The USC School of Social Work recently launched The USC Social Work Initiative, a $75 million fundraising campaign, at a private event on April 11. Already past its half-way mark, the initiative has secured $40 million over the past four years for scholarships, research and program development, among many other areas.

Throughout 2015 and 2016, the school will host a series of small fundraising salons in private homes, providing a more intimate setting for current and prospective donors to interact directly with the dean, faculty and staff about ways their support will have a direct impact on the future of social work and the betterment of society. 

Tena Nelson, PhD ’90, and Festus Webley, MSW ’71, hosted the first salon at their home in Riverside, California. Notable guests included Rusty Bailey, mayor of Riverside; Janlee Wong, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers California Chapter; and Dwight Tate, School of Social Work Board of Councilors member, and his wife, Kathy Wright.

Dean Marilyn Flynn officially kicked off The USC Social Work Initiative as part of a short program.

“We conduct research of consequence – the kind that can be directly translated to where it will do the most good. And we build that research into our curriculum so our students are trained to look for evidence-based practices in creating better programs and services,” Flynn said. “Philanthropy is what makes this innovation possible. It allows us to retain the best faculty, maintain the highest educational standards and conduct research with outcomes that meet society’s most difficult challenges and transform lives. That is why The USC Social Work Initiative is so important.” 

Faculty and staff members Anthony Hassan, director of the Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families; Ferol Mennen, associate professor in the school’s Children, Youth and Families department; and Esther Gillies, president of the California Social Welfare Archives, spoke about their respective areas of work, which fall under the initiative’s funding priorities. The campaign is focused on three critical areas: distinction and diversity of students; faculty and academic leadership; and applied science, research and innovation. Funds raised will provide the investment necessary to develop highly trained practitioners, visionary leaders and influential programs to provide transformative services to communities.

Recent gifts include the endowment of a military social work scholarship fund by Pamela and Mark Mischel, parents of Alyson Mischel, MSW ’00, and adjunct assistant professor; support for the child welfare work of the Children’s Data Network from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation; and the endowment of the Cleofas and Victor Ramirez Professor of Practice, Policy, Research and Advocacy for the Latino Population by Helen Ramirez, MSW ’59.

The USC Social Work Initiative is part of the Campaign for the University of Southern California, a multiyear effort to raise $6 billion for the university’s academic, community and capital priorities. The campaign has raised more than $4 billion since its launch in 2011.