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The Santa Monica College Foundation

EIN 95-6047779 · Santa Monica, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SANTA MONICA COLLEGE FOUNDATION LEADS THE PRIVATE FUNDRAISING EFFORTS OF SANTA MONICA COLLEGE IN SUPPORT OF THE COLLEGE'S MISSION TO PROVIDE OPEN AND AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION. THE FOUNDATION RECEIVES, DISPERSES AND INVESTS PRIVATE DONATIONS IN SUPPORT OF COLLEGE SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES AND RAISES ANNUAL GIFTS TO INITIATE PROGRAMS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COLLEGE, ITS STUDENTS AND FACULTY.

Income
$7.7 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
16.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
7
Volunteers
1,812
Highest pay
$498,479, director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $2.0 million spent. STUDENT PROGRAMMING AND ASSISTANCE: SANTA MONICA COLLEGE'S STUDENT SERVICES PROGRAMS PROVIDE ONGOING EDUCATIONAL AND COUNSELING SUPPORT TO ITS STUDENTS. FROM THE VETERANS' RESOURCE CENTER, BLACK COLLEGIANS PROGRAM, AND LATINO CENTER TO THE CENTER FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, GUARDIAN SCHOLARS, AND ATHLETICS TEAMS, THE FOUNDATION FUNDRAISES AND SUPPORTS THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS TO ADVANCE THE PROGRAMS. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION RAISES FUNDING TO ADVANCE ANNUAL PROGRAMS TO INCREASE ENROLLMENT (SMC FOUNDATION MEAL PROJECT), AND ACKNOWLEDGE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS (PUBLIC POLICY SYMPOSIUMS). FURTHER, EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF EXPERIENCING UNFORESEEN HARDSHIP DURING THE LA FIRES WAS PROVIDED BY THE FOUNDATION'S ABILITY TO SECURE FUNDS.
  2. $672,055 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS: IN AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE FINANCIAL BARRIERS AND TO ENSURE ACADEMIC SUCCESS FOR SMC STUDENTS, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED $672,055 IN SCHOLARSHIPS. THE AWARDS WERE DESIGNATED FOR QUALIFIED STUDENTS WHO WERE INCOMING FRESHMAN, CONTINUING, AND TRANSFER STUDENTS, AIDING AND SUPPORTING THEM IN ACHIEVING THEIR HIGHER EDUCATION GOALS.
  3. $377,011 spent. SANTA MONICA COLLEGE'S EMERITUS PROGRAM SERVES A POPULATION OF OLDER ADULTS WITH A RICH ARRAY OF COURSES, FREE OF CHARGE. WITH OVER 80 DIFFERENT CLASSES, THE EMERITUS PROGRAM ENGAGES NEARLY 3,000 STUDENTS FROM SANTA MONICA AND ACROSS THE LOS ANGELES BASIN, WHO ATTEND IN PERSON AND ONLINE, CONTINUING THEIR GOAL AS LIFELONG LEARNERS. THE FOUNDATION SERVES AS THE FUNDRAISING PARTNER TO THIS PROGRAM, SUPPORTING THEIR EFFORTS TO RAISE MONEY IN ORDER TO OFFSET THE COST OF THE PROGRAM NOT COVERED BY STATE FUNDING. AS SUCH, NECESSARY EXPENSES ARE DIRECTLY TIED TO THE SUPPORT AND STAFFING PROVIDED TO THE PROGRAM BY THE FOUNDATION.
  4. $222,438 spent. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES FUNDS TO SUPPORT CAMPUS-WIDE ANNUAL EVENTS AT THE COLLEGE SUCH AS VIP DAY, COMMENCEMENT AND ONE-TIME CAMPUS-WIDE EVENTS SUCH AS GUEST LECTURERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1964.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.