By Lookout Staff

January 22, 2024 -- For the seventh year in a row, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows has given the Santa Monica Education Foundation a matching grant to boost funding for programs and staff at local schools.

The Miramar will match all donations, up to $25,000, made between January 22 and January 31, which marks the end of the Foundation's annual parent fundraising campaign.

Last year's matching grant spurred 372 donors to give $236,940, bringing the total raised with matches from the hotel to more than $1.25 million ("Miramar Match Helps Ed Foundation Raise Nearly $250,000," February 8, 2023).

“We are honored to continue our support for such an important cause, for the children in Santa Monica’s public schools,” said Sam Jagger, the Miramar's general manager.

“We remain dedicated to being involved in our community, and a core way of doing that is through our partnership" with the Foundation, Jagger said. "We hope this gift inspires others in our community to support our public schools.”

Santa Monica’s 11 public schools will decide how to spend their "stretch grant," Foundation officials said.

Many schools use the funds for "important social-emotional programs," as well as STEM, additional arts programs, or teacher training, officials said.

"The Fairmont Miramar has been a steadfast and generous supporter of Santa Monica’s public schools for nearly a decade," Foundation officials said.

The Miramar also has hosted the organization’s annual Santa Monica Wine Auction since 2016, officials said. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, April 21.

“We are beyond thrilled that (the Miramar) has once again stepped forward with such a generous incentive for our community to support our students,” said Linda Greenberg, the Foundation's interim executive director.

“Miramar has been an incredibly committed partner of the Ed Foundation," Greenberg said. "Our students have benefited exponentially because of their ongoing generosity."

This year’s annual Wine Auction features "outstanding wine and food tastings around the hotel’s iconic Moreton Bay Fig Tree, with silent and live auctions," Foundation officials said.

The 9th annual auction once again "brings parents and community members together to sip, savor and support students."

Established in 1982 in response to major federal and state education budget cuts, the Foundation has provided more than $23 million to fund arts and academic programs at District schools.

For more information about the Ed Foundation, or to make a donation to support Santa Monica students, visit smedfoundation.org.