Good Neighbors Campaign
Preventing cavities. Offering pro bono legal advice. Helping high school students conduct research for a hospital. Providing acting classes.
These are just a few of the activities and benefits that are available to families living near USC's two campuses thanks to an innovative fundraising program called the Good Neighbors Campaign. Begun in 1994 by President Steven Sample, the program asks USC faculty and staff to contribute a portion of their paychecks to support programs that help strengthen local communities. Over the years, students, alumni and friends have joined in.
In 2007, the program passed the $1 million mark in annual contributions from some 4,400 employees, with 500 of them pledging 1 percent or more of their annual salaries. In 2008, the campaign produced $1.1 million; and overall, it has raised more than $10 million since 1994. The university covers all of the campaign’s administrative costs, which means that all of the money raised - 100 percent - goes to the community.
Swim classes. Jazz instruction. Free computers. Tools for peacemaking and preventing violence. Opera.
To receive funding, each program must be a partnership between a USC faculty or staff member or student and a neighborhood group. A non-profit grant-making organization called USC Neighborhood Outreach solicits grant proposals and awards grants based on community impact, cost-effectiveness, volunteer involvement and relevance to the university's community objectives. In 2008, 46 proposals were received; 38 of the projects were funded, with grants ranging from $3,500 to $80,000.
Marine biology. Tutoring in reading and math. Music theory. Summer camp. Hands-on engineering. Technology training. Poison prevention. After-school science programs. Volleyball. Park renovation. Farmers' markets. Biometrics. Juvenile justice education.
And the list goes on.
To learn where our USC Good Neighbors Campaign money went in 2009-2010, please click here.
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2009 Good Neighbors Campaign
Celebrating 15 Years of Helping Others
The 2009 USC Good Neighbors Campaign runs from October 1 through 31. Under the banner of “Celebrating 15 Years of Helping Children Live Their Dreams,” the campaign aims to raise $1.2 million in voluntary contributions from university faculty and staff.
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Featured Program
Troy Camp
Founded in 1948 as a fraternity project, Troy Camp today is a student-run volunteer organization that provides weeklong camping trips as well as mentoring, sporting events, field trips and other activities for children from local elementary schools. Troy Camp receives a portion of its funding from a USC Good Neighbors grant.
