Join Here with a gift to the area of your choosing

President’s Circle

Donors who make an annual gift of $1500 or more to Samuel Merritt University are invited to join the President’s Circle. Members of the President’s Circle receive:

• Presidential event invitations and networking opportunities
• Meet and greet events with University leaders and students
• Elevated stewardship "thank you" messaging and gifts
• Giving impact reporting
• Recognition throughout the year

Nursing Dean’s Circle

Donors who make an annual gift of $500 or more to the College of Nursing are invited to join the Dean’s Circle. Members of the Dean’s Circle receive:

• Special event invitations
• Meet and greet events with University leaders and students
• Exclusive SMU and College of Nursing swag
• Giving impact reporting
• Recognition throughout the year

Podiatry Dean’s Circle

Donors who make an annual gift of $500 or more to the College of Podiatric Medicine are invited to join the Dean’s Circle. Members of the Dean’s Circle receive:

• Special event invitations
• Meet and greet events with University leaders and students
• Continued Medical Education (CME) events like the spring "Pacific Coast Foot and Ankle Dermatology Symposium"
  • See the SMU Events webpage for all upcoming alumni events - just select "Alumni" in the events topic dropdown menu
• Exclusive SMU and CPM swag
• Giving impact reporting
• Recognition throughout the year

Health Sciences Dean’s Circle

Donors who make an annual gift of $500 or more to the College of Health Sciences (Kinesiology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant) are invited to join the Dean’s Circle. Members of the Dean’s Circle receive:

• Special event invitations
• Meet and greet events with University leaders and students
• Exclusive SMU and College of Health Sciences swag
• Giving impact reporting
• Recognition throughout the year

There are multiple ways for a donor to create a new scholarship in their own name, the name of a loved one (Tribute Giving), or in recognition of their Class/Cohort. Staff at the University work with donors to ensure each scholarship is managed appropriately per donor wishes and ensure student impact is clearly shared after scholarships have been received.

• Current Use Scholarships can be started with a minimum donation of $1,500, and the full value of the donated funds will be awarded that year.
• Endowed Scholarships can be started with a minimum donation of $100,000. These dollars are invested by the University to grow over time, living on and benefiting students for decades to come.
  • Most endowment gifts bear the name of the donor or family and are restricted for scholarships. However, a donor may also endow a Faculty Chair in one of the programs offered at SMU.
  • The funds provide ongoing income for the purpose designated by the donor.
  • Endowment gifts are an especially rewarding way of giving.

Whether your goal is to memorialize a loved one or to recognize your Class/Cohort, Tribute Giving at every level is a unique way to celebrate each other through philanthropy. University staff will work with you to identify how to maximize your impact by facilitating a one-time gift, establishing a recurring gift plan, or building a crowdfunding campaign to share with a larger audience. 

Memorial and honorary gifts have been an important part of the history and tradition of SMU. From gifts such as the Hall Nursing Award, given in 1971 to recognize the fine nursing care at Merritt Hospital, and named in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Chaffee E. Hall, to every heartfelt memorial gift made by one person in the name of another, you can to honor or memorialize your family and friends.

Each year the University participates in two virtual Giving Day events - Give SMU Days and Giving Tuesday. Mark your calendars to come together in giving in 2024 -  

• Give SMU Days in Spring (May 14-15th, 2024)
  • SMU's flagship fundraiser of the year with a focus on building SMU pride and raising scholarship donations for individual programs.
  • Includes double your donation  matching gift opportunities, fun giving challenges and thank you gifts, and real testimonial videos and stories from students and donors.
• Giving Tuesday in Fall (December 3rd, 2024)
  • This is an internationally recognized day that focuses on the spirit of thankfulness and giving back to help others.
  • The needs we will be highlighting include various scholarships, the student emergency fund, and the student pantry.

Our team is eager to empower SMU students in their fundraising efforts. All fundraiser requests at the University must be directed through University Advancement for approval. Resources and support are available to maximize your outreach efforts while ensuring donor stewardship and accounting are appropriately managed. See this example of a recent successful student fundraiser. Unlike outside fundraising platforms, all crowdfunding campaigns managed through University Advancement benefit students 100% by charging zero gift processing fees. 

Please contact us to learn more. 

See current Crowdfunding campaigns here

Matching Gifts: Did you know that thousands of companies match donations by employees to our organization? Please use our search tool here to see if your company will match your donation.

Stock/Security Giving: Donors may avoid capital gains tax on appreciated securities by donating to the University. Please contact us for more details.