Your Support is Essential

Thanks to our dedicated donors, SMU supportsstudents with donor-provided scholarships annually. This aid is critical in helping diverse students become our future healthcare leaders.

Click here to read more about donor impact.

With your support, we can make an even bigger impact for students and healthcare in our communities.

I Want to Help. What Are My Options?

There are many ways to support SMU—below are some common options. Our team is here to help work with you individually to find the right fit for you and your family. Contact us at giving@samuelmerritt.edu or 510.907.2500.

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

Join Today

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
Giving impact reporting
Recognition throughout the year

Join Today

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
Giving impact reporting
Recognition throughout the year

Join Today

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
Giving impact reporting
Recognition throughout the year

Join Today

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 - With a gift of $10,000 or more over 5 years you can name a scholarship.” before “The full value of the donated funds will be awarded that year. The full value of the donated funds will be awarded that year.
Endowed Scholarships - With a gift of $50,000 or more over 5 years you can endow a named scholarship. 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

Giving Tuesday in Fall (First Tuesday of December)
- This is an internationally recognized day focused on the spirit of gratitude and giving back to help others.
- SMU’s Giving Tuesday page will highlight various scholarship funds, the student emergency fund, and the student pantry fund.
Giving Day in Spring (First Tuesday of May)
- 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.

See current Crowdfunding campaigns here

The Health Impact Awards are an annual celebration honoring healthcare, civic, philanthropic, and community leaders while supporting the education of future health professionals serving California’s diverse communities.

Learn more about how you can support by visiting the Health Impact Awards website

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. 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.

About DAFs

Samuel Merritt University welcomes support from donors through Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). These simple and efficient accounts allow donors to make gifts of cash, securities, or other assets and obtain a charitable income tax deduction in that same year. DAF funds are invested and grow tax free. Donors can then direct gifts from their DAF to qualified non-profit organizations, including Samuel Merritt University, at any time.

To learn more about creating a DAF, please visit our DAF giving page or contact us at giving@samuelmerritt.edu or 510.907.2500.

Directing a Gift from Your DAF

If you already have a DAF, you can use the tool here to make a gift through your DAF.

Samuel Merritt University's tax ID number (EIN) is #94-2992642.

Family 2022 — “Prior to this scholarship, I feared my childcare expenses would prevent me from achieving my dream of becoming a nurse. This money is going to help me continue being the dedicated, loving mother my child deserves, as well as become the skilled, knowledgeable, caring nurse that my future patients deserve.”

Food pantry — “I am the first in my family to attend a master’s/doctorate program. I feel very grateful and blessed to be where I am today. I would like to be an advocate for occupational therapy and help the people in my community by spreading awareness and education. Your contribution will go a long way as you are helping me succeed. Thank you, and I hope you continue to have good fortune and a good life, because you are impacting peoples’ lives by helping contribute to their present and future.”

Podiatry group at Highland — “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to be extended this scholarship, which comes at a time of need. I wasn’t lucky enough to have my expenses covered with the loans I was approved for and needed financial assistance. I aspire to open my private office and integrate everything I learn to help my patients. Without scholarship support, I would be barely keeping my head above water in financial turmoil.”

Students pose in front of Oakland campus mural.

Immediate Impact Giving

YOUR GIFT DIRECTLY AND PROMPTLY TRANSFORMS LIVES.

56% of students are disadvantaged because of finances, past educational resources, or their environments. Your gift empowers students to overcome the odds and continue to excel. Despite facing disadvantages, SMU students achieved a 93-95% average graduation rate for the past three years. Donor support makes all the difference.

Top Areas of Need

Greatest Need Fund: where students and the University need support to improve and expand the academic experience
Scholarships: supporting students to become healthcare leaders with much-needed financial relief
Student Emergency Fund: supporting students through hardships like hospitalized parents or job loss
Student Food Pantry: student food pantries at all four of our campuses that assist SMU students who qualify for CalFresh, California's implementation of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- Every week around 80 - 100 SMU students select groceries and personal items from one of our food pantries to supplement their CalFresh benefits. Help us keep our food pantries stocked and close this critical gap for our students.

GIVE & MAKE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT TODAY

SUPPORT CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGNS & ONGOING NEEDS

Planned & Estate Gifts

Planned giving offers donors the opportunity to make a gift to the University in concert with their personal long-term financial and estate planning. Bequests enable donors to leave a lasting legacy when remembering SMU in their will or trust. Charitable Remainder Trusts help donors avoid capital gains taxes on appreciated property, increase income, and reduce income taxes. Donors may also leave a legacy by naming SMU in their life insurance policy, 401(k), IRA, or retirement plan.

Explore Free Resources

Honor Roll of Donors

To recognize our supporters' generosity, we publish an annual "Honor Roll of Donors". If you are among our donors from the year, thank you. Your contributions in the 2026 calendar year will be celebrated in our 2026 publication.

SMU 2025 Honor Roll of Donors

GIVE NOW TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS YEAR'S HONOR ROLL