Join our Gift Match and Invest in SMC Students
Dear Friends, Family and Colleagues,
We’re reaching out today with a request that feels deeply personal to both of us - and an opportunity to create immediate, measurable impact. We are personally matching donations up to $20,000 for the Santa Monica College Foundation, and we hope you will join us in changing what’s possible for SMC students.
Here’s the truth we’ve witnessed firsthand: A single act of support at SMC doesn’t just help a student—it can reshape the trajectory of an entire family.
Students come to Santa Monica College with extraordinary drive, but too often, financial strain stands between them and their degree. Something as small as a $50 grocery card, a bus pass, or help with a textbook can determine whether a student stays enrolled or steps away from their dreams.
And yet, when students receive even modest support, they soar.
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SMC is the #1 transfer college for Black and Latinx students nationwide
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For 34 consecutive years, SMC has sent more students to UC campuses, USC, and Loyola Marymount than any other college in the country
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More than 26,000 students are served annually—many of whom would have no viable path to higher education without this community
These aren’t just statistics. They’re outcomes. They’re proof that investment in SMC students delivers extraordinary returns.
Right now, the need is urgent. Over half of SMC students are the first in their families to attend college, and 63% come from low-income households. Many are balancing school with multiple jobs, caring for siblings, or living one unexpected bill away from crisis. But with your support—doubled through our match—students gain the essential resources that keep them on track:
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Emergency aid that prevents students from dropping out
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Food and hygiene support that allows them to focus in class
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Mental health services that help them stay steady
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Transportation and housing assistance that removes daily barriers
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Laptops, textbooks, and technology that make learning possible
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Scholarships that lift long-term financial pressure
Every dollar equips a student not just to stay in school, but to excel.
And the impact doesn’t stop there. When one SMC student earns a degree or transfers, the ripple effects move through families, workplaces, and entire communities—strengthening future generations. This is why your gift matters today. Because every contribution, no matter the size, becomes a catalyst for transformation.
We invite you to stand with these students, amplify your impact through our match, and help create the next generation of transfer scholars, community leaders, and change-makers.
With gratitude and hope,
Margaret & Lauren
Credit Card
Please make your check payable to:
Santa Monica College Foundation
1900 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405-1628
In the memo line, please write Sohagi/Reager so that we may ensure your gift is matched to double your support of SMC students.
Venmo
@smcfoundation
