Apply now to participate in a new $60,000 grants program specifically for nonprofit organizations that are operating social enterprises in Southern California. The program is the “hands-on” component of a course which will be taking place at USC this fall, called Philanthropy and Social Impact. Offered through the USC Marshall’s Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab (BSEL), undergraduate students will be studying the roles of philanthropy and social impact in social enterprise business models. The program balances the need for students to gather first-hand information with the reality that nonprofit organizations have limited time for academic exercises. We are seeking nonprofit organizations of all sizes that have been earning income from the sale of a mission-related product or service for at least three months. We intend to assemble a broad array of social enterprise models at various stages of development. How the Program Works: The nonprofit organizations that are selected will become case studies for the students. First the students will research them on line and submit summary descriptions. Following discussion, half of the organizations will be selected for further research– a site visit, a deeper dive into how the organization works, it’s importance to the community and how it might utilize a grant of $10,000-$20,000–which will be presented and vetted by the class. Six organizations will be selected as finalists for grants. The students will then work with the finalists to develop a “pitch” for funding. These pitches will be presented in mid-November. Thus, if an organization is selected, what we ask of you is proportional to your chances of receiving grant funding-nothing in Round 1, a site visit if you make it to Round 2 and a meeting or two to help develop the pitch in Round 3. We look forward to introducing your organization to the many people participating inĀ BSEL’s courses, events, and career placement activities and to inspiring students with the innovative and impactful ways that nonprofits generate earned income. The simple (15 minute) application form is available on line: Applications will be reviewed & accepted on a rolling basis. (All participants will be selected by July 31st) | 
