2019 IMPACT REPORT
PLAY
BUILDS
CREATIVE
THINKING
COLLABORATION
PROBLEM
SOLVING
PHYSICAL
SKILLS
SOCIAL
EMOTIONAL
SKILLS
Play matters because people matter. It reminds us of our interdependence and gives us a chance to really see other people. And in turn, to be really and truly seen.
—Jill Vialet, Founder of Playworks
Over the last 23 years, the museum has joyfully cultivated opportunities for educational play experiences for children and families - I am unable to go anywhere without hearing about a favorite memory from a child, high school student, or even you!
Enclosed are the highlights of the FY 2019 Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Impact Report. Prior to temporarily closing our doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had record high attendance and membership numbers - proof that the work the museum is doing is critical. Our Board is led by two physicians, Dr. Carolyn King (Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist) and Dr. Abeba Berhane (Pediatrician), who have been steadfast in their support and counsel. We are leading children’s museums in the nation in equitable access through our Museums for All program and our partnerships with the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative and Grand Rapids Public Schools.
Our country and our community have experienced unprecedented hardships in the last months. A global pandemic is challenging the ways we make connections. The Black Lives Matter Movement is challenging the way we acknowledge and disrupt systemic racism. We all know that children are resilient, and that resilience is fostered and enhanced through play. Now more than ever, play is essential for the healthy development of children. Using play as a learning tool, we are able to help children to grow into adults who are empathetic and are able to make their world a better place.
As I write this letter, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge and reflect on the many women who came before me who embraced the mission of the Children’s Museum. Women, like the ebullient Deb Bailey, a pillar of our community that we recently lost. Deb Bailey believed in the work of the museum so much that she brought her grandchildren in to play every week. Our founding mothers--Carla Morris, Alyce Greeson, Aleicia Woodrick and Georgia Gietzen--have shared stories of their perseverance in changing the mindset of play as a frivolous activity to a critical component of healthy mental, physical, and social-emotional outcomes for children.
Having the privilege of knowing these insightful women and their leadership skills is one of the reasons why we will passionately continue our mission in both cheerful and tough times. Our playful spirit is stronger than ever and will continue to be long into the future.
Thank you for your support. Thank you for believing in our mission.
Playfully and gratefully,
Maggie Lancaster, CEO (of play)
2019 HIGHLIGHTS >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
FINANCIALS
2019 Expenses Total $1,892,707
• Programs $1,412,398
• General & Administrative $320,202
• Fundraising $160,107
2019 Revenue Total $3,262,866
• MEDC Grant $1,500,000
• Donations $917,590
• Admissions $542,455
• Membership $222,633
• Other $44,738
• Rentals $35,450
OUR CHAMPIONS
Allen, Trent
Allied Mechanical Services, Inc.
Amway
Andrus, Celia & Larry
Anonymous
Anton, Michael & Charlotte
App, Richard & Monica Steimle-App
Arnie's Bakery, Inc.
ArtPrize
Atherton, Julia
Autism Support of Kent County
Autocam Medical
Backstrom, Brian
Bailey, Deb
Balk, James & Shirley
Bank of America
Banta, Beth & Ted
Barnes, Max & Becky
Bee Steel, Inc
Bentley, Thomas & Robin
Berhane, Abeba
Bertram, Sharon & Pat
Betancourt, Art & Kate
Betz, Kenneth & Brewer, Patricia
Biggby Coffee
Blackmon, Willie & Tasha
Bollaert, Jared & Sydney
Bongard, Dennis & Marlene
Boost Mobile
Bordner, Mark & Shirley
Bova, Donna
Boxed Water is Better LLC
Bradford, Veronica & Derek
Bradshaw, Lorenzo
Brame, Tracey
Breay, Jim & Jean
Breukink, Kirk & Amy
Britton, Brian
Brown, Danny & Erika
Brown, Matt
Buddy's Holding Company, LLC
Burnson, Elizabeth & Bob
Burress, Shanan
Buth, Danielle
Buursma, Jeffrey & Kristin
Calkins, Gabrielle & Thompson, Anne
Camira Fabrics
Campbell, Laura
Capozza, Richard
Cardwell, Robert
Cassady, John & Heather
CDV5 Family Foundation
Century Floorspace
Charles, Amy
Cheeze Kurls Inc.
Chemical Bank
Christy, Sharon J.
Christopher, Jennifer
Churchill Porter Elementary
City of Grand Rapids
Clappison, Dan & Tara
Conroy, Timothy
Construction Workforce Development Alliance
Cordes, John & Carol
Cornerstone Architects
Cox, Edward & Linda
Cranson, Elizabeth & Jeff
Crescentini, Vinci
Crison, Erin & Jeremy Aungst
Crowe, Greg & Kathleen
CS Erickson
CSM Services LLC
Cullen, William & Susan
Damore, Barbara S.
David & Carol Van Andel Family Foundation
Davis, Michael
Dawson, Ray & Elly Barnette
Decker, Tina Freese & Jason
Dekraker, Megan
Delta Dental of Michigan
DeVito, Kerry & Luke
DeWilde, Mandy & Michael
Dewpoint IT
DGRI
Dick & Betsy DeVos Family Foundation
Diocesan Publications
Disher
Dobson, Jolynne
Donovan, Kevinn & Janine
Doug & Maria DeVos Foundation
Dubey, Chelsea & Jeff
Durham, Jim & Dawn
Eileen DeVries Family Foundation
Elegance Wigs
El Granjero Mexican Grill
Elmouchi, Darryl & Sarah
Enchanted Gardener, LLC
Endres, Terry & Colleen
Erhardt Construction
Etheridge, Kathleen
EV Construction
Experience Grand Rapids
Fahner, James and Gail
Feagan, TJ
Feenstra, Lori
Feldman, Gerald & Jane
Flaska, Gregory & Dorothy
Fleming, Elaine
Foley & Lardner LLP
Forest Hills Central Middle School
Formsma, Ryan & Stephanie
Foremost Barber Shop
Forte, Sonja
Fox, Tom & Mickie
Freshii
Frey Foundation
Frier, Angela
Fulton Street Farmers Market
Gaddy, Arlen-Dean & Sandra
Gaydou, Dan & Lou Ann
Gensler, Kate
Gilbert, Kate
Gilbert, Ryan
Glenn Morris & Associates
Golomb, Katie
Gootjes, Kristin & Tom
Gordon Food Service
Graft, Erica
Grand Central Market
Grand Rapids Bicycle Company
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Grant, Kristian
Greer, Lauren
Gregory, David & Meloche-Gregory, Nicole
Grover, Max
H & S Companies
Hale, Mauree
Hall, Briana & Jacob
Hall, Natalie & Omar
Hannigan, Jack & Vickie
Hansen Balk Steel Treating Company
Hansen, Nicole & Bryon
Hansen, Therese
Hasse, Arthur & Betsy
Hatfield, Erick
Hayes, Chantal
Health Net of West Michigan
Hebert, Brad
Hebreard, Dana & Michael
Heemstra, Lynn
Heidema, Gilbert
Hendershot, Tom & Carol
Hesseman, Jim & Debbie
Hibbard, Helene
Hill, Barbara
Hockstra, David & Donna
Hoexum, Heather & Chris
Hodgkins, Sarah
Hollenbeck, Phil
Hollenbeck, Phillip G.
Hondorp, Shawn
Hortech
Horizon Bank
Howland, Michael & Pamela
Hufnagel, Bill & Kim
Huizenga, J.C. & Tammy
Huizinga, Steve & Stacy
Hungerford Nichols CPAs + Advisors
Hutchings, Kelly
Icon Sign Company, LLC
Irwin, Win & Kyle
J & H Family Stores
J. Visser Design
Jager, Sandy & Kevin
Jandernoa Foundation
Jereb, Heather & Greg
Jimmy John's
Jones, Cara & Mike
Joseph, Jason & Kelly
Jurkovic, Mandy & Goran
Kaiser, Jeff
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Karl, Justin & Laura
Keller Foundation
Kelley Cawthorne
Kent District Library
Kettering Family Foundation
Keyser Insurance Group
King, Carolyn
King, Rachel
King, Tony & Lisa Oliver
Kloostra, Brigid & Kraig
Klotz Family Foundation
Knape, Glenna & Herbert
Knight, Lisa
Koop, Al & Robin Horder
Koster, Tim
Krueger, Mary & Blake
Krupinski, Christopher
Kurz, Irwin
Lake Michigan Credit Union
Lam, Geoffrey
Lamfers, Mike & Brenda
Lancaster, Don & Marilyn
Lancaster, Scott & Maggie
Lantern Coffee Bar & Lounge
Lara, Kate
Larson, Bob
Lautenbach, Steve
Layman, Dan & Moore, Kristine
Lee, Julie
Lee, Paul & Jessica
Lee, Rachel
Leonard, David & Amy
Lewis, Cherai M.
Lewis, Marcie & Mark
Lothschutz, Paul & Kim
Luttenton, Charles & Mary
Lynema, Dan & Andria
M.R. Metzger Family Foundation
MadCap Coffee
Maguire, Matthew
Manning, Dan & Deb Kalinka
Marchand, Neil
Maycroft, Terry
McCarthy, James
McCarthy, Terrence & Amber
McDonald, William & Mary Ann
McGhee, Jason & Kania
McLoughlin, Mary
McMillon, Joan M.
McNeilly, John
MCPc The Data Protection Company
McShane & Bowie PLC
Mead, Bob & Pat
Meijer
Melvin-Gholston, Myesha
Mercantile Bank of Michigan
Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Midwest Capital Advisors LLC
Milkovich, Keri & Matt
Millar, Mark & Tara
Miller Johnson Attorneys
Miller, Duke
Miller, Howard (Buzz) J.
Miller, Jack H.
Miller, Nancy
Mitchell, Angela
Mnemonix Technology Consulting, LLC
Mobile GR & Parking Services
Moore, Denny & Kimberly
Morris, Glenn & Carla
Morse, Katey
Moyer, Tonja
Muir, Mary
Mulligan, Terri
NAPA Auto Parts
National Heritage Academies
Neal, Leslie
Nelis, Karin
Nelson, Angela
Nemitz, Tom & Luann
Network for Good
New Holland Brewing Co.
Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund
Notions Marketing
O'Gorman, Alison
Olivarez, Juan & Mary
Oudbier, James
Our Kitchen Table
Outman, Kathryn
Outman, Lauren
Panera Bread
Paradiso, Liz
Paradiso, Nick & Cindy
Paradiso, Nick & Terry
Parent, Polly
Paris, Dorothy
Park, David & Deborah
Parker, John & Mary
Parr, Donna
Patin, Ken
Patterson, Linda
Pawl, Brenda
Paws With A Cause
Payment, Jamie
Penland, Brandan
Persons, Tom & Denise
Peter Albertini Properties, LLC
Pierson, Larry
Place, Glenn & Claudia
Plante Moran
Plunkett, Timothy
PNC Foundation
Poole, Jody & Andrew
Pope, Lynne & Sanchez, Carlos
Posthumus, Ruth & Feyen, Marlin
Potter, Brian & Essy
Powell-May, Tanya D.
Preston, Laurie
Price, Nika & Marcel
Priority Health
Progressive AE
Pullen, Karen & Dave
Randall, Tara
Ratuszny, Jeff
Reagan Marketing + Design, LLC
Rehmann
Reidsma, Martha
Rietberg, Dale & Sharon
Rieth-Riley Construction
Ripp, Angela
Robinson, Amy & Tony
Rockford Construction
Rodammer, Nick & Nicole
Rosenthal, Jeffrey & Sherry
Ross, Helena
Roussey, Tony & Carolyn
S. Abraham & Sons
Scarlett, James & Bonnie
Schaub, Robert & Marcia
Schnelker, Jason & Windy
Schnelker, Rassi & McConnell, PLC
Scholler, Steve & Anne
Schra, Lisa
Schumacher, Erik & Kellianne
Sebastian Foundation
Setlock, Scott & Christina
Sherry, Chris (Charles) & Kari
Shultz, Todd
Smith, Hilary & Jared
Smith, Sharon
Sorensen, Scott & Susan
Sorovigas, Stella
SpartanNash
Spectrum Health
Starbucks
Steelcase Foundation
Steenwyk, Laura & Dan
Stella, Fred & Thome, Teresa
Stoppels, Kelley & Hughes, Shawn
Stratton, Casey & Stratton-Lindsay, Kurt
Stratton, Nick & Tricia
Sweet, Kayle
Sword, Katherine & Jarod
Tadlock, Eddie
Taggart, Mindy
Talbot, Jenna
Tamales Mary
Tanis, Katelyn
Targosz, Daryl & Cami
Taylor, Happy
Taylor, Matt & Bethany
Teeter, Geoffrey
TenHarmsel, Michael & Lynn
The Apothecary
The Breton Group
The Dog Pit
The Gremel Group, Inc.
The Kendall Group
The Winchester
Thompson-Busch, Angela
Titche, Marilyn
Traxler, Laura
Trimer, Margaret
Umstead, Linda
Universal Wireless Inc.
Valley Truck Parts Inc.
VandenBerg, Richard & Mary
Vanderband, Patricia
Vanderleek, Scott & Melissa
VanderRoest, Julie & Ryan
VanderVeen, Johanna
Varnum Attorneys At Law LLP
Vaughn, Shanda
Vault Of Midnight
Vector Distribution, LLC
Via Design
Vos Graham, Linda & Ken Graham
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Wabeke, Douglas & Cindy
Walkendorf, Mark & Lisa
Wallerstein, Ben
Warner, Jan & Thomas
Washington, Ardina & Mark
Watt, Colleen
Wealthy Elementary
Welker, George
Weller Auto Parts
Wells Fargo Foundation
West Michigan District Dental Society
White, Erin & Shannon
Wickstrom, Ben & Jen
Wilcox, Travis & Ellie
Williams, John & Cindy
Williams, Juana & Antwuan
Williams, Timothy & Shoran
Williams Kitchen & Bath
Willit, Greg & Meg Miller
Winslow, Charles & Sopeland, Judy
Wolters, Claire
Wolters, Kate Pew
Wolverine Worldwide Foundation
Wong-Ligda, Ed & Ligda-Wong, Carol
Woodrick, Aleicia & Bob
Worthington, Bob
Wortz, Bill
Wright, Jo & Jack
Yon, Seth & Holland, Jessica
Young, Jonse & Allen
Zahn, Adam
STAFF
CEO
Maggie Lancaster
CFO & Director of Human Resources
Sharon Bertram
COO
Erin Crison
Office Manager & IT
Juli Atherton
Director of Exhibits
Jake Bouck
Membership Manager
Megan Geiken
Director of Education
Lauren Greer
Program Manager
Rachael Kaniewski
Facilities Manager
Moe Zamarron
Database, Grants, & Volunteer Manager
Bridgette McGee
Accessibility & Inclusion Manager
Rachel McKay
Administrative Coordinator
Jess Rios
Educational Outreach Manager
Lianna Tagle
Development Manager
Natalie Hall
Scheduler
Skye Thomas
Lead Floor Manager & Rental Coordinator
Carly Eck
BOARD
Board President
Carolyn King, MD, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist,
C. King Psychiatry
Past Board President
Michael Lamfers, Plante Moran
President Elect
Abeba Berhane, MD, HDVCH, Spectrum Health
Vice President
Jason Schnelker, Schnelker, Rassi, & McConnell, PLC
Board Treasurer & Secretary
Paul Lothschutz, H&S Companies
Member at Large
Kelley Stoppels, Miller Johnson
Members
Jolynne Dobson, Byron Center Public Schools
David Gregory, Kelley Cawthorne
Steve Huizinga, Allied Mechanical Services, Inc.
Sandy Jager, Mercantile Bank
Jason Joseph, Spectrum Health
Mandy Jurkovic, Community Advocate
Terrence McCarthy, PNC Bank
Carla Morris, Glenn Morris & Associates
Angela Nelson, Experience GR
Lisa Oliver-King, Our Kitchen Table
Nick Paradiso, National Heritage Academies
John Parker, EV Construction
Dale Rietberg, Varnum, LLP
Kari Sherry, Community Advocate
Sharon Smith, Aquinas College
Ed Wong-Ligda, Fine Artist
THANKS FOR A GREAT YEAR!
We are an environment for play.
We advocate for the value of play.
We build minds through play.
