The Santa Monica Education Foundation recently wrapped up a three-week fundraising campaign that resulted in more than $213,000, which will be used to benefit the various science, technology, engineering and math programs that are currently in place on Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District campuses.
A total of 286 donors contributed local education foundation’s $25,000 matching opportunity offered by MSD Partners, L.P. / Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, according to Education Foundation officials. The match ran from Dec. 9-31 and coincided with the foundation’s campaign to raise $145,000 for STEM programs during the final month of 2019.
In the four years that MSD Partners, L.P. / Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows has offered a match for donations to the foundation, more than $709,000 have been contributed to programs in Santa Monica schools. In fact, annual donations and education foundation endowments are funding $2.7 million in programs in Santa Monica schools this school year.
“We are so thrilled with the results of this match! STEM programs in our Santa Monica schools are so important,” Santa Monica Education Foundation Executive Director Linda Greenberg said as she detailed how SMMUSD’s STEM classes allow students to design and invent as well as prepare for the technology-based careers that may await them after graduation. “We are so grateful to MSD Partners, L.P. and Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows for being an inspiring philanthropic leader in our community and to each of the donors who contributed this month to fund these important programs for Santa Monica students.”
“This incredible generosity should come as no surprise to any Santa Monica resident since local businesses have consistently worked hand-in-hand with the Santa Monica Education Foundation to support all students attending schools here in Santa Monica, said SMMUSD board president Jon Kean. “We are so fortunate to live in a community where everyone views themself as a stakeholder in the success of our students.”
Greenberg and foundation leaders said they expect the donations made during the December match campaign will fund a multitude of STEM programs in Santa Monica schools across the district, including the STEM classes at Franklin, Grant and Muir Elementary schools, an app design elective at John Adams Middle School and Project Lead the Way, which is a four-year engineering program at Santa Monica High School.
“The results of our matches with the Santa Monica Education Foundation have been astounding,” and they are a superb example of what is possible when local businesses and families come together to support children said Ellis O’Connor of MSD Partners. “MSD Partners and The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows are proud to be long-time supporters of public education in Santa Monica,” and they are honored to partner with the Ed Foundation and the entire local community to help ensure that Santa Monica’s students experience the best education possible.
Education Foundation officials said residents can visit smedfoundation.org for more information or to make a donation to support Santa Monica students.
brennon@smdp.com
