Donations

The Children's Museum of Memphis is a private, nonprofit, 501(c)3 educational organization. Funds are generated by private contributions (43%) and earned income (57%).

Make a donation by mail or fax:
Donation Form

Make a donation using a credit card:
Online Donation Form

Books: See our Amazon Wish List

Plan Your Gift to The Children's Museum of Memphis

There are numerous ways to make a charitable gift to The Children’s Museum other than writing a check to the museum during the year. Creating a structured gift plan as part of your estate or financial plan can insure that CMOM will be able to fulfill the needs of the children of Memphis and the Mid-South now and for many years to come. At the same time, a gift plan can help you save income and estate taxes and help you address other financial planning goals. You may be able to give more to the museum than you thought possible!

Naming The Children’s Museum of Memphis as a beneficiary of your will or as the beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy is one simple way to plan your gift. Other plans may involve the use of charitable trusts, appreciated assets, pooled income funds, charitable gift annuities or charitable foundations. In most cases, our staff can consult with your professional advisors to tailor the gift plan to meet your needs and benefit the museum. Please don’t hesitate to call us to learn more at 901-458-2678, ext. 234.

If you have already named The Children’s Museum as a beneficiary of your will or other estate or gift plan, please let us know so we can say “thanks!”

Giving for the Future

For over 18 years, The Children's Museum of Memphis has provided fun and educational exhibits, events and programs for children and families. We could not have thrived without the dedication of community leaders, volunteers and our members.

Like many other children's museums, we periodically calculate the actual cost of serving each visitor so that we can be constantly aware of all the financial dynamics involved in operating the museum. Our cost per visitor is $9.26, an amount typical for comparable museums. The amounts that we currently charge visitors are $9 per person and $5.50 for each child who visits with a school group. These admission charges, along with membership fees and a few other items, make up our earned income (about 57% of revenue); contributions and sponsorships make up the rest. Our earned income rate is impressive contrasted with that of comparable museums but obviously still leaves a gap.

Sometimes our members say to us, "We'd like to help you, our favorite non-profit, but we're not sure what is the best way to support the work of the museum." Below we have described some of the ways you can do just that.

  • The company you work for can become a Corporate Partner and receive many benefits including free admission to the museum for employees and their families.

  • Honorariums provide a perfect way to pay tribute to a grandchild, teacher, neighbor, or for birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, etc.

  • Memorials offer the opportunity to honor a loved one.

  • Gifts to our "Yes, EVERY Child!" admission program provide underprivileged children and families the opportunity to visit the museum.

  • Companies and individuals can Sponsor our education programs, traveling exhibits, publications and special events. For companies, this offers them the opportunity to help the museum, as well as provide additional employee benefits and marketing opportunities.

  • The museum has an Endowment that needs continued growth in order to ensure its financial future.

  • Volunteers and In-Kind Donations go a long way in helping hold down costs.

  • Year-End Gift is a favorite for some people who want to support the museum and receive a tax-deduction.

  • A Bequest to the museum via estate planning is another way to benefit the museum. If you have already done this, we definitely would like to know so we can say thank you.

There are other ways you can help, and if you would like more information on how to make a donation or volunteer opportunities, please email the Chief Financial Officer or call 901-458-2678, ext. 234. Thank you!

Have a Heart for the "Yes, EVERY Child!" Fund

Since 1990, the "Yes, EVERY Child!" (YEC) Fund has been providing admission for underserved children and families to visit the museum. CMOM is committed to making exhibits and educational programs accessible to all children and families. We never turn a child, family or school group away due to inability to pay the admission fee.

Our current admission is $9 per person, but in reality, it costs the museum $9.26 per person to serve each guest, so you can see why we need support for YEC. Please help now by calling 901-458-2678 to charge your tax-deductible gift by phone with Visa, MasterCard or Discover, Print the Form and mail with your check to: "Yes, EVERY Child!," The Children's Museum of Memphis, 2525 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104-5926, or make your Donation Online. Thanks!

For information on donations:
 Email Chief Financial Officer or call 901-458-2678, ext. 234