2024 IMPACT REPORT
PLAY
GROWS
CREATIVE
THINKING
COLLABORATION
PROBLEM
SOLVING
PHYSICAL
SKILLS
SOCIAL
EMOTIONAL
SKILLS
Nothing lights up a child's brain like play.
— Dr Stuart Brown, M.D.
Welcome to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum’s annual impact report! This year, we’re exploring how play connects every part of our mission. As we reflect on another year of growth, learning, and joy at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum (GRCM), we are reminded of the fundamental role that play serves in shaping the lives of children.
Play isn’t just child’s play; it’s how kids learn, grow, and imagine new possibilities. It's a vital tool for learning, exploration, and development. It’s how children make sense of the world, build social connections, and cultivate the creativity that will shape their futures and ours.
As you read through this annual report, I hope you are inspired by the incredible stories of children, families and of our team who impact the museum in so many unique ways. The GRCM is so much more than a dynamic and safe space for children to engage, imagine, and grow; we are creating a future workforce who is empathetic and conscientious of the people whom they work and live with.
As the saying goes, we are growing like weeds! I can’t wait to share 2025 with you as we bring National Traveling Exhibits like Alma’s Way: Welcome to My Neighborhood combined with local favorites such as the Rapid River Farm and the Mitten’s Kids Dental Exhibit.
Because of YOU, we are ensuring that play continues to be a central part of every child’s journey. Thank you for your unwavering support, which helps us keep this space open, accessible, and filled with opportunities for wonder, growth and JOY. Thank you for helping us ensure that play remains at the heart of every child’s journey!
Playfully,
Maggie Lancaster
CEO (of Play!)
2024 HIGHLIGHTS >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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"For nearly a decade, the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum has been a second home for our family. What started as a simple search for a fun indoor space on cold and rainy days quickly turned into something much bigger—an essential part of our kids’ childhoods."
Yen Nguyen, GRCM Member of 10+ years
A PLACE WHERE PLAY GROWS
a story from a GRCM member family
FINANCIALS
2024 Revenue Total $5,199,788
• Earned Income $1,243,108
• Donations $3,956,670
2024 Expenses Total $3,196,670
• Programs $2,032,378
• General & Administrative $532,910
• Fundraising $631,382
OUR CHAMPIONS
AARP
Acrisure
Adam Zahn
Aileen Leipprandt
Alexander Winn
Ali Whitley
Alison Mast
Allied Mechanical Services
Amway
Ana Ramirez-Saenz
Andrew DeVries
Andrew Herlein
Angelique Nowak
Anissa Eddie
Arnie's Bakery
Apexx Electric
Arrowaste, Inc
Ashleigh Draft
ASM Global
Baker Family Foundation
Bank of America
Bee Steel, Inc
Ben & Stacy Brenner
Biggby Coffee
Blake & Mary Krueger
Bloom Credit Union
Brenda Lamfers
Brett Filush
Buddy's Pizza
Carla & Glenn Morris
CARNEVALE
CDV5 Foundation
Chadwick Busk
Christine Hugmeyer
Cinco De Mayo
Cindy & Sean Foley
Cindy Wabeke
Corewell Health
Cornerstone Architects
Craft Outlet
Craig & Patti Mutch
Cynthia & Mark Janes
Dale & Sharon Rietberg
Dan & Tara Clappison
Dan Manning & Deb Kalinka Manning
Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation
Danielle Dennis
Danielle DeWitt
David & Bette Sebastian
David & Donna Hockstra
David & Rebecca Marquardt
David Gregory & Nicole Meloche-Gregory
Deborah & David Park
Deborah & Howard Wright
Delta Dental Foundation
Delta Dental of Michigan
Dewpoint IT
Dick & Betsy DeVos Family Foundation
Doeren Mayhew
Don & Marilyn Lancaster
Dorothy A. Johnson
Doug & Maria DeVos Foundation
Doug Parker
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
Dr. John's Healthy Sweets
DTE Energy Foundation
Duard & Patricia Warsen
Ed Wong-Ligda & Carol Ligda-Wong
Edward & Linda Cox
El Granjero Mexican Grill
Elevator Service Inc
Elizabeth Irving
Elizabeth Suvedi
Elyse Palmer
Emily Evans
Emily Evers
Emily Proctor
Engineered Protection Systems Inc.
Erhardt Construction
Erik & Kellianne Schumacher
Erin Antes
Etna Supply Company
EV Construction
Experience Grand Rapids
Fifth Third Bank
Fishbeck
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Frey Foundation
Furniture City Creamery
Gabriela Ryan
Gail & James Fahner
Georgia & Jeff Gietzen
Gerald & Jane Feldman
Glenn & Claudia Place
Glenn Morris & Associates
Grand Haven Area Community Foundation
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids Gold
Grand Valley State University
Greg Willit & Meg Miller Willit
Gregory & Dorothy Flaska
Growtrust Partners
Gun Lake Casino
Happy Taylor
Hazel Moore
Heather Barthelmes
Holden Kuhnert
Holly & Erick Johnson
Horizon Bank
Howard J. (Buzz) & Lisa Miller
Huntington Bank
ITC Holdings
iunderstand
J.C. Huizenga & Tammy Born Huizenga
Jack & Vickie Hannigan
Jack H. Miller *
Jacqueline Bultman
James & Bonnie Scarlett
Jamon Alexander
Janet Krueger
Jason & Julie Balgavy
Jason & Kelly Joseph
Jason Barnum
JB's Pizza
Jenna Bellovich
Jenna Betka-Pope
Jennifer & Jeff Mesler
Jennifer Feuerstein
Jenny VanderBoon
Jessica & Seth Yon
Jessica Edwards
Jessica Furrow
Jessica Henderhan
JJ & Kim Ooi
Joan McMillon
Jocelyn Dettloff
Joe Murphy
John & Barb Kruis
John & Mary Parker
John Ball Zoo
Jon Feinauer
Joni Cole
Judy Sopeland
Julia Atherton
Julie Balgavy Photography
Julie Cnossen
Justen Bowden
Karen & Steven Ender
Kate Pew Wolters
Katey Morse
Kathryn Stewart
Kathy & Jim Ringnalda
Katie & Derreck Asante
Keller Foundation
Kelley Stoppels & Shawn Hughes
Kelly & Doug Hutchings
Kelly Dyer
Kent Medical Foundation
Kent Pediatrics
Kevin Polston
Kilwins
Kirk & Amy Breukink
Kirstin Taylor
Kraig & Brigid Kloostra
Krispak Inc
Kristen DeHaan
Kristen Meinema
Kristi Haik & Stephen Durst
Kristin & Tom Gootjes
Kurt & Madelon Hassberger
Kyle & Win Irwin
Lake Michigan Credit Union
Laura Steenwyk
Lawrence Beamer
Leslee Rohs
Linda Patterson
Lindsay Spitler
Los Mariscos de Pancho
Louise & John Edison
Madcap Coffee
Maggie & Scott Lancaster
Maggie McPhee
Mandy & Goran Jurkovic
Margaret Vega & Tom Erdall
Margy Jones
Maria Opoku-Agyeman
Marlene & Denny Bongard
Marlin Feyen & Ruth Posthumus
Marne Becker-Baratta
Marsh and McLennan Agency
Mary & Rick* VandenBerg
Mary Ann McDonald
Mary Ann Sabo & Jeff Ott
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Mary Jo & Rob Pomeroy
Mary Muir
Mason Jones Shops
Matt & Bethany Brown
Matt Cook
Maureen Hale
Meagan Epperly
Megan Marshall
Megan Streng
Mei Mah & Dan Fechtner
Meijer
Melissa & Brad Collar
Melissa Shilliday
Mercantile Bank of Michigan
Mesmerize Media
Michael & Susan Jandernoa Donor Advised Fund
Michael Davis
Michael Wheeler
Michigan Arts and Culture Council
Michigan Dental Association Foundation
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Michigan Education Trust
Michigan Humanities
Miller Johnson Attorneys
Miranda Hillard & Bismarck Lopez
Mitten Kids Dentistry and Orthodontics
Natalie & Omar Hall
National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Humanities
National Heritage Academies
National Nail Corp
Nick & Cindy Paradiso
Nicole Cook
Noddea Skidmore
Northern Trust Bank
Olive Garden
One Stop Coney
Paul & Kim Lothschutz
Paula Brown
Peppino's
Peter C. and Emajean Cook Foundation
Philomena Mantella & Robert Avery
Plante Moran
PNC Bank
PNC Foundation
Rachel Jonaitis
Rachel Pullman
Reagan Marketing + Design LLC
Rehmann
Rick & Sara Armbruster
Rieth-Riley Construction Co., Inc.
Robert Fitzgerald
Robin Bartells
Robyn Bruining & Dennie Hilliard
Rotary Club of Grand Rapids
Ryan & Stephanie Formsma
Ryan Huizenga & Taylor Crison-Huizenga
Salma-Odaly Meza
Samantha Hatfield
Sandy & Kevin Jager
Schnelker, Rassi & McConnell PLC
Service Reproduction Company
Shannon Cohen
Shannon Harris
Shari & Matthew Berger
Sharon & Pat Bertram
Sommer Jabbar-Pearson
Steelcase Foundation
Steelcase, Inc.
Stephanie Naito
Stephen & Anne Scholler
Susan Smalley
Suzanne & Jerry Callahan
Tara Gwamna
Terry Norlin
Tesla Walter
The 4100 Group
The Gerber Foundation
Tim & Kim Long
Tim Hortons
Timothy & Shoran Williams
Tom & Denise Persons
Tony & Carolyn Roussey
Varnum LLP
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Walmart
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Wege Foundation
West Michigan Dental Foundation
West Michigan Hockey
West Michigan Perinatal Quality Collaborative
WGVU
William Vandervelde
*In Memoriam
STAFF
CEO
Maggie Lancaster
CDO
Natalie Hall
CFO & COO
Erin Crison
Controller
Jenifer Nyland
Director of Education & Play
Lacey Ahmed
Director of Operations
Carly Katt
Director of Marketing
Megan Geiken
Director of Exhibits & Facilities
Jeffrey MacDonald
Director of Grants & Evaluation
Madison Perian
Programs Manager
Sarah Butler
Gift Shop Manager
Ashley Soto
Volunteer Manager
Jennifer Hernandez
Educational Outreach Manager
Kate Meaton
Membership Manager & Database Coordinator
Alayna Forgette
Operations Coordinator
Jamal Dawson
Janitorial Manager
Omar Gonzalez
Janitorial Assistants
Jessica Carpenter
Roberto Gonzalez
Floor Managers
Ashley Soto
Kim Flores
Jenna Williams
Lily Snyder
Program Facilitators
Amanda Mykrantz
Claire Hammond
Haven Boyers
Liz VanOstran
Play Facilitators
Emily Vazquez
Essence Hill
Gil Lopez
Hailey McColgan
Isaac Ysseldyke
Jullian Greer
Kenadee Spicer
Marc Guiles
Matt Zabler
Michael Keys
Noah Kappelman
Qyliyah Lee
Rebeca Lopez
Romeo Ambrose
Saige Price
Tanya Moorman
Tori Arnold
Vrmadee Sherif
Willow Grey-Lughod
BOARD
Nick Paradiso
Michael Best Strategies
Past President
Jocelyn Dettloff
Mary Free Bed
Board President
Benjamin Brenner
Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band for Pottawatomi Indians (AKA Gun Lake Tribe) Tribal Council Member
& Gun Lake Tribe Gaming Authority
President Elect
Jessica L. Yon
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Vice President
Erik Schumacher
Rehmann
Treasurer & Secretary
John Parker
EV Construction
Member at Large
Members
Katherine (Katie) Mason Asante
Mason Jones
David Gregory, CEO & Lead Agent
Bullrush Sports
Kristi L. Haik, Ph.D.
Grand Rapids Community College
Miranda Hillard, MD
Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
Sommer Jabbar-Pearson, Ph.D.
Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Sandy Jager
Mercantile Bank
Jason Joseph
Corewell Health
Paul Lothschutz
H & S Companies
Mei Mah
Center for Educational Partnerships, GVSU
Krashawn Martin
City of Wyoming Director of Parks and Recreation
Colin Osborne
Meijer
Kevin Polston
Kentwood Public Schools
Dale Rietberg
Varnum, LLP
Jason Schnelker
Schnelker, Rassi, & McConnell, PLC
Kelley Stoppels
Miller Johnson
Margaret Vega
Fine Artist and Founding Director of SiteStudio and Children's Designing for Children Artist
THANKS FOR A GREAT YEAR!
We are an environment for play.
We advocate for the value of play.
We build minds through play.
