University of San Francisco Announces Winner of 2011 California Prize

SAN FRANCISCO, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of San Francisco (USF) is pleased to announce the recipient of its 2011 California Prize for Service and the Common Good:  Daniel Lurie, CEO and founder of Tipping Point Community. USF will honor Mr. Lurie and his organization at a gala dinner on Tuesday, November 1, on the USF campus in the heart of San Francisco.

Tipping Point works to eliminate poverty in the Bay Area by finding, funding and partnering with the best nonprofit organizations that serve low-income families and individuals. Beyond dollars, Tipping Point also provides its nonprofit partners with the technology, strategic planning, executive coaching and communication tools needed to grow and increase their effectiveness.

"Daniel Lurie has shown the momentum a single individual can create in our community," said USF President Stephen A. Privett, S.J. "He is young, smart, articulate, and passionate about stamping out poverty. Under his leadership, Tipping Point has successfully blended entrepreneurship with philanthropy and created an exciting new model for working with community-based nonprofits. It is clear to me that USF and Tipping Point share common values, most notably, making service to the most vulnerable members of society a priority."

The University of San Francisco California Prize is awarded for significant service to the poor or marginalized, and for groundbreaking achievements in pursuit of the common good. It comes with a $10,000 purse and a handcrafted medal. Previous California Prize recipients are Mr. Lynn Fritz, a social entrepreneur and founder of the Fritz Institute, Ms. Alice Waters, renowned chef and champion of food grown locally, and One Pacific Coast Bank and Foundation (formerly One California).

"I'm deeply honored to receive this year's California Prize from USF on behalf of the entire Tipping Point Community," said Daniel Lurie. "It is both humbling and motivating to be recognized for the work we are doing to improve the lives of the more than 1 million people in the Bay Area who cannot meet their basic needs. Most of all, I hope this award will shine a light on individuals and families living in poverty and inspire others to get involved in making poverty preventable in our community."

Since 2005, Tipping Point has raised more than $30 million in its efforts to break the cycle of poverty and to help clients achieve economic self-sufficiency. Tipping Point's Board underwrites all operating costs, which allows 100 percent of every dollar raised to go directly to groups they fund. Dedicated to supporting nonprofits 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.

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. For more information about Daniel Lurie or the Tipping Point Community, please visit www.tippingpoint.org.

About Tipping Point Community

Tipping Point Community screens nonprofits rigorously to find the most effective groups connecting Bay Area individuals and families to the services and opportunities needed to break the cycle of poverty and achieve economic self-sufficiency. Tipping Point's board underwrites all operating and fundraising expenses so that 100 percent of every dollar donated goes directly toward fighting poverty. More information about Tipping Point Community is available at www.tippingpoint.org.

About USF

Established in 1855, USF is San Francisco's oldest university and is consistently ranked as one of the most ethnically diverse universities in the country. The University of San Francisco is committed to being a premier Jesuit Catholic, urban university with a global perspective that educates leaders who will fashion a more humane and just world. With nearly 9,600 students enrolled both on- and off-campus, the university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional students the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as persons and professionals, and the values and sensitivity necessary to be men and women for others.

SOURCE University of San Francisco