Santa Monica Education Foundation

What Santa Monica Education Foundation does

The Santa Monica Education Foundation (SMEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982 and headquartered at 1717 4th Street, Suite 132, Santa Monica, California. It is the school-board-designated sole fundraising entity for the Santa Monica portion of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD), raising and managing funds to support academics, arts, and athletics programs across 11 Santa Monica public schools serving approximately 9,000 students and 6,000 families. Since inception the Foundation has raised more than $38 million cumulatively, holds three named endowments valued at over $9.7 million combined as of June 30, 2024 (For Academics, For The Arts, Peggy Bergmann Arts), and is currently building a fourth For Athletics Endowment. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and operated by a five-person staff led by Executive Director Raymur Flinn (appointed July 2024).

The Foundation operates a diversified revenue model combining individual donations (recommended $750 per child, plus payroll deductions for district employees), a tiered Corporate Heroes Program with sponsorship levels from $1,000 to $100,000+, endowment income across four funds, employer matching gifts (over $134,000 raised from 60+ companies in the most recent year), fee-based enrichment programs including Summer Adventure and a College Essay Writing Workshop ($615 per student), the Samohi Scholarship Fund (over $200,000 distributed to approximately 200 graduating seniors annually), and ancillary streams such as vehicle donations via CARS, stock gifts via J.P. Morgan Securities, cryptocurrency, and an American Book Drive partnership. It accepts donations through an online DonorPerfect portal, mail, phone, ACH/wire transfers via First Citizens Bank and J.P. Morgan, and runs signature fundraising events including an annual Wine Auction at the Fairmont Miramar. The Foundation funds specific district-wide programs including P.S. ARTS, 87 instructional assistants, ballroom dance for all 5th graders, stretch grants, theater, athletics, and the Student Investment Club, and partners strategically with P.S. ARTS, the Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs, individual school PTSAs, and major corporate sponsors including J.P. Morgan, Kilroy Realty, BXP, Waymo, and Saint Johns Foundation.

Name

Santa Monica Education Foundation

Legal name

Santa Monica Education Foundation

Website

https://www.smedfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Santa Monica Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 and designated by SMMUSD as the sole fundraiser for academics, arts, and athletics across 11 Santa Monica public schools, having raised over $38 million cumulatively and managing $9.7 million in endowments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Education Fundraising / Nonprofit Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Services (611), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Major Gifts, Planned Giving & Endowment Development (EDALAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

Keywords

• Education fundraising
• School enrichment programs
• Nonprofit foundation services
• Community donor programs
• Arts athletics academics funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Annual fund donations from parents, community members, grandparents, and SMMUSD employees. Recommended donation of $750 per child. Includes payroll deductions for district employees.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate Heroes Program with tiered sponsorship levels from $1,000 to $100,000+, including benefits and recognition.
3. Endowment Income: Four endowments (Academics, Arts, Peggy Bergmann Arts, Athletics) providing reliable annual funding through investment returns.
4. Student Investment Club: Student-led investment program where returns flow directly to SMEF Endowments.
5. Scholarship Fund Management: Manages Samohi Scholarship Fund awarding over $200,000 to approximately 200 graduating seniors annually.
6. Fee-based Programs: Summer Adventure enrichment program (5 weeks, TK-6th grade) and College Essay Writing Workshop ($615 per student).
7. Earned Income: American Book Drive program generates library support funds through online book/CD/DVD sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Santa Monica Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises and manages funds to support academics, arts, athletics, and enrichment programs across every Santa Monica public school. It operates annual giving campaigns, manages four endowments, runs fee-based programs (Summer Adventure, College Essay Writing Workshop), and provides scholarship administration for graduating seniors.

Product overview

The Santa Monica Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves as the primary fundraising entity for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Since 1982, it has raised over $38 million to enhance student learning. The Foundation operates through a combination of annual fundraising programs (Annual Fund, Employer Matching Gifts), four endowed funds (Academics, Arts, Peggy Bergmann Arts, Athletics), and fee-based enrichment programs (Summer Adventure, College Essay Writing Workshop). Additional programs include the Student Investment Club for real-market portfolio management education and the Samohi Scholarship Fund distributing over $200,000 annually. The Foundation funds P.S. ARTS programs, instructional assistants, ballroom dance, stretch grants, and various arts and music programs district-wide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• For Athletics Endowment Campaign
• Student Investment Club
• Samohi Scholarship Fund
• Employer Matching Gifts Program
• Annual Fund
• Corporate Heroes Program
• Academic Enrichment Grants (AEG)
• College Essay Writing Online Workshop
• Summer Adventure
• For Academics Endowment
• For The Arts Endowment
• Peggy Bergmann Arts Endowment Fund

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $38 million raised since 1982
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core, major and flagship.

• RAND CorporationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Hero at $5,000-$9,999 level
• Eastdil SecuredcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Hero at $10,000-$24,999 level
• WaymocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Hero at $10,000-$24,999 level
• VEOcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Hero at $10,000-$24,999 level
• Sir SpeedycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Hero at $10,000-$24,999 level
• Saint Johns FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Hero at $50,000-$99,999 level supporting Santa Monica public school programs
• Fairmont MiramarmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Hero at $50,000-$99,999 level, hosting Wine Auction events
• Bjorn Farrugia Real EstatecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Hero at $25,000-$49,000 level
• BXP (Boston Properties)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Hero at $25,000-$49,000 level
• Kilroy RealtycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Hero at $25,000-$49,000 level
• KindocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Hero at $25,000-$49,000 level
• Kramer Trial LawyerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Hero at $25,000-$49,000 level
• PHS RealtycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Hero at $25,000-$49,000 level
• P.S. ARTScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides comprehensive visual and performing arts program for every student TK-5th grade in Santa Monica schools
• American Book DrivesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides book donation bins at schools; proceeds support school libraries
• CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProcesses vehicle donations (cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles) for the foundation
• Pictures for ProgresssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPhotography marketplace where 20% of sales donate to Ed Foundation
• Double the DonationsupportingTechnology or IntegrationProvides matching gift search tool on employer matching gifts page
• Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School DistrictflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesignated by school board as the sole foundation to raise funds for district-approved programs in Santa Monica schools
• Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Summer Adventure enrichment program
• PTSAs at Middle SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for after-school drama programs at middle schools

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Malibu Education Foundation: Direct counterpart created in the 2018 SMMUSD fundraising split; raises funds for academics, arts, and athletics in Malibu public schools using the same centralized-fundraising model as SMEF.
• Redondo Beach Educational Foundation: Community-based K-12 fundraising foundation for the Redondo Beach Unified School District; SMEF's new Executive Director previously led this organization, making it the closest structural and geographic comparable.
• Pasadena Educational Foundation: Independent nonprofit raising private funds for Pasadena Unified School District schools through endowments, annual giving, and scholarships — directly comparable centralized K-12 fundraising model in another California district.
• Beverly Hills Education Foundation: Raises funds for Beverly Hills Unified School District through annual giving and endowment programs in another affluent Southern California community — highly analogous donor demographic and program portfolio.
• Palos Verdes Peninsula Education Foundation: Supports Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District through centralized fundraising for academics, arts, and athletics — closely mirrors SMEF's three-pillar mission in another affluent LA-area community.
• Culver City Education Foundation: Raises private funds for Culver City Unified School District through grants and signature events — direct comparable for an LA-area district-anchored education foundation serving a mixed demographic.
• San Francisco Education Fund: District-wide K-12 fundraising nonprofit serving San Francisco Unified School District through classroom grants and donor-advised giving — comparable centralized-fundraising scale model in a major California urban district.
• Oakland Public Education Fund: Independent nonprofit supporting Oakland Unified School District through annual giving, corporate partners, and scholarship administration — comparable scale, multi-channel fundraising model, and district-anchored mission.

Regional players

• P.S. ARTS: Nonprofit that delivers arts programming to elementary schools across Southern California districts, including Santa Monica — SMEF's flagship arts delivery partner and a comparable education nonprofit operating in adjacent space.

Broad incumbents

• DonorsChoose: National crowdfunding platform connecting public-school classroom needs with individual donors — operates in the same K-12 private-funding space at far greater scale, competing for the same parent and community donor dollars.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/smedfdn
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0TpH9BQTuJV9-9SwoYoBzg
• Facebookfacebook.com/smedfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/smedfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/santa-monica-education-foundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Santa Monica Education Foundation