USC Credit Union Community Foundation

USC Credit Union Community Foundation

Supporting Wildfire Recovery and Empowering Our Community

As wildfires continue to ravage our beloved Southern California communities, families and individuals are facing devastating losses. Homes have been destroyed, livelihoods disrupted, and countless people are left in desperate need of support. At the USC Credit Union Community Foundation (501(c)(3)), we believe in the power of community to rebuild and restore hope during these challenging times.

The USC Credit Union Community Foundation was founded to empower our community with financial knowledge and confidence. Your support fuels financial literacy programs, scholarships, and community initiatives that inspire positive financial habits and open new opportunities for all.

 

Foundation Pillars:

Donate Today

Foster Hope and Brighter Futures with Your Donation!

Contributions made to our 501(c)(3) organization are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the specific deductibility of your contribution.

Financial Literacy

Empowering Financial Well-Being for All

Financial literacy is a cornerstone for building a resilient and thriving community. The USC Credit Union Community Foundation is dedicated to equipping our community with the resources and knowledge necessary to navigate your financial journey with confidence and success. Whether community members are just starting their financial journey or are looking to improve their financial habits, we have curated a comprehensive series of workshops tailored to meet many unique needs.

Financial Education Workshop Series

  • Workshops covering essential personal and business finance topics, from building healthy financial habits and budgeting for success to understanding credit, fraud prevention, and homeownership pathways. Tailored to meet unique needs and interests, these workshops are available in English and Spanish to promote financial literacy across our community.
  • Empower yourself with the tools to make informed financial decisions, protect against fraud, and explore pathways such as homeownership and higher education funding.
  • Community leaders and organizations are encouraged to partner with us to bring these valuable resources to as many people as possible.

Together, let’s build a financially stronger community. 

Capacity Building

Building Stronger Communities Together

USC Credit Union Community Foundation empowers community-based organizations (CBOs) and nonprofits to create lasting, positive change. We believe that when we invest in our community leaders, we strengthen the entire community. Through a range of capacity-building initiatives, we offer financial support and professional growth opportunities.

Partner with Us: Sponsor Events and Fund Community Impact

Your organization can be pivotal in building stronger communities by sponsoring our events or providing small grants to support CBOs and nonprofit partners. Whether through financial contributions or event sponsorships, your investment helps community leaders expand their impact and reach their goals.

By funding these efforts, you enable:

  • Direct support to local organizations: Your sponsorship allows us to offer small funding amounts to CBOs and nonprofits, helping them amplify their services and tackle pressing community challenges.
  • Opportunities for professional growth: Sponsors support our Community Leaders Learning Exchange, which provides community leaders with access to valuable knowledge and tools for success.

Community Leaders Learning Exchange: Empowering Nonprofit Leaders

Our Community Leaders Learning Exchange was created in response to insights from our 2023 Think Tank sessions, where nonprofit and community leaders voiced the need for more professional development and networking opportunities. To meet this need, we host quarterly convenings that offer community leaders a platform for growth, collaboration, and dialogue.

What to Expect:

  • Expert-Led Sessions: We bring in subject matter experts to share actionable insights and knowledge to help organizations thrive.
  • Collaborative Networking: Our convenings foster meaningful relationship-building, encouraging leaders to exchange ideas and create opportunities for collaboration.
  • Organizational Support: We explore ways our credit union can better support our partners, mainly through financial capacity building.

Through these efforts, we are committed to offering financial support and creating spaces for community leaders to learn, grow, and work together toward a brighter future.

 

Scholarship Fund

Achieving higher education can be a life-changing milestone, opening the doors to opportunities that transform an individual’s future and the community they come from. With this in mind, we are excited to announce our focus on supporting deserving high school students in our community through the USC Credit Union Community Foundation Scholarship.

The scholarship aims to empower exceptional foster youth from our community. As our scholarship fund grows, we will share more information about the eligibility criteria, application process, and selection of recipients. We encourage community members and leaders to spread the word and stay engaged as we develop this vital resource for our youth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Pathways to Success Scholarship

The Pathways to Success Scholarship is a $1,000 award offered by the USC Credit Union Community Foundation. It supports graduating high school seniors who are foster youth and have shown academic achievement, leadership, and dedication to community service.

You are eligible if you: 

  • Are a graduating high school senior.
  • Will be attending a college, university, or trade school in Fall 2025.
  • Are a foster youth (must provide documentation).
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Live in Los Angeles County.
  • Are actively involved in community service, leadership, or extracurricular activities.
  • Can demonstrate financial need. 

A total of 15 students will receive a $1,000 scholarship each. 

You must submit: 

  • Completed Application Form
  • Official Academic Transcript
  • Letter of Recommendation (from a teacher, counselor, or community leader)
  • Personal Statement Essay (500–750 words)
  • Proof of Community Involvement (e.g., volunteer hours, letter from organization)
  • Documentation of Financial Need
  • Foster Youth Dependency/Wardship Document 

Your essay (500–750 words) should highlight your academic goals, personal achievements, leadership experience, and how your community involvement has shaped you. Be sure to include how this scholarship would support your educational journey.

You will need to provide documentation as outlined in the application. This may include a copy of your FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR), proof of income, or other verification documents.

Submit a Dependency/Wardship Document from the court or a verified agency that confirms your status as a foster youth. 

The deadline is June 20, 2025, or until capacity is reached — whichever comes first. We recommend submitting your application as early as possible. 

Follow the instructions on the application form and submit all required materials before the deadline. The full application can be found by following the application link. 

Scholarship recipients will be notified by email using the contact information provided in the application. 

If you have any questions or need help with your application, email us at: 📧 communityfoundation@usccreditunion.org 

Join us in transforming lives!

Your donation to the USC Credit Union Community Foundation creates positive change in our community by fostering hope, inspiration, and financial well-being. Together, we can build brighter futures. Donate today!

 

Get Involved or Learn More.

Complete the form below to learn more about the USC Community Foundation’s strategic pillars.

We Thank Our Fellow Credit Unions and Partners for Their Generous Donations

USC Credit Union Community Foundation Southern California Wildfire Relief Fund Donors as of 4/8/2025

We Thank Our Fellow Credit Unions and Partners for Their Generous Donations

Contributions to our 501(c)(3) organization are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the specific deductibility of your contribution.