About CRCC

The USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture advances the understanding of religion in society, and supports faith and community leaders in becoming full partners in the work of positive social change.

CRCC’s unique team consists of scholars, journalists and faith leaders. Our core work is in two related areas: We conduct empirical research to understand the power and impact of religion in the US and globally; and we make this knowledge applicable and available through books, media, reports, public events, and training and mentoring programs.

CRCC hosts various initiatives that help leaders realize their potential and transform their organization so that they can have a more effective and sustained impact on community health and wellbeing. Our current programs focus on Compelling Preaching, Economic Empowerment and Thriving Congregations.

CRCC also provides consulting and evaluation work to philanthropy, business, public officials and elected leadership to enhance their engagement with faith communities on social issues.

Our work has shown that spirituality is the force that compels many people to confront the persistent challenges that face humanity. Religious traditions provide a moral vision for a more just world, as well as the institutional and social capital required to create positive changes in society. Yet often, religious leaders and groups operate in isolation — from each other and from others seeking similar goals. We also see researchers as being isolated from the communities they study.

As a center at a major research institution, CRCC connects communities and leaders with the academy and private and public sectors. We create inclusive spaces for people of good will from across the spectrum of religious traditions to learn and grow together.

Our team of scholars and practitioners understands its role as bringing insights on religion to the public in a way that it can be applied in service of the greater good.

The idea for CRCC germinated in 1992, as the conflagrations of the Los Angeles riots were just beginning to subside. A number of civic, corporate and inter-religious coalitions were formed to heal the deeply divided city and to address the underlying social problems that had provided tinder for the flames.

Watch The Story of USC CRCC (produced in 2016)

CRCC’s founders set out to research the role of faith groups in the public square following the uprising. They wrote a report titled “Politics of the Spirit,” documenting the efforts  of congregations and other faith-based organizations to bring the City of Los Angeles back together.

The Center for Religion and Civic Culture emerged from this research project as a way for the university to continue its commitment to the community. From its inception, the research conducted at the Center has informed the development of programs to build the capacity of faith leaders to pursue civic engagement and community development work.

In 2002, CRCC was named a Pew Center of Excellence, one of ten university-based research centers to receive that recognition.

The USC provost invited the Rev. Dr. Cecil L. Murray, one of the city’s foremost leaders through the 1992 civil unrest, to join the faculty and the Center in 2004. Until his retirement from USC, Rev. Murray trained more than 1,000 faith leaders to continue his efforts of faith-based civic engagement and community development. His example continues to inspire our efforts to help faith leaders and their congregations thrive and make an impact “beyond the walls” of the religious sanctuary.

CRCC also hosts the American Muslim Civic Leadership Initiative. AMCLI emerged from a research project and convening of young Muslim leaders from around the country in 2006, and has become a network of 400+ American Muslims leaders.

CRCC has managed more than $47 million in funding from corporations, foundations and government agencies for research, consulting, evaluation and capacity-building programming.

CRCC Leadership

• Richard Flory (2021 – present)
• Brie Loskota (2016-2021)
• Donald E. Miller (1996 – 2016)