FAQs

(1.)  The Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans & Military Families relies on charitable donations to further its work with veterans and military families. In order to meet its core objectives, CIR’s most pressing financial need is for ongoing operational support of approximately $1 million per year. While the fundraising focus, is on creating an endowed fund for the center, philanthropic gifts of all sizes are needed to sustain its operations. Beyond that, there are other costs associated with CIR that would benefit from additional endowed funds. These include endowed funds for the center’s directorship, special research projects, enhanced technology efforts and endowed professorships that focus on military curriculum training and development.

(2.)  The Yellow Ribbon Scholarship Program is a scholarship “match” system in which the United States Veterans Administration (VA) matches the amount awarded by the participating academic institution. The School of Social Work awards eligible veterans $10,000, which is matched by $10,000 from the VA for a total award of $20,000 per academic year. These funds can be used to cover all charges related to tuition, fees and any additional costs directly related to educational expenses, and the scholarship is renewable for both of the two years of the full-time Master of Social Work program. The Yellow Ribbon Scholarship Fund is also designed to provide scholarships for military spouses and for select veterans who do not meet the eligibility requirements of the VA match program.

Restricted gifts allow you to designate your gift to either CIR or the Yellow Ribbon Scholarship Program. You may also direct your gift to specific populations, geographic areas and branches of the service.. When you make a restricted gift, you will have the personal satisfaction of knowing you are supporting a program that is especially meaningful to you.

If you are a community stakeholder and represent an organization committed to issues affecting local veterans, you may be interested in attending a meeting of the Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative or joining its mailing list. For details, contact Nathan Graeser at .

If you are interested in supporting CIR’s goals and are seeking employment opportunities, check the USC jobs portal frequently for open positions. If you’re an MSW student at USC, you may be eligible to complete your field internship here or help on a research project.