 percent during that period, according to the report by the USC Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy based at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.
Confetti shot through the air, the Spirit of Troy played the USC fight song and faculty, staff, students, alumni and university officials lifted two fingers in a victory salute on Feb. 7 as the university celebrated the newly named USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. USC president C. L. Max Nikias and USC Price dean Jack H. Knott were joined on stage in front of Lewis Hall by brothers Robert and Larry Price to officially announce the $50 million naming gift from the Price Family Charitable Fund to honor the life and legacy of entrepreneur and philanthropist Sol Price '36, '38.
During the fall, USC students who signed up for the course, "The Nonprofit Sector and the Public Interest," found themselves with $10,000 and a tough assignment. They had to give the money away to up to five deserving Los Angeles-based nonprofits. As part of the course, offered through the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, professor Richard Sundeen asked each student to choose a nonprofit to research. At the end of the semester, they presented their findings to the class as persuasive pitches asking for $2,000 to $10,000 gifts to meet specific needs of the organizations.
When it comes to education, there actually are four Rs - reading, writing, arithmetic and reform. Over the summer, eight students from the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development concentrated on the subject of reform as fellows for Education Pioneers, a national nonprofit that recruits graduate students to explore issues in urban education through 10-week, paid summer positions outside the classroom.
Helping Americans lead healthier and wealthier lives -- that's how USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development graduates Brooke Lykins and Mary Kuhn plan to spend their upcoming year courtesy of the Clinton-Orfalea Fellowships. The fellows will head to New York in August to work at the William J. Clinton Foundation, which addresses issues of global climate change, HIV and AIDS in the developing world, childhood obesity, and economic opportunity and development.
May 1, 2008
In an unprecedented sweep, all three recipients of the William A. Carlson Fellowship award - presented by the California Redevelopment Agency in March - are current students at SPPD.
October 27, 2006
Weathering economic downturns earlier this decade, California foundations have rebounded, nearly restoring assets and exceeding giving levels found at high watermark levels in the year 2000, according to a new report by the Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development.
February 22, 2006
Los Angeles area philanthropic foundations have experienced significant growth in assets and giving, but the community has not kept pace with its state and national counterparts, according to a new study released today by the Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development.
March 10, 2003
The USC Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy has received a $1 million endowment to support its research on the changing philanthropic landscape. In the midst of a shaky economy, the funding represents an 'important investment' in the future of California.
Established in 2000, the Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy promotes more effective philanthropy and strengthens the nonprofit sector to advance public problem solving. Its research focuses on trends and patterns in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, philanthropic strategies for social impact, and challenges in philanthropic stewardship and leadership.