SMU Giving Days 2025 is over, but you can still support students. Click here to give.
Why give during "Give SMU Days"?


Build a Better Future, Together.

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We are expanding access to healthcare.

Through philanthropy, we are making education more accessible to our students. 

The scholarships created by alumni enable future students to educate, heal, and uplift local communities through healthcare.


We are doubling down on our investment in local communities. 

In January 2026, SMU is moving to a new building in Downtown Oakland and revitalizing the neighborhood with the opportunity to foster economic growth. 

A short walk from 12th Street BART station, our vibrant City Center Campus will be easily accessible to students, faculty, and patients from across the Bay Area.  


We are addressing today's healthcare needs. 

SMU stands as a dynamic leader in health sciences education, continuously evolving to address healthcare disparities. Through immersive learning models and innovative technologies, we are committed to a vision and mission of health care for community, by community. 


Unlock the full potential of health care in our community on May 13 & 14 by giving to students and double your impact with matching opportunities!

Together, we change the lives of our students and build a better future.

2
Match
Physical Therapy Scholarship Dollar-for-Dollar Match
Thanks to our donor match challenge, all gifts made to support PHYSICAL THERAPY students will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000.
Completed
2
Match
Podiatric Medicine Match from the Zapf Family
Michael Zapf, DPM 1984 and Jacqueline Zapf, JD, are launching a $1,000 donor match challenge! All gifts made to support the College of Podiatric Medicine Alumni & Associates Operating Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,000.
$1,000 MATCHED
Completed
2
Match
Occupational Therapy Scholarship Dollar-for-Dollar Match
Thanks to our donor match challenge, all gifts made to support OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY students will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000.
Completed
2
Match
Physician Assistant Scholarship Dollar-for-Dollar Match
Thanks to our donor match challenge, all gifts made to support PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT students will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $2,500.
Completed
$15,000
SMU New Oakland Campus Challenge
MIDNIGHT DEADLINE: One of our generous Board of Regents is challenging us to reach 100 donors! If we reach 100 donors before 11:59pm on May 14th, we will unlock a $15,000 donation to benefit our new New Oakland Campus.
Completed
$20,000
MIDNIGHT DEADLINE: Final Push Challenge (Nursing)
An anonymous College of Nursing donor is encouraging us all to give by surpassing the 56 gifts for Nursing in 2024's Giving Days. If we pass 56 gifts we will unlock an additional $20,000 for Nursing! Let’s uplift students together!
Completed
$1,000
Challenge to ABSN to support the Student Emergency Fund
An anonymous donor is challenging ABSN to support the Student Emergency Fund. Let's get 12 ABSN faculty and alumni to give to this critically important need for our students, and we will unlock $1,000!
Completed
2
Match
Podiatric Medicine Scholarship Match from Katrina Jawitz Di Pasqua 1990
Katrina Jawitz Di Pasqua, DPM 1990, has offered up an incredible $3,000 donor match! All gifts made to support the College of Podiatric Medicine scholarships will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $3,000. Thank you Dr. Di Pasqua.
$3,000 MATCHED
Completed
2
Match
Oakland City Center Campus Dollar-for-Dollar Match
One of our generous SMU Board of Regents, Kate Schapiro, has offered a challenge gift, matching all gifts made to support the new Oakland City Center Campus dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000.
$5,000 MATCHED
Completed
2
Match
Ethnic Health Institute (EHI) Dollar-for-Dollar Match
One of our generous SMU Board of Regents, has offered a challenge gift, matching all gifts made to support the Ethnic Health Institute (EHI) dollar-for-dollar, up to $2,500.
Completed
$10,000
Borgeson Family Strong Start Challenge
5:00PM DEADLINE: Our generous supporters Gerry (DIP ’68, Nursing) and Phil Borgeson are challenging us to give early! If we reach 50 donors before 5:00pm on May 13th, we will unlock a $10,000 donation to benefit student scholarship this year.
50 / 50 Gifts
Completed
$10,000
CPM Challenge from the Pagliano Family
Dennis and Connie Pagliano are pushing us to surpass $10,000 for Podiatric Medicine students, and they will unlock another $10,000 for the College of Podiatric Medicine! Uplift these future DPMs through giving today.
Completed
$5,000
MIDNIGHT DEADLINE: Final Push Challenge (All Programs)
An anonymous donor is encouraging us all to give by surpassing the 135 gifts raised in 2024's Giving Days. If we pass 135 gifts we will unlock an additional $5,000! Let’s uplift students together!
Completed
Participating Groups
College of Nursing Nurse Anesthesia Program (CRNA) College of Podiatric Medicine Occupational Therapy Program Physician Assistant Program Physical Therapy Program Student Emergency & Student Food Pantry Funds Ethnic Health Institute Oakland City Center Campus Military and Veteran Students
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Questions? See our FAQ.

Or you can contact us at giving@samuelmerritt.edu.

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