Giving Programs
We advance the success of our nonprofit partners by awarding grants, fostering collaboration, and leveraging our professional network.
In all of our work we draw on the collective experience and expertise of our Founders and Executive Director in building successful organizations that drive social change.
Grants
The Fox Foundation provides program, general operating, and capital grants to nonprofits whose work aligns with our vision and values in one of four focus areas:
Economic Mobility
Eligible nonprofits disrupt the cycle of generational poverty and support economic mobility for people belonging to historically underinvested in groups by:
- increasing access to meaningful employment and creating career pathways;
- providing professional development and certification opportunities; and/or
- fostering entrepreneurial knowledge and skills.
Social Justice Advocacy
Eligible nonprofits contribute to positive systems change that uplift women, people of color, and other historically underinvested in or discriminated against groups by:
- raising public awareness of social issues and inequities;
- providing free or affordable legal services; and/or
- engaging in social justice policy development and advocacy.
Educational Equity
Eligible nonprofits advance education equity for children and youth impacted by trauma, poverty, racism, ableism, and other forms of systemic bias by:
- increasing access to high-quality PK-12th grade academic enrichment programs;
- promoting college admission and graduation; and/or
- offering career and technical education programs.
Health & Wellness Support
Eligible nonprofits contribute to the immediate and long-term health and wellbeing of individuals, communities, and the planet by:
- promoting environmental justice and sustainability;
- advancing health equity and increasing access to mental and physical healthcare for people from all backgrounds and in all stages of life; and/or
- increasing access to safe, affordable housing and healthy food.
Special Initiatives
USC Social Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Seminar
Laura Fox and Ben Van De Bunt developed the Social Entrepreneurship seminar in partnership with the USC Marshall School of Business and Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab to provide undergraduates with hands-on experience in advancing social enterprise and entrepreneurship. Laura and Ben teach the class together with Fox Foundation Executive Director, Kristen Paglia. In this course, students collaboratively determine how to invest $85,000 in local nonprofit social enterprises to help them grow earned revenue streams, and learn about a broad range of models, strategies and approaches for addressing social challenges. Students also have the opportunity to engage in conversation with notable entrepreneurs and cause leaders. Going into its 7th year, this course has had a direct positive impact on the Los Angeles community by providing nearly a half-million dollars in grants to support the growth of sustainable earned revenue streams for 30 nonprofit organizations.
Since 2017, this seminar has provided inspiration and a practical foundation for a new generation of social impact leaders. It has had a direct positive impact on the Los Angeles community by providing over a half-million dollars in grants to 36 nonprofit organizations successfully addressing social issues while growing sustainable revenue streams.
USC Social Enterprise Prize Winners:
Hayes Barnard
Sustainability Fellows Program
Named in honor of Hayes Barnard, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of GoodLeap, this Fox Foundation initiative was inspired by Hayes’ groundbreaking work in sustainable business practices and belief that “there is a better way to care for the planet and empower people with sustainable solutions across the globe.” In partnership with the USC Marshall School of Business and led by Dr. Christopher Bresnahan, Associate Professor of Clinical Management and Organization, the HBSF offers an opportunity for promising undergraduates to begin their journey leading organizations into the field of sustainability.
Eight student Fellows from five different majors across campus participated in the initiative’s inaugural year. The Fellows enrolled in program-tailored courses for all four semesters, complemented by monthly sustainability community guest speakers who delved into relevant issues. In the final semester, the Fellows engaged in a 15-week practicum experience, allowing them to apply their knowledge through hands-on sustainability work. In addition to engaging in leadership development, sustainable business, and social entrepreneurship courses, the Fellows had the opportunity to learn from C-level Sustainability Officers in a number of fields and complete a capstone practicum within a company demonstrating excellence in sustainable business practices.
Hayes Barnard with USC Marshall Dean, Geoffrey Garrett
Fox Foundation Change Accelerator
Launching February 2025, the Fox Foundation will invite a small cohort of trailblazing nonprofit leaders to participate in our Change Accelerator program. This three-year program is designed to help small (under $3M operating budget) nonprofits already demonstrating significant social impact to innovate and scale an income-earning social enterprise. Change Accelerator participants will receive a multi-year general operating grant and collaborate with a network of professional advisors to develop their inherent strengths as nonprofit executives, and boost the financial capacity of their organizations.
Application to the Fox Foundation Change Accelerator is by invitation only.
The Fox Foundation partners with nonprofit and social enterprise organizations based primarily in the Greater Los Angeles area committed to reducing systemic barriers people face in reaching their full human potential.
