Director of Advancement Opportunity Guide 3124 - Flipbook - Page 2
BACKGROUND
Steps off the National Mall
and Pennsylvania Avenue,
National Children’s Museum
celebrates the joy of childhood
through science, technology,
engineering, arts, and math
(STEAM) exhibits and programs. The Museum is a next
generation institution, combining a science center with an
interactive children’s museum,
that sparks curiosity and ignites creativity for children under the age of 12.
Founded as the Capital Children’s Museum in 1974, the
Museum inspired and educated
children and their families in the
Washington region for more than
thirty years in Northeast Washington, D.C. Renamed in 2003
with U.S. Congressional designation, the National Children’s
Museum operated as a museum
without walls for several years;
serving the region through traveling exhibitions, partnerships
with other nonpro昀椀ts, as well as
community and school outreach
programs. After 17 years without
a permanent space in DC, the
Museum opened its new home
at 13th and Pennsylvania Ave
NW in early 2020.
This unique institution combines science center learning elements with children’s museum
experiences. Through twelve
exhibit and programming spaces on two 昀氀oors, the Museum
sparks curiosity and ignites creativity for children and families,
as well as key donors. Each
exhibit has a funding sponsor.
Exhibit sponsors include Nickelodeon, Spotify, Amazon, PNC
Bank, and Microsoft. National
Children’s Museum also offers
learning through play opportunities that are perfect for fami-
lies, such as birthday parties,
homeschool or play groups and
school 昀椀eld trips.
The current operating budget
is approximately $6.5M, comprising earned revenue, philanthropic support and public
funding. There are about 35
staff, of which 21 are full-time.
The Museum is governed by a
22-member deeply committed
and engaged Board of Directors composed of business and
civic leaders.
The Museum is an innovative
institution that creates wonder
and fuels innovation, and is a
space where children feel valued. The Museum’s leadership
believes that building a team
and experiences that embrace
diversity, equity, inclusion and
belonging is critical to their
mission, never 昀椀nished and
strengthens the Museum.