July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Council Endorses $250K Donation to Education Foundation:

The old saying “April showers bring May flowers” has some special meaning for the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation the Santa Monica City Council at its April 24 meeting showered the local foundation with a $250,000 donation it will use to see its new responsibility to raise more money and fund more school programs district-wide.

“The Education Foundation has worked to enhance the quality of public education in our community for 30 years, and the City is extremely supportive of the work they do,” Mayor Richard Bloom said. “The City is thrilled to be able to contribute to the Ed Foundation’s important work and to help the Foundation now expand its role to do even more.”

The City Hall donation will be used to help fund arts education, academic and athletic programs at all Santa Monica-Malibu public schools, and support the foundation’s work, including the hiring of additional staff and increasing its fundraising capacity.

Tuesday’s Council action represents the second half of the City’s initial $500,000 pledge to support the foundation’s endowment for the arts education. Through the “For the Arts” campaign, the foundation has raised $2.1 million in endowment funds to support music, visual arts, dance, and drama programs in schools throughout the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD).

This $250,000 contribution will still support the arts and enable the foundation to leverage and expand its district-wide fundraising efforts.

“We are very grateful to the City of Santa Monica for this contribution and for its long-standing commitment to supporting the Ed Foundation’s work on behalf of all students” SMMEF Executive Director Linda Greenberg Gross stated. “While we are fundraising right now for our current slate of academic, art, and athletic programs, we are also raising funds and building the infrastructure we’ll need to fulfill our expanded role in the not too distant future. The City of Santa Monica’s donation gives us a terrific boost to help us get there.”

SMMUSD Superintendent Sandra Lyon said the donation would help provide students with “equal access to educational opportunities.”

“As we look ahead to a centralized fundraising model with the goal of providing equal access to educational opportunities for all students, having the City of Santa Monica’s generous support for the Education Foundation is very significant and will help make that goal a reality.”

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...