Types of Gifts

When you make a gift to the USC School of Social Work, you have tremendous flexibility in determining how the funds will be used, as well as many options for giving. Please contact the School of Social Work’s Office of External Relations to explore giving opportunities

Unrestricted Gifts
Unrestricted gifts to the School of Social Work allow us to allocate funds wherever need is greatest and to take advantage of unique opportunities as they arise.

Directed Gifts
Directed gifts allow you to designate your gift to a specific program or priority area. When you make a directed gift, you enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting a program that is personally meaningful to you.

Cash Gifts
Cash gifts can be made using cash, credit or debit card, personal check, cashier's check, or money order made payable to the University of Southern California School of Social Work.

Annual Gifts
The School of Social Work relies on alumni and friends to contribute on an annual basis to support students and programs at the school.

Gifts of Stocks, Securities and Bonds
Gifts of stocks, securities and bonds provide considerable tax advantages when transferred to the School of Social Work before they are sold.

Gifts of Real Estate
Gifts of real estate, including personal residences, second homes, income property and vacant land, offer a wide variety of tax and other benefits.

Gifts of Personal Property
The school welcomes gifts of personal property, including residences, books, artwork and equipment. The charitable deduction is the market value of the item donated.

Planned Gifts
To learn about planned gifts, including bequests, life-income plans and other options for your estate, and for information on increasing your income, earning valuable income-tax deductions and reducing your estate taxes, please visit the USC Office of Planned Giving or contact our Office of External Relations.

Matching-Gift Programs
You may be able to increase the value of your charitable donation to the School of Social Work through your company’s matching-gift program. Some companies will match, double or even triple the amount you give. Just fill out and submit your company’s matching-gift form along with your gift.

Gift Pledges
The School of Social Work welcomes your gift through a pledge – a formal statement of intent to make a gift to the university. You may complete your gift by making regular payments over time, allowing you to give more generously than you originally may have considered. Each payment on your pledge is eligible for an income tax charitable deduction.

Endowed Gifts
An endowment is vital because it provides a lifetime source of income that continues to grow over time. In addition to providing permanent and everlasting support for the School of Social Work, it secures your legacy at USC forever. Endowment funds are strategically invested by USC, and the School of Social Work receives a portion of the earnings every year. An endowment may be named for an individual, a family or someone the donor wishes to honor.

Chairs and Professorships
A named chair or professorship recognizes scholarly excellence and is the highest honor the school can bestow upon its faculty.

Student Scholarships and Fellowships
Scholarship and fellowship support enhances the school’s ability to reward outstanding students and may provide student aid based on merit or financial need.

Additional Endowment Giving Opportunities

• Academic programs
• Research institutes and centers
• Classrooms
• Lecture series