During the first 15 years of its existence, the Ed Foundation’s fundraising grew from $25,000 to $100,000 annually. It did this mostly through a raffle and one event. Recognizing the importance of annual sustainable funds in order to support programs District-wide, the Education Foundation created an Academic Endowment in 1998. The Bells and Books of Knowledge campaign raised $1 million and donors were recognized through sculptures on the Third Street Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica, which are still there today.

In 2002, an active and passionate group of parents and arts supporters approached the Ed Foundation to conduct an Arts Endowment fundraising campaign, which, over three years, raised $2 million. This was a high-profile campaign with a strong Steering Committee and a stellar Honorary Committee. In addition to the Arts Endowment campaign, the Ed Foundation was raising about $250,000 annually at that time.

From 2006 to 2010, the Ed Foundation’s fundraising activities included annual appeals, benefit concerts and corporate partnership events. These fundraising efforts supported vital programs that impacted students district-wide. During this time, the Ed Foundation focused on strengthening its brand and developing a strategic vision.

During the first 15 years of its existence, the Ed Foundation’s fundraising grew from $25,000 to $100,000 annually. It did this mostly through a raffle and one event. Recognizing the importance of annual sustainable funds in order to support programs District-wide, the Education Foundation created an Academic Endowment in 1998. The Bells and Books of Knowledge campaign raised $1 million and donors were recognized through sculptures on the Third Street Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica, which are still there today.

In 2002, an active and passionate group of parents and arts supporters approached the Ed Foundation to conduct an Arts Endowment fundraising campaign, which, over three years, raised $2 million. This was a high-profile campaign with a strong Steering Committee and a stellar Honorary Committee. In addition to the Arts Endowment campaign, the Ed Foundation was raising about $250,000 annually at that time.

From 2006 to 2010, the Ed Foundation’s fundraising activities included annual appeals, benefit concerts and corporate partnership events. These fundraising efforts supported vital programs that impacted students district-wide. During this time, the Ed Foundation focused on strengthening its brand and developing a strategic vision.

District-wide Ed Foundation-funded programs were first implemented in the 2014-2015 school year. Donations to the Ed Foundation, along with endowments, funded the following programs:

• Arts education for all elementary students •
• 87 instructional assistants
• Ballroom dance for all 5th graders
• $750,000 in stretch grants to be used for innovative staff and programs at each school
• Recorders and books for all 3rd graders
• Dance classes, theater programs, and visual arts grants at middle and high schools
• Two music classes at Olympic High School
• Semi-private music lessons and instruments for qualifying students
• Additional funding for school libraries through the American Book Drive

Please visit the Programs to see the currently funded programs and the Impact section of our website to see stories, testimonials, and videos that highlight the incredible impact of Ed Foundation-funded programs, on all of our students.

On June 28, 2018, the School Board approved a revision to Board Policy 3290 that changed the structure of fundraising in our district. It designated the Ed Foundation to raise funds for district-approved programs in Santa Monica schools and authorized a separate Malibu-based nonprofit to raise funds for the same programs in Malibu schools.

With our new focus on fundraising solely for programs in Santa Monica, we are now the Santa Monica Education Foundation.

Donations to the Santa Monica Education Foundation will continue to fund outstanding programs – elementary arts, instructional assistants, ballroom dance and stretch grants – but now, only in our Santa Monica schools. The Malibu-based nonprofit will be formed to fundraise for the same programs in Malibu.