Ed Foundation Raises $607,755 For Santa Monica Schools

SANTA MONICA, CA – The Santa Monica Education Foundation raised $607,755 for students as part of the back-to-school giving campaign, the foundation announced Friday. More than 900 donors contributed, including a $50,000 match from Bird, the Santa Monica-based shared electric scooter company.

The money raised will fund arts programs, instructional assistants and grants for each Santa Monica
public school next year, the press release said. Schools use the grants to fund additional arts, STEM and student health and wellness programs.

“Thank you to Bird and to each of the 928 donors who contributed during this incredible match,” said Linda Greenberg, Executive Director of the Ed Foundation. “This was a terrific start to our campaign this school year and we are grateful for our donors’ dedication to ensuring an excellent education for all Santa Monica students.”

Bird's $50,000 donation follows their $11,500 donation to the Ed Foundation last year. The $50,000 match concluded September 4, the press release said. During the match, two other local businesses offered one-day Flash Matches for donations: David Yun & the Eighty8 Group matched $5,000 in donations on August 28 and Santa Monica Music Center matched $2,500 on September 4.

"It's so inspiring to see the Santa Monica community rally around a cause that benefits so many youth," Carl Hansen, Director of Government Affairs at Bird, said. "Investing in programs for students helps improve public education throughout Santa Monica, and we are glad to see others have joined us in support of our community schools. We thank the Education Foundation for their partnership and remain humbled by the incredible work they do for our community."

Annual donations and Ed Foundation endowments are funding $2.6 million in programs during the
current school year. Fundraising for 2019-2020 school year programs will continue through June 30,
2019, the press release said. For more information or to make a donation to support Santa Monica students, go to smedfoundation.org.

Photo: Lana Negrete of Santa Monica Music Center (left) and Tova Larsen (right) at Will Rogers; Courtesy of Santa Monica Education Foundation