Return to flip book view
Message Annual Impact Reportsanta cruz children’s museum of discovery2023-2024
In 2023, we embarked on a journey to embrace the elemental through the introductionof innovative exhibits and programs. From getting down in the dirt with new programsto reaching airy heights with new exhibits, we sought to inspire and educate ourcommunity in innovative ways.The addition of a Program and Outreach Coordinator has been instrumental inexpanding our reach and ensuring that our programs resonate with a diverse audience.We have hosted events for a wide range of groups--including nonprofits,developmentally disabled adults, toddlers and infants, summer camp providers, andour local 4H group. As a result of these investments by the museum, we were thrilledto see our admissions numbers return to pre-pandemic levels with over 40,000 peoplevisiting this museum this year--a testament to the fire of our community's enthusiasmfor our new activities and programming.From a new IMLS research grant to study access programs at museums to ourcontinued support of just under one third of our visitors as free or reduced admissionguests, we continue to make waves by breaking down barriers to ensure everyone canaccess and feels welcome in our museum. As we look ahead to our 10th anniversary in November 2024, we are excited to see thisfoundational work make an even greater impact for the children of Santa Cruz County.We invite you to explore this report and discover the transformative power of ourmuseum for local families.AN ELEMENTAL YEAR WITH ELEMENTAL IMPACT02 | Impact Report BOARD OF DIRECTORSSeth RederChairEmily JacobsonVice ChairBrian SchulzTreasurerVicki BoriackSecretaryMargaret Carino-CondonJim FelchRoss JohnstonBob KeetPatrice KeetFounder & Emeritus Board Rhiannon CrainExecutive DirectorSeth RederBoard ChairYour support makes this possible! Make sure to joinus this Fall for our 10th anniversary gala tocelebrate our Decade of Discovery!
03 | FY 2024IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO LOVE THE YOUNG; THEY MUST KNOW THAT THEY ARE LOVED.St. John Bosco
Did you know our Executive Director,Rhiannon Crain, had a whole career as aneducational researcher before taking thisjob? Well, for the next three years she is amember of a multi-institution research teaminvestigating the efficacy of a nationalprogram called Museums for All designed toremove the cost-barrier for entrance tomuseums around the United States. MODhas been a member of this program since2021 which has enabled 1000s of visitors toaccess our children’s museum for just $3.The program has grown to include over 1300 museums, zoos, and gardens around An Access Program that Spans the NationMUSEUMS FOR ALLLast year over1/4 of ourvisitors utilizedone of our freeor reduced-price programsto access themuseum!04 | Impact Report the U.S.!
MOD by the NumbersVisited with free orreduced admissionStaff (all part time!)Of visitors comemore than onceNew exhibits lastyearGuests servedannually12,000+1075%650,000>850Birthdayscelebrated @MODFY 2024 | 05
PLAY WITH PURPOSEIf exhibits are the heart of our museum, ourprogramming is the soul. This year we built out oureducation team and saw our programs and exhibitstake flight. Grounded in a deep understanding ofearly childhood education, we aim to buildexperiences for children that make their eyes lightup through surprise, exploration with phenomena,creativity, open-ended play, and even a littlesilliness. It is all a part of healthy learning. Check out all the fun happening at the museum!06 | Impact Report
SOARING PROGRAMSTeddy BearClinicsLed by Cabrillostudent nurses!Designed to helpkids use play toovercome fear ofdoctor’s visits.Fairy HousebuildingFosters creativity, promotes community,enhances spatial awareness, and encourages environmentalawareness.Potion-MakingEncourages creativity,enhances fine motor skills,introduces basic scienceconcepts, and promotes sensory exploration.Real Tools!Develops fine motor skills,boosts confidence, fostersproblem-solving, encouragesindependence, and enhancesunderstanding of basicmechanics.07 | FY 2024
08 | Impact Report Pioneered the “airfountain”--8 fans arrangedin a circle allowing openended exploration with aircurrents, flight, and fullbody involvement. Thisnew exhibit captures theimagination with itsaesthetic appeal andhypnotic movement.Transformed our kineticsand box, enhancingimaginative and sensoryplay. Kinetic sand is messyand expensive (we keepthis one stocked withspecial sand straight fromSweden to the tune of$2000 each year!).
04 | Annual Report 202309 | FY 2024In a year-long youth-centered partnership withSoquel 4H, we engagedyouth in a collaborativeexhibit build resulting in anepic new prehistoricdinosaur play area with aglowing volcano. Thesekinds of programs arecentral to the community-centric ethos of ourmuseum. We played with water in allits forms this year--as icewith our Snow Days wherean innovative partnershipwith a local shave icebusiness brought the snowto the museum--to ourengineering-oriented sailboat wind tunnel challengefor visiting school kids.
1,040,002Square feetvacuumed by Samthe Roomba this year5 2 % O p e r a t i o n s & A d m i n | $ 1 8 3 , 7 9 13 1 % E d u c a t i o n ( E x h i b i t s & P r o g r a m s ) | $ 1 0 9 , 4 5 71 3 % V i s i t o r S e r v i c e s | $ 4 5 , 5 1 05 % . F u n d r a i s i n g | $ 1 7 , 6 7 52 0 % M e m b e r s h i p s | $ 9 5 , 1 6 32 3 % A d m i s s i o n s | $ 1 1 4 , 0 7 11 5 % P r o g r a m s | $ 7 2 , 2 1 92 2 % . G r a n t s | $ 1 0 7 , 6 7 41 8 % C o n t r i b u t i o n s | $ 3 9 , 2 2 52 % G i f t S h o p | $ 1 1 , 4 3 6FINANCIAL OVERVIEWWe were cautiously optimistic aboutour potential for earned revenue thisyear and exceeded our expectations.This was reflected in our admissions--we had seven days where morethan 500 people visited our smallmuseum. And, we continue to be oneof the most visited museums inSanta Cruz County. Our operationsand admin and education expensesgrew this year as we built out ourteam to bring stellar, creative,engaging play-with-purpose to ourcommunity. 2023-2024 FINANCIALSExpensesIncomeFiscal Year 2024July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024$489,973.00$232,038.0010 | Impact Report
Thank you to our volunteers. Individuals listedvolunteered regularly between July 1, 2023, andJune 30th, 2024. We also want to thank the 19Youth Volunteers (ages 14+) and Play Ambassadors (aged 11-13) who contributed at the museum this past year.$1000 - $2499Bonnie Keet & Stephan AdamsJudson Ward & Rhiannon CrainMary JamesSeth & Andrea RederChris & David CrainNeil & Debra Gluskin$500 - $999Lisa & John OlsonEmily & Chris JacobsonVicki BoriackBrian ScholzAaron Burstein & Corinne KeetMichael Cottingham$250 - $499Michelle Montalvo & Ricardo Gudino JuarezBertrand AchardAnonymous AnonymousRichard Curtin$50 - $249Janice ManabeMargaret Carino-CondonBarry & Janette RederJessica RederMichaela GetzRobert & Kathleen MolerCatherine & Jared RodeckerSandra PratherAllan KassGeorgina WongLarry Wallman & Wendy BellLori BurkettMr. Brian Ashford and StaceyAndersonPatricia & Hayes NoelPat & Tony MaldiTom YountCassie BlomCarol HillCarol TangKevin KarplusJason HornerFISCAL YEAR 2024 DONORSThe Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery relies on generous donors to support andfund the advancement of our mission each year. We gratefully acknowledge all theindividuals, companies, foundations, and government entities for their gifts, sponsorships,and grants which supported a year of playing, laughing, and learning. Donors are listedaccording to their total monetary and in-kind donations received between July 1, 2023 andJune 30, 2024.We also thank 280 individuals for theircontributions of less than $50ORGANIZATIONAL DONORS$10000 & ABOVECity of Capitola$5000-$9999Institute of Museumand Library Services$5000 & ABOVEPatrice & Robert KeetEdward Newman$2500-$4999Jim & Donna FelichINDIVIDUAL DONORSVOLUNTEERSFY 2024 | 11$1000 - $4999Omega Nu$50-$999Wonderland ToysWe’ve made every effort toensure the accuracy of theselists. If you believe an errorhas been made, pleasecontact our team atcontactus@sccmod.org.Linda Valenziano Terry Grove Sue Creswell Debbie LewisMichaela GetzRoger HeitzmanBob KeetJim Felich
This was Just a drop in thebucket...wait until you seewhat we have in store forthe next 10 years!W W W . S C C M O D . O R G