We unite as one Gael community to support students in need through the President's Emergency Fund (PEF).
Contributions to the PEF directly benefit SMC students, who as a byproduct of COVID-19 pandemic, are facing unprecedented hardships, including barriers to distance learning, loss of income from part-time and summer jobs, difficulty paying rent, and affording groceries.
In response to the financial crisis of 2008, Regent Lauren Speeth MBA '89 and the Elfenworks Foundation, along with other members of the Board of Regents at that time launched and invested in the President's Emergency Fund, in coordination with President Brother Ronald Gallagher, FSC, '69. Then, as now, the PEF helps students facing difficult circumstances remain on course to graduate. This spring, the Board of Trustees, Board of Regents, Alumni Board, and College leadership reinvigorated the PEF by making personal gifts and helping inspire others to donate.
While SMC is grateful to receive Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding, which helps some of our students, not all of our Gaels are eligible for this aid. We are leveraging the PEF to ensure all students — even those who can't receive CARES Act funding — get the financial assistance they need at this crucial time.
You can help the 385+ students who have demonstrated need by making a gift to the President's Emergency Fund.
Thank you for your generosity and compassion at this important time.
Thank you to everyone who has made a gift thus far. Your generosity is having an immediate impact on the students who need it most. We quickly distributed $76,051 of this urgent funding to more than 100 students already, and are not slowing down.
Yet, the scale of this crisis continues to expand. More and more students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic have come forward with detailed, expressed needs. As Saint Mary's begins the process of applying stimulus funds received through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, your thoughtful contributions provide continuity of support for our students in need. However, while the CARES Act provides much-needed support for some of our Gaels, there are still more that need your help — including those who do not qualify to receive aid from this Act, like undocumented and international students.
We are thereby raising the overall goal of our community-wide campaign and ask for your help in providing emergency funding to 200 students. We are seeking $150,000 from the Saint Mary’s community. Every single gift helps. Thank you for coming together as a community.
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