Center for Philanthropy and Public Policy, USC

The Center for Philanthropy and Public Policy (CPPP) promotes more effective philanthropy and strengthens the nonprofit sector through research that informs philanthropic decision making and public policy to advance problem solving.

CPPP acts as a catalyst for understanding and action at the intersection of the public, private, and nonprofit sectors by providing information and analysis that is of value to decision makers in the three sectors.

CPPP does this in two ways. First, it conducts research on philanthropy, volunteerism, and the nonprofit sector.  Second, it communicates the findings and their implications as well as surfaces emerging issues by convening key decision makers in forums, roundtables, and a distinguished speaker series.

Through research and communications, the Center provides information about the changing philanthropic landscape, profiles the resulting challenges for the sector and for society, and stimulates conversations among the three sectors to foster understanding and to advance public problem solving.

Among the CPPP’s public offerings is the Distinguished Speaker Series, which brings together leaders in philanthropy, public policy, government, and academia to discuss issues, research and trends. Among the recent speakers were Jennifer and Peter Buffett of the NoVo Foundation and Sally Osberg of the Skoll Foundation.