Santa Monica College Foundation

10/31/2026

At the heart of GIVING THANKS(giving) is a simple but meaningful idea: every student deserves to feel like they belong.

As we celebrate 10 years of GIVING THANKS(giving), we're preparing to welcome more than 2,500 Santa Monica College students for a holiday meal, where students can connect, build community, and experience the power of coming together.

We're just over 91% of the way to our $250,000 goal! Help us cross the finish line and ensure students have access to the food and resources they need, along with a place at the table where they know they belong.

Make your gift today: foundation.smc.edu/thanksgiving

We're grateful to our sponsors for their continued commitment to supporting SMC students and strengthening our campus community. Associated Students of Santa Monica College Albertsons Companies Recharge Smart & Final Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles County

10/17/2026

Our Launch the Future fundraiser brought together more than 150 community members, donors, educators, and students for an inspiring evening showcasing the possibilities a STEM education can create. From hands-on experiences to our new Math + Science Building and Observatory, guests saw how investments in STEM expand opportunities for students to explore, innovate, and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Read the full story from the Santa Monica Daily Press below!

💙 It’s not too late to make an impact! Your contribution helps SMC students access the resources and opportunities they need to reach their academic and career goals. Support SMC Students and the future of STEM here: https://foundation.smc.edu/areas-to-support/launch-the-future.php

SMC Foundation's "Launch the Future" event raised $166,500 toward its $175,000 goal for STEM students. Help them reach their goal to fund science programs for SMC students!

https://www.smdp.com/smc-foundations-launch-the-future-raises-166-500-for-stem-students/

➡️ Follow for more Santa Monica news

10/09/2026

For 10 years, GIVING THANKS(giving) has brought the Santa Monica College community together around what matters most: connection, care, and making sure students have what they need to thrive.

This November 23 & 24, more than 2,500 SMC students will gather for a hot holiday meal, creating an opportunity to come together and experience the power of community.

Our goal is to raise $250,000 to make this milestone celebration possible and help ensure students facing food insecurity have what they need this holiday season and beyond. Will you join us in making a difference for SMC students?

Make your gift today: https://foundation.smc.edu/areas-to-support/giving-thanksgiving.php

Thank you to our generous sponsors for investing in SMC students and helping make 10 years of GIVING THANKS(giving) possible Albertsons Companies Smart & Final Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles County

10/08/2026

Check out these photos from “Launch the Future”, a fundraising event organized by the Santa Monica College Foundation on Sept. 26, to support SMC’s STEM Program! Held throughout SMC’s new 110,000 sq.ft. Math + Science building, the signature event gave guests an in-depth look at the innovative learning, exploration, and hands-on educational experiences taking place across SMC’s STEM programs. From the outdoor atrium to the rooftop, guests encountered a variety of interactive STEM experiences and experiments led by SMC students, explored specialized laboratories and learning spaces, and connected with the students and faculty who bring the building to life.

The Foundation raised $166,500 toward a $175,000 fundraising goal to help expand opportunities for SMC students pursuing STEM pathways. You can help close the gap—every gift supports STEM students on their path to success. 🙏🏼🔬✨

Learn more: https://www.smc.edu/news/2026/2026-09-29-smc-foundations-launch-the-future-event-raises-funds-for-stem-program.php

09/29/2026

What an incredible evening! ✨ Thank you to everyone who joined us for Launch the Future on Saturday, September 26, and to everyone who supported Monica College STEM students from afar.

Together, we celebrated curiosity, discovery, and possibility inside SMC’s new Math & Science Building—exploring research-grade telescopes, stepping into the planetarium, experiencing live STEM demonstrations, and connecting with students, faculty, and fellow supporters.

We’re now just under 5% away from our $175,000 goal! Help us close the gap and expand hands-on opportunities for SMC STEM students. Every gift makes a difference: https://foundation.smc.edu/areas-to-support/launch-the-future.php

Thank you for helping us Launch the Future!

09/25/2026

WE'RE READY TO LAUNCH! 🚀

With a full moon on the horizon, we're looking forward to our Launch the Future STEM fundraiser this Saturday!

We'll be celebrating Santa Monica College students, exploring our incredible new Math & Science Building, and enjoying an unforgettable evening under the stars. ✨

A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors for helping make this event possible and investing in the next generation of STEM leaders. Your support helps students gain the skills, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed. Recharge Dr. Ava Shamban Johnson Global Advisory

It's not too late to donate! Every gift helps us expand opportunities in STEM and support students as they pursue their goals: https://foundation.smc.edu/areas-to-support/launch-the-future.php

Here's to an evening of discovery, connection, and launching the future! 🚀🌕

08/14/2026

Yesterday, we had the joy of gathering with many of our Bodega partners to connect, collaborate, and strengthen the important work we’re doing together. 💙

Thank you for your continued support of the SMC Bodega and Basic Needs Program. Your partnership helps provide students with access to nutritious food, hygiene essentials, and other resources they need to stay focused on their education and reach their goals.

We’re grateful to work alongside partners who understand that supporting students’ basic needs is an essential part of supporting their success. Thank you for standing with our students and helping them stay on the path to graduation and opportunity!

Albertsons Companies Smart & Final Nourish LA Westside Food Bank FoodCycle LA Santa Monica College

08/13/2026

The Perseids are lighting up the night sky! ✨🌠 One of the year’s most spectacular meteor showers, the Perseids are known for bright, fast-moving meteors streaking across the summer sky.

If you love looking up at the stars, join us September 26 for an evening that takes stargazing to the next level. 🔭

At the Launch the Future Reception, you'll step inside the Observatory at Santa Monica College for guided telescope stargazing—a rare experience not typically open to the public. Take in special Planetarium shows, tour our new Math & Science Building, and enjoy sunset views from the rooftop with premium cocktails and curated tasting stations.

Come celebrate discovery, innovation, and the students helping shape the future of STEM.

🎟️ Purchase your tickets: https://foundation.smc.edu/areas-to-support/launch-the-future.php

08/05/2026

Ten years ago, GIVING THANKS(giving) began in a backyard with just 38 Santa Monica College students. Today, that small gathering has grown into a tradition that serves more than 2,500 students each year.

As we mark the 10th annual GIVING THANKS(giving), we're celebrating what's possible when a community comes together. Every donation helps provide holiday groceries for SMC students while also strengthening the college's Basic Needs Program and Emergency Grant Fund, ensuring students can access food, essential supplies, and emergency assistance throughout the year.

Together, we've created a tradition of care and community for SMC students. Your support today will help us continue meeting the growing needs of students.

Make your gift or become a sponsor and help make our 10th anniversary our most impactful yet: https://foundation.smc.edu/areas-to-support/giving-thanksgiving.php

07/31/2026

Support the next generation of STEM students by purchasing your tickets today for the Launch the Future Cocktail Reception.

Enjoy exclusive access to Santa Monica College 's planetarium and observatory, where you'll experience immersive planetarium shows and have the opportunity to view the night sky through the college's research-grade telescope during guided stargazing sessions. Then, explore the state-of-the-art Math & Science Building through interactive STEM demonstrations—all while enjoying premium cocktails and curated tasting stations.

You'll meet students like Jaxon, who came to SMC expecting lecture halls but instead found opportunities he never imagined, including conducting independent research with advanced scientific equipment. That hands-on experience reshaped what he believed was possible and helped launch his path to UC Berkeley this fall.

Each ticket purchase and every donation helps more students discover their own path in STEM. Purchase your ticket or donate: https://foundation.smc.edu/areas-to-support/launch-the-future.php

Thank you to our sponsors for investing in tomorrow's innovators! Recharge Dr. Ava Shamban Johnson Global Advisory