USF California Prize for Service and the Common Good

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the University of San Francisco California Prize for Service and the Common Good?
A: The University of San Francisco California Prize for Service and the Common Good is awarded for significant service to the poor or marginalized and/or groundbreaking achievements in pursuit of the common good for all members of society. The prize celebrates the exceptional service work being done in our state and reinforces the university's mission to educate minds and hearts to change the world. Each recipient of the annual prize receives a $10,000 award and handcrafted medal.

Q: Why did USF create the California Prize for Service and the Common Good?
A: The University of San Francisco California Prize was created to recognize an organization or individual who models selfless service in pursuit of the common good. Nominees must be based in California, or whose primary focus of service is in California. The dual purpose of the prize is to honor a group or member of the California civic community, while highlighting the extraordinary work of USF’s students and faculty in the area of community-based learning. The University’s emphasis on service integrates academics and social justice seamlessly, working both locally and globally in pursuit of equality for all citizens.

Q: What does USF hope to achieve by bestowing this annual California Prize for Service and the Common Good?
A: With the continuation of this award, USF has the opportunity to spotlight people who are defying the status quo and working to enrich the lives of all members of our society. By honoring people who are using their talents to help educate and serve the greater community, we are providing real examples to USF and beyond of individuals using their values and sensitivity to be men and women for others.

Q: How does this award benefit USF students, the Bay Area, and the global community?
A: USF is dedicated to the goal of inspiring and preparing students to pursue lives and careers steeped in ethical service, no matter what career they may choose. Proceeds from the California Prize Dinner (Tuesday, November 1, 2011) will directly benefit USF student programs-including internships and community-based learning projects at home and abroad. This will enable the expansion of programming and service learning opportunities for all undergraduate students.

The funds raised will be used to place more students in educational opportunities with Bay Area non-profits such as the Bay Area Red Cross and the St. Anthony Foundation. These funds will also enable the university to place more students in internships with local, state, and federal government. Finally, USF will be able to continue expanding international service initiatives such as the dance and computer science programs in Tacna, Peru, sustainable development internships in Uganda and Bolivia, the Architecture and Community Design program in which students have designed and helped build a library for street children in Lusaka, Zambia, housing for impoverished families living on the outskirts of Leon, Mexico, and a community center in Nicaragua.

Q: Who is the 2011 recipient of the University of San Francisco California Prize?
A: We are delighted to announce the 2011 University of San Francisco California Prize recipient is Daniel Lurie, founder and CEO of Tipping Point Community. Tipping Point works to eliminate poverty in the Bay Area by finding, funding and partnering with the best non-profit organizations that serve low-income families and individuals. Tipping Point also provides their non-profit partners with the technology, strategic planning, executive coaching and communications tools needed to grow and increase their effectiveness.

Q: How does Daniel Lurie work to promote service and the common good?
A: Under his leadership, Tipping Point has successfully blended entrepreneurship with philanthropy, and created and exciting new model for working with community-based non-profits. Dedicated to supporting non-profits that are on the frontlines in combating poverty, the Tipping Point Community has helped educate, employ, house and assist nearly 150,000 Bay Area people in need.

Q: How was Tipping Point created?
A: Before founding Tipping Point, Daniel worked for the Bill Bradley Presidential Campaign, Accenture Consulting and the Robin Hood Foundation in New York City. The tragedy of the September 11 terror attacks fell within Daniel’s first week of work at Robin Hood. He was humbled to witness Robin Hood’s relief efforts to lift up the city once more. Daniel used his time in graduate school to adapt Robin Hood’s organizational model to fit his Bay Area home. In 2005, Lurie started Tipping Point with a hundred donors and the support of board members Chris James, Ronnie Lott, and Katie Schwab Paige. They shared the vision for a better Bay Area and believed that we can all play a part in stamping out poverty.

Q: What is unique about Tipping Point Community?
A: The University of San Francisco California Prize is being awarded to Daniel Lurie for his innovative work with Tipping Point. The award honors the philosophy of the organization, and the work being done on behalf of thousands of Bay Area residents in poverty.

The Tipping Point model finds, funds and partners with the most effective nonprofit groups connecting Bay Area individuals and families to the services needed to break the cycle of poverty and achieve economic self-sufficiency. Fiercely dedicated to helping those who have devoted their lives to assisting others, Tipping Point has screened hundreds of non-profits and made more than 300 in-depth site visits to provide essential funding and management support to 29 of the best poverty-fighting organizations in the Bay Area.

Tipping Point is the only non-profit organization on the West Coast whose board underwrites all operating costs. That means 100 percent of every dollar donated goes directly to the most capable poverty-fighting organizations in the Bay Area. Tipping Point has no endowment, starting their fundraising efforts from zero each year. All the funds raised go out their door and directly to innovative poverty-fighting organizations within 12 months.

It is this due diligence in finding the best organizations serving low-income families and then providing them with the dollars and support needed to continue their mission is what sets Tipping Point apart, and embodies the essence of the Prize.

Q: Who has been honored in previous years with the University San Francisco California Prize?
A: In 2008, the inaugural prize was awarded to Mr. Lynn Fritz, a social entrepreneur and founder of the Fritz Institute. The Fritz Institute finds innovative systems and structures that improve the delivery of life-saving services to victims of natural disasters. Our 2009 recipient was Ms. Alice Waters, renowned chef and champion of food grown locally. She is credited with helping found the "slow food" movement that has revolutionized how we think about sustainable and organic agriculture. Last year, the Prize was awarded to One PacificCoast Bank and Foundation (formerly OneCalifornia), an Oakland-based community development organization comprised of a bank and non-profit foundation that seeks to improve economic opportunity for low- and moderate-income communities throughout California.

Q: Who are the decision makers responsible for choosing the recipient of the University of San Francisco California Prize for Service and the Common Good?
A: The prize recipient is chosen by a jury comprised of several distinguished Californians including:

Corey Cook	Director, The Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good, Assistant Professor of Politics, University of San Francisco
Rose Guilbault	Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Publishing for AAA of Northern California, Nevada and Utah
David Lyon	Founding CEO/President of Public Policy Institute of California
Patrick Murphy	Professor of Politics, University of San Francisco
Stephen A. Privett, S.J.	President, University of San Francisco
Kevin Starr	State Librarian Emeritus, Professor of History, University of Southern California
Suzanne Troxel	Trustee, University of San Francisco

Q: Can you tell me about the November 1 event?
A: Together with members of the Tipping Point Community, Daniel Lurie will be honored Tuesday, November 1, at a dinner hosted on the University of San Francisco campus. During the dinner, Lurie will be recognized for his groundbreaking work, and presented with the California Prize medal. The medal is hand-designed by well-known California medal artist, Heidi Nahser Fink. Ms. Fink’s work has been shown internationally and she has been commissioned to design one-of-a-kind pieces for major motion pictures.

Q: What is the table set-up at the USF California Prize Dinner?
A: Tables at the USF California Prize Dinner are comprised of ten people: eight guests, a USF student and a USF faculty member. This longstanding tradition provides guests at each table the opportunity to meet some great new people and learn firsthand about USF's service learning programs from those most involved in the work. By engaging in conversation with USF students and faculty over dinner, guests will gain a greater understanding of the types of experiences supported by California Prize proceeds and how USF’s focus on service is an integral part of the university’s mission.

Q: How can I purchase tickets for the November 1 dinner honoring Tipping Point’s Daniel Lurie and USF’s student programs?
A: Thanks to our phenomenal supporters, the 2011 University of San Francisco California Prize Dinner honoring Daniel Lurie has reached full capacity. Ticket sales for the Nov. 1 evening at USF are now closed. With profound gratitude, we thank you for your interest and generosity. We are inspired by the overwhelming response we have received, and we are proud of the rapidly growing recognition the USF California Prize is receiving in the community.

Q: I am unable to attend the Prize Dinner on November 1, but would like to contribute to USF’s service learning programs. Is that possible?
A: Yes. Please visit https://secure.imodules.com/s/1307/2colgiving.aspx?sid=1307&gid=1&pgid=427&dids=27 to make your tax deductible donation.

Q: How can I learn more about the University of San Francisco California Prize?
A: For more information about the University of San Francisco California Prize for Service and the Common Good, or for details about the November 1 dinner event, please visit www.californiaserviceprize.org.