For Athletics Endowment
Supporting Student-Athletes Today. Investing in Santa Monica Athletics for Tomorrow.
The Santa Monica Education Foundation is strengthening competitive middle and high school athletics today while building long-term support for generations to come.
Through annual funding, the For Athletics Endowment and direct student initiatives, SMEF helps provide the resources and opportunities student-athletes need to compete and grow.
For many students, athletics are where they build confidence, leadership, teamwork and resilience while finding community and a stronger sense of belonging.
The For Athletics Endowment creates a permanent source of funding. The endowment is professionally managed and invested, generating annual distributions that provide additional support for athletic priorities year after year.
Support Today. Build for Tomorrow.
SMEF supports Santa Monica athletics through two complementary sources of funding.
Annual Fund
Through its Annual Fund, SMEF has committed an additional $200,000 to competitive athletics, including $100,000 for Santa Monica middle school sports and $100,000 for Santa Monica High School athletics. Funds raised during the 2026–27 campaign will support athletic programming during the 2027–28 school year and help address immediate and recurring program needs.
For Athletics Endowment
The For Athletics Endowment creates a permanent source of funding. The endowment is professionally managed and invested, generating annual distributions that provide additional support for athletic priorities year after year.
Annual Fund support helps meet today’s needs. The Endowment helps secure tomorrow’s.
We invite our donors to build sustained athletic programming for generations of athletes in our Santa Monica public schools.
Building a Lasting Legacy
Launched in 2022, the For Athletics Endowment campaign is growing toward a $5 million Phase I goal.
Every contribution helps grow the Endowment and expand its ability to support Santa Monica student-athletes. Donors may make an outright gift or a multi-year commitment.
Since the For Athletics Endowment campaign launched, SMEF has also provided more than $200,000 to support Santa Monica High School athletics.
SMEF provided the seed funding that made Santa Monica’s middle school competitive sports program possible, creating an important pathway for students to begin competing before high school and build stronger connections to their schools. SMEF continues to help sustain and strengthen those opportunities.
During the 2025–26 school year, the middle school program recorded 934 Santa Monica students participating in 406 competitive team placements.
Samohi has 27 different sports programs with 992 athletes participating in the 2025-26 school year. High school athletics funding supports needs such as coaching, uniforms and equipment, a strength and conditioning coach, team technology, league and tournament expenses, transportation, and new or expanding programs.
New this year! SMEF also supports student-athletes through direct initiatives, including personalized senior banners that celebrate student achievement and strengthen school spirit. This reduces the financial burden on teams and families to create these banners.
Middle School Athletics
SMEF provided the seed funding that made Santa Monica’s middle school competitive sports program possible. The Endowment will provide ongoing support for middle school sports, helping the program serve more students in the years ahead.
High School Athletics
High school athletics funding supports needs such as coaching, uniforms and equipment, a strength and conditioning coach, team technology, league and tournament expenses, transportation, and new or expanding programs.
Senior Recognition
SMEF also supports student-athletes through direct initiatives, including personalized senior banners that celebrate student achievement and strengthen school spirit.
Invest in the Future of Santa Monica Athletics
Strong middle school programs help create a foundation for continued participation in high school, and today’s elementary students are tomorrow’s middle and high school student-athletes. Your children may be several years away from middle and high school, but this investment is about building stronger programs for the future. By strengthening athletics now, we are creating more opportunities, better resources and a stronger foundation for the students who will come next, including today’s elementary school students.
Naming Opportunities
Naming opportunities are available to recognize substantial gifts to the Athletics Endowment. Donors who make a gift or commitment of $25,000 or more receive permanent recognition in Santa Monica High School’s Gold Gym. Larger naming opportunities are also available. Please contact Raymur Flinn, Executive Director at raymur@smedfoundation.org for more information.
Ways to Give
Choose the giving option that works best for you.