About University of Southern California
Grants are strongly focused on Los Angeles-area community strengthening, combining support for public health and clinical services with neighborhood-based social services, youth education, and arts organizations. The foundation funds many small-to-midsize local nonprofits repeatedly (often 2–3 grants each) while also making very large investments in institutional partners tied to health and nonprofit infrastructure. Recipients include service providers for underserved populations (housing, immigrant legal aid, grief support), youth education and STEM programs, and community arts initiatives that serve marginalized communities.
Focus Areas
Local nonprofit capacity-building and backbone support (e.g., Community Partners)Clinical and community health systems in LA (USC Health System; mental health, substance use programs)Youth educational supports for underserved students — afterschool, tutoring, literacy, and STEM (School on Wheels, 826LA, Project Scientist, Rise Education Fund)Community arts serving marginalized neighborhoods (24th Street Theatre, Fulcrum Arts, Jazz Hands for Autism)Immigrant/low‑income legal and social services and neighborhood peacebuilding (Al Otro Lado, SOLA Community Peace Center, Redeemer Community Partnership)
About University of Southern California
University of Southern California’s largest recent grant was a $1,708,044 award to USC Health System in 2024 for general support, which signals how closely the foundation’s philanthropy is tied to its own institutional and community-facing health work. Around that anchor, the foundation also directs substantial support to local nonprofit infrastructure and neighborhood-based service providers in Los Angeles. Community Partners received $628,094 in 2023 and another $498,280 in 2024, both for general support, showing a repeated relationship with a backbone organization that serves many community groups. The foundation’s recent giving is concentrated in practical support for organizations working in public health, clinical and mental health services, youth education, grief support, immigration-related aid, and community arts. Most grants are small-to-midsize, but a few large awards stand out above the typical range, indicating a mix of institutional support and routine operating grants to local nonprofits. The recipient list points to a funder that leans heavily on general support rather than tightly restricted project funding.
What University of Southern California Funds
Public health and clinical care are a major part of the foundation’s giving. USC Health System received $1,708,044 in 2024 for general support, and Wellnest was also funded with $28,000 in 2023 for general support, indicating attention to both institutional health capacity and community mental health services. Youth education is another visible area: Project Scientist received $43,200 in 2023 and $35,000 in 2024, while School on Wheels Inc received $31,730 in 2023, both for general support. The foundation also supports social services tied to family stability and grief support, including $38,000 in 2023 and $30,400 in 2024 to OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center. Arts organizations are part of the mix as well, with 24th STreet Theatre Company receiving $31,990 in 2023 and Jazz Hands for Autism receiving $28,500 in 2024 for general support.
How University of Southern California Gives
Typical grants cluster in the small-to-midsize range, with p25 at $17,340, median at $22,400, and p75 at $29,980. That pattern sits well below the largest awards, which are reserved for institutional and backbone support. The recent list shows repeated grants to the same recipients across years, including Community Partners, Project Scientist, and Jazz Hands for Autism, suggesting ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards. The foundation is a regular funder and makes no program-related investments. The recent grants shown are all for general support.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$249.4M
Total Assets
$17B
Total Revenue
$5.9B
Total Expenses
$5.6B
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $17K and $30K, with a median of $22K.
25th Percentile
$17K
Median
$22K
75th Percentile
$30K
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
Dr Carol L Folt
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