By Lookout Staff

October 18, 2021 -- Santa Monica Place and its owner, Macerich, will support the Santa Monica Education Foundation with a dollar-for-dollar match up to $15,000 starting Monday.

The campaign -- which marks the eight year in a row Macerich and the upscale out-door mall support the Foundation -- runs during the group’s Pledge Week that ends Friday.

The week-long campaign encourages families and community members to invest in Santa Monica’s public school students, Foundation officials said.

“Nothing is more important than a good education, and we are thrilled to be a part of this community’s effort to educate its students," said Julia B. Ladd, assistant vice president of property management for Santa Monica Place.

"With this matching gift, we hope to inspire others to join us and invest in our youth.”

Over the past eight years, Santa Monica Place and Macerich have committed a total of $157,500 to Santa Monica schools, Foundation officials said.

"Their commitment goes beyond financial contributions, having shown support through many meaningful and in-kind gifts as well," they said.

Alison Havel, president of the Foundation’s Board, called the commitment "inspiring" and noted that Macerich and its local mall "have continued their years-long financial support of the Ed Foundation, even during challenging times like this.”

Money raised during Pledge Week will fund arts programs, elementary classroom aides, STEM and student health and wellness programs in Santa Monica public schools.

During the week, Ed Foundation staff and Board members, as well as school leaders and volunteers, "will be at many Santa Monica schools to encourage families to join the community-wide effort of supporting students," officials said.

For more information or to donate to support Santa Monica students, go to smedfoundation.org.