St. Mary’s Community Fund (SMCF) is a student-led, grant-making organization established in 1998. The mission of SMCF is to “educate young women about the importance of philanthropy through hands-on community service, fundraising, and grant-making.” In its first year, the members raised $2,000 and awarded grants to the Exchange Club and Hope House. Since then, SMCF has raised approximately $600,000, benefiting over 50 organizations.
SMCF members are responsible for raising money and overseeing the entire grant process. The students read the grant applications, present them at monthly committee meetings, organize site visits, and ultimately choose reliable and deserving grant recipients. A majority of the money is raised through the Give901 campus campaign in the fall.
This year, the SMCF awarded $35,620 in grants to six charitable organizations. The recipients were Baptist Centers for Good Grief, Community Legal Center, Eikon Ministries, Girls on the Run Memphis, Madonna Learning Center, and Memphis Child Advocacy Center. We are incredibly proud of the students involved in SMCF and their philanthropic efforts this grant cycle.
- Upper School