Endowments Overview

Our endowments provide a reliable source of funding, year after year, ensuring consistent programming District-wide.

Growth of the endowments through charitable giving and investment gains enables the Ed Foundation to provide students with an outstanding curriculum. When you contribute to one of our endowments, you create a permanent legacy of support for our students. Thanks to generous donors, the Ed Foundation has four endowments:

The For Academics Endowment was established in 1998. Its value as of June 30, 2023 was $2,437,633. For ten years, income from this endowment supported our school libraries. Endowment income (approximately $85,000 for 2023-2024) is now contributed to the Ed Foundation’s annual campaign, supporting elementary instructional assistants and enrichment grants at each school. In addition, $30,000 of the income is used to support Academic Enrichment Grants for teachers at each Santa Monica school.

The For The Arts Endowment, created in 2003, was valued at $3,380,831 as of June 30, 2023. Income from this endowment ($166,000 in 2023-2024) funds arts programs in our schools, including a hip-hop dance teacher for 6th graders, arts programs at Olympic High School, middle and high school theater funding, music coaches in Title I elementary and Title I feeder middle schools, grants to Samohi's band, orchestra and choir, and grants to all secondary Visual Arts teachers.

The Peggy Bergmann Arts Endowment Fund, in memory of Lenore Bergmann and John Elmer Bergmann, was created in February 2013 and was valued at $3,178,262 as of June 30, 2023. Income from this endowment ($160,000 for 2023-2024) funds the purchase, repair, and maintenance of instruments, as well as music lessons for socio-economically disadvantaged students.

The Ed Foundation just launched its For Athletics Campaign on February 29, 2024 to support athletic programs, both now and into the future. Click here to learn more.

To learn more or contribute to one of our endowments, please call 310-396-4557 or email info@smedfoundation.org.