$4M gift launches USC Dornsife endowment campaign for its Institute on California and the West
The Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West (ICW), a leading center for research, teaching, and public engagement on the history and culture of the American West, has received a $4.4 million pledge from the WHH Foundation. The six-year investment expands ICW’s community programming and launches an ambitious $10 million endowment campaign to sustain and grow the Institute’s impact for generations to come.
The gift marks a pivotal moment for ICW, based at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Founded in 2004 as a partnership between USC and The Huntington Library, ICW is dedicated to examining the history and culture of the American West. By using historical research to provide critical context for contemporary issues, ICW connects scholars, students, and community members through initiatives like the Los Angeles Service Academy (LASA), the Western Edition podcast, and dynamic public programming. Topics range from water and migration to public health and civic engagement.
“This tremendous investment in ICW allows us to expand our reach and deepen our public engagement in new and exciting ways,” said William Deverell, ICW founding director and USC Dornsife divisional dean for social sciences. “Just as importantly, it helps secure the Institute’s future — ensuring we can continue deepening public understanding of the West’s history and its relevance to our times, to foster a more informed and engaged society.”
Of the WHH Foundation’s landmark pledge, $2.4 million will launch ICW’s endowment campaign — the first contribution toward a $10 million goal. The remaining $2 million will fund immediate priorities, including expanding fellowships for emerging scholars, enhancing public programming and developing new digital initiatives.
“ICW is an organization that has been close to the foundation for just short of its 20 years of existence,” said Alyson Sattler, executive director of the WHH Foundation. “Its collaboration with the Huntington Gardens and Libraries is a tremendous example of what successful partnerships can bring to the world.”