Where should I apply for the grants?
Whether this is your first applying or are returning, please go to the Grant Application to get started.
Where can I get more information?
In addition to the FAQ’s below, USC Good Neighbors Grant information webinar will introduce you to the Good Neighbors grant process and answer questions in live discussion:
• Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm PST. Please view the webinar recording and the presentation deck for more information.
Visit our grant application website at https://sites.usc.edu/goodneighbors/grant-application/
Email us at neighbor@usc.edu
Grant Applicant “Office Hours” are available by appointment. Grant application questions are best handled with a pre-scheduled appointment. Appointments can be made through April 8, 2024. Please email us at neighbor@usc.edu to set up an appointment.
Why should I apply to be a Good Neighbors grantee?
Successful proposals will share in $1 million in grant funding focused in the neighborhoods surrounding the University of Southern California’s University Park and Health Sciences campuses. Additional benefits include non-monetary opportunities including capacity-building, information-sharing, and other resources.
What are the Good Neighbors grant priorities?
In 2024-25, the USC Good Neighbors will continue its mission to collaborate with faculty, staff, students, local schools and nonprofit organizations to have a visible, positive impact on the neighborhoods surrounding the University Park and Health Sciences campuses.
Successful grant applications will be equity-focused and directed toward meeting one or more of USC’s university-community initiatives:
EDUCATION: Improve the quality of K-12 education to enhance the quality of life for children and their families (e.g. college access, performing and visual arts, STEAM, financial literacy).
HEALTH AND WELLNESS: Improve individual’s health outcomes (e.g. obesity, diabetes, sports, exercise, nutrition, mental health for community members of all ages, conflict resolution, community, and youth service groups).
WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Promote economic development programs including certificate programs, job placement, workforce training, entrepreneurial and small business development, and employability enhancement for residents.
SUSTAINABILITY: Promote sustainability efforts to improve and make a positive impact on the environment in our local communities (e.g. services, support, and resources to address issues of food access, and support for unhoused individuals).
Note: All proposals will be given equal consideration. There is no specific advantage to supporting one or multiple priority areas.
What are the Good Neighbors Service areas around the University Park and Health Sciences campuses?
Organizations/programs serving the residents of and providing services within the Good Neighbors service areas are eligible to apply for funding. Additionally, funded programs can partner with any of the neighborhood schools within the Good Neighbors service areas as well as the USC Family of Schools. Please view our service area maps for locations:
What is the annual grant cycle?
The annual grant funding cycle is from July 1 to June 30.
When is the grant application deadline?
The deadline for the 2024-25 cycle Good Neighbors Grant application is Thursday, April 11, 2024, BEFORE 5 PM – Pacific Standard Time. The Common Grant Application system will automatically close the application submission function at 5 PM (PST). You may be allowed to continue working on the application form, but will not be able to submit after 5 PM (PST) on April 11th. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept late or incomplete applications.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Who can apply for the grants?
Anyone wishing to make a difference in the neighborhoods surrounding USC can apply with an existing or new partnership. Under the current circumstances, grant applications are being accepted from a single organization/applicant. Successful grantees will have the opportunity to demonstrate a complete partnership with a Lead Community Partner and Lead USC Partner at the time of the award. Grants may have more than two partners; they can include as many partners as are appropriate. USC Good Neighbors Grants are awarded to partnerships between USC staff, faculty, or academic/administrative units, student organizations (with campus advisor approval), and/or a community-based nonprofit organization, working together to support a Good Neighbors funding priority to address a community need(s) in a meaningful, measurable way.
What is a “Lead Community Partner?”
The Lead Community Partner will be a community-based, tax-exempt organization operating in the neighborhoods surrounding the University Park and/or Health Sciences campuses (e.g. nonprofit community center, K-12 school, nonprofit technology center). Multiple partners may be involved with the grant. The Lead Community Partner will serve as the recipient for the grant funds unless a different fiscal agent is named to manage the grant funds. The Lead Community Partner’s tax determination letter is requested as proof of nonprofit 501(c)3 status.
What is a “Lead USC Partner?”
The Lead USC Partner represents an employee of USC who is benefits-eligible, a group of employees, student organization, unit, department, school, or combination thereof who is eligible to apply for a USC Good Neighbors grant. The Lead USC Partner will be responsible for signing the grant agreement and meeting the terms of a grant award. In addition, if the Lead USC Partner is a student organization, they must have the approval of their faculty/staff advisor who will share responsibility in the oversight of the project, including the finances associated with the grant.
Do you accept new partnerships?
Absolutely yes! We encourage new ideas, new organizations, and innovative approaches. Partnerships should be as balanced as possible, sharing responsibility, resources, good communication, overall grant implementation, and accountability.
I have a great idea. Can I apply without a partner?
Yes. You may initiate a proposal with an unconfirmed partnership for the 2024-25 grant cycle. Under the current pandemic circumstances, flexibility will be given to accepting grant applications that do not yet specify a complete partnership (Lead Community Partner and Lead USC Partner) at the time of application submission. Applications with incomplete partnerships will be considered in the grant review. However, university-community partnerships are required to award a successful proposal. To receive funding, successful grant applications will be required to confirm a Lead USC Partner, a Lead Community Partner, and an approved nonprofit fiscal agent.
Please contact USC Good Neighbors for assistance in identifying potential partners for your proposal. Again, a complete partnership is required for a successful application.
Can this be an exploratory planning request?
Unfortunately, Good Neighbors does not fund planning, assessments, or research projects. Successful proposals should encompass direct service, ready to launch when the grant period begins on July 1st.
We have a current Good Neighbors Grant. Can I re-apply?
Yes, although funding of past programs is not guaranteed. There are currently no restrictions on the number of times a partnership can apply for a grant.
What if I am not a nonprofit? I am a business. Can I submit a grant application?
USC Good Neighbors Grants are partnerships supporting direct services in support of residents within the Good Neighbors service areas. Partnerships may contain more than just a single lead community and USC partner. Good Neighbors encourages broad participation from all members of our community, including local businesses that are partnering with a nonprofit and meet the eligibility requirements. We are happy to assist you in developing possible partnerships. Please contact us with any questions at: neighbor@usc.edu
I want to open/expand my business. Can I apply for a grant?
Unfortunately, we are unable to support for-profit ventures. USC Good Neighbors grants cannot provide capital for local businesses. If you are working with a local nonprofit to develop a job training internship for local youth or return-to-work parents, the program would qualify for a grant submission. You can be part of a partnership with a nonprofit and a USC lead partner. Unfortunately, Good Neighbors cannot provide direct funding to grow your business. We can, however, connect you with other small business development/capacity-building opportunities through USC Civic Engagement and Economic Partnerships. Contact us if you are interested.
Our office is located outside of the service area in Hollywood/Glendale/Sacramento/Washington D.C. and we want to propose a new program to take place at our site. Can we be funded?
Unfortunately, Good Neighbors is unable to fund direct service outside of the currently mapped areas surrounding the Health Sciences and University Park campuses. USC has a proud, worldwide presence with a broad array of university collaborations. USC Good Neighbors Grants remain focused on collaborating with local partners serving the communities adjacent to our two campuses (View service area maps: Health Sciences Campus map / University Park Campus map).
Can I pay non-USC individuals from Good Neighbors Grant funds?
Yes, as long as they are not a USC employee. You may hire USC students, community members, and others. The approved rate for hourly wages is from minimum wage to $30 per hour.
We have a current Good Neighbors Grant. Can I apply again?
Yes, current or previous grantees may apply for a grant. Due to the competitive nature of the grant program and limited funding available, funding of past programs is not guaranteed. There are no restrictions on the number of times a partnership can apply for a grant.
FISCAL / BUDGET INFORMATION
How are grant funds distributed?
Successful proposals will generally receive their awards in two installments: the first installment upon completion of all funding requirements in July 2024, and the second installment in January 2025, upon completion of the midyear report.
Are there expenses Good Neighbors grants will not cover?
Compensation to USC employees: No form of a stipend or other compensation (cash/check, gift cards, etc.) to USC faculty or staff is permitted to be paid out of USC Good Neighbors funds. USC faculty and staff time/effort can and should be documented as in-kind support.
“Overhead” fees: Budgets may not include a blanket percentage for “overhead” for either partner. Neither USC nor the community lead partner may collect an administrative percentage of Good Neighbors funds for grant handling, however, administrative expenses could be documented as an in-kind contribution.
Businesses: Good Neighbors does not fund for-profit ventures.
Capital projects: Good Neighbors funds direct services and cannot fund capital efforts.
Re-granting/Sub-contracts: Good Neighbors Grant funds cannot be redistributed or re-granted.
Research, Exploratory Surveys or Assessment proposals: Good Neighbors is unable to fund research or assessment projects. Grants should encompass direct services, ready to launch when the grant period begins on July 1, 2024, should the program be awarded.
Can I pay non-USC individuals from Good Neighbors grant funds?
Yes. You may hire USC students, community members, and others. The approved rate for hourly wages is from minimum wage to $30 per hour. Individuals hired with Good Neighbors funds cannot be current USC employees.
How much of my Good Neighbors Budget can be designated for operating and program costs?
Good Neighbors grants support operating and program costs at 50% for each per funding request.
Who receives the grant check? Can the USC partner administer the grant directly?
Funds are disbursed only to the nonprofit community partner or to a pre-approved fiscal agent.
Grant disbursements may not be issued to USC accounts. The USC partner may not be the direct administrator for a Good Neighbors grant. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions.
My community partner is a local elementary school. Can LAUSD/my USC department receive the grant funds directly?
CommunityPartners.org serves as the approved fiscal agent for Good Neighbors grants working with LAUSD schools as the lead community partner, and who lack a nonprofit co-partner with the capacity to handle the grant. USC schools and departments are prohibited from serving as the fiscal agent for Good Neighbors grants.
Any partnership considering the use of Community Partners fiscal agent services should contact them PRIOR TO SUBMITTING YOUR PROPOSAL, as it will impact your budget submission.
Community Partners Contact Information:
Lupe Solorio, Vice President for Capacity Development and Sustainability
Phone: (213) 346-3208
Email: lsolorio@communitypartners.org
Website: http://www.communitypartners.org
What documents are needed for the application?
Required documents include:
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- Lead Community Partner’s Tax Determination Letter* (K-12 schools are exempt)
- Program Budget Sheet provided with grant application (upload a single document as MS Excel)
- Budget Justification (upload a single, narrative document as MS Word)
- Thumbnail biographies of key community and university partners involved with implementing the grant and named in the grant application (upload single document as MS Word or PDF)
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* In the event the partnership is still unconfirmed, the Tax Determination Letter will be required for a successful grant application, prior to funding.
SELECTION PROCESS
How are grantees selected?
Grant applications must follow grant application instructions, be complete, and include all required attachments. Funding decisions are at the discretion of the Good Neighbors Grant Review Committee. The USC Good Neighbors Grant Review Committee is composed of approximately 30 staff and faculty representing a diverse cross-section of university schools/departments, backgrounds, and relevant areas of expertise from the Health Sciences and University Park campuses. To ensure freedom from conflicts of interest, individuals with any direct affiliation with a proposed or current USC Good Neighbors grant program are unable to serve as reviewers.
Can I include USC students in my project?
Additional positive consideration is given for thoughtful and appropriate resourcing of USC student support as in-kind, volunteer, and staff in program delivery and/or implementation.
We are reapplying, is there anything special that should be included in my proposal?
Returning grant applicants are asked to clearly illustrate how the program is innovating, changing, evolving, and developing additional funding sources. Providing examples of key accomplishments within the last 1-2 years in the appropriate section is key to the grant review. Unfortunately, resubmission of a previous grant proposal does not guarantee funding.
Will I be able to track the progress of our proposal through the review process?
Unfortunately, not directly. The Common Grant Application system will generate an acknowledgment of your submitted proposal. All proposals will be treated fairly, go through a blind review process, and will be reviewed independently by three reviewers.
What is the acceptance rate?
The annual number of grants funded varies based on the amount of funding that is available, the number of proposals received, and the size of the grant requests. Recently, between 45 and 55 proposals have been funded annually from up to 90 proposals received.
When will we be notified about the final decision?
Grant awards will be announced in July 2024. A grantee orientation will take place in July 2024, followed by the first disbursement of funds.
What is the maximum amount for a Good Neighbors grant?
Past grant funding has varied from $5,700 to $65,000 with the average grant at $25,000. New grant applications are encouraged to apply at the average grant range. Every proposal is different. While there is no technical limit to the grant request, be aware that the Good Neighbors Grant Program is competitive and the Grant Review Committee are careful stewards of their colleagues’ contributions, are very thoughtful in committing funds to proposals, and seek the maximum impact of the available funds. This should be your guideline in selecting your grant request amount.
When is the deadline for application?
The deadline for the application is Thursday, April 11, 2024, before 5 PM, Pacific Standard Time. Please plan accordingly. We encourage you to submit your online grant application before the deadline to prevent any unfortunate incidents with technology issues. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Unfortunately, we are unable to make exceptions.
For any additional information, please email questions to: neighbor@usc.edu