2020-2022 IMPACT REPORT
We reopened in June 2021 with a focus on accessibility & inclusion:
New Exhibits
Museums
for All
A national program providing free or reduced admission to those who qualify for EBT or WIC.
GRCM welcomed more visitors through this program than any other museum in Michigan (a notable accomplishment considering our pandemic closure)
Among 800 member museums, GRCM is in the top 25 for total visitors
Pay What
You Can Memberships
A GRCM-initiated program that offers discounted memberships to families that qualify for EBT or WIC.
Families give what they are able, starting at $20 per family membership.
6 re-imagined exhibits that are more accessible, including:
-
Little Meijer
-
The Spin Zone
-
Train Table
-
Bubbles
-
Kristen’s Corner
-
The Stage
Play increases creativity and resilience, and it’s all about the generation of diversity—diversity of interactions, diversity of behaviors, diversity of connections. ”
—Isabel Behncke
Field ethologist and primatologist
The Vision
One picture can say it all. I don’t know who to credit this photo to, but I look at this photo at least once a week for inspiration. It speaks volumes as to why we have made it 25 years. Those smiles of pure happiness do a magnificent job of hiding the stress our founding mothers endured as not only women leaders, but ones that were fighting for the critical importance of play. Still today we strive to overcome that “frivolous” factor. Only a pandemic could bring play to the forefront - we are here to support our community any way we can alongside the supporting men who wrote the original bylaws, insurance policies and (still) led the play committee - thank you Glenn Morris, Ed Wong-Ligda, Dale Rietberg. But one thing that people know us most for is our iconic building…thank you to the Woodricks and Balks. What a gift.
The Building
I’ve always told my children that the structure where you live is secondary to the people inside. When Aleicia & Bob Woodrick and Jim & Shirley Balk decided to donate the building to us, I am not sure if everyone could predict the future value or impact. Almost 4 million people have been given the opportunity to play, create lifetime memories, and spend time with loved ones, but the evolution of the GRCM has changed our neighborhood, too. The financial boost our organization provided our city at a time when not many people came to the corner of Fulton and Division is measured by the statistic that a current museum attendee spends $23 beyond their entrance fee. Those dollars are significant, and the women in the photo’s smiles belie the economic impact of what they set in motion.
The Team
I love to hear when people say, “I worked at the GRCM as an intern 20 years ago” or reading anecdotes at the end of the night from our play facilitators about what happened on the floor. “We were robbed….after a child shared that he took all the play money out of the Wee Bank” or “Bagger on aisle 5 needed right now” in our Meijer Grocery store or how to get that perfect bubble over your entire body. All of these memories have been made possible because of an extremely generous community of corporations, foundations and individuals, a fiscally wise group of board members and a hard working, gritty staff that always has the mission at the forefront. The past 25 years have intertwined these groups like a beautifully woven tapestry.
The Future
I am so proud of the foundation we have established around inclusivity, belonging and accessibility, but our next 25 years needs to be filled with more programs such as Museums For All, Pay What You Can, and Outreach Programs that extend our mission to our schools, parks and our neighborhoods. We have a path set thanks to the women in that photo, the iconic building, and our Team, but how quickly we get there depends on YOU. When I mentioned that PLAY was brought to the forefront during the pandemic is not a statement to take lightly. We all have suffered and endured over the last three years, but it does reinforce that we need outlets where our kids have the right to PLAY in their lives. Please continue to buy memberships, attend our State of Play Breakfast (one of the most playful events of the YEAR), and give what you can to operations and/or exhibits. You will be giving a gift that will extend the next 25+ years.
Thank you for your support. Thank you for believing in our mission.
Playfully and gratefully,
Maggie Lancaster, CEO (of play)
FINANCIALS
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
2019 Expenses Total $1,892,707
• Programs $1,412,398
• General & Administrative $320,202
• Fundraising $160,107
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
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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
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Leonard, David & Amy
Lewis, Cherai M.
Lewis, Marcie & Mark
Lothschutz, Paul & Kim
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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
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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
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Tadlock, Eddie
Taggart, Mindy
Talbot, Jenna
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Tanis, Katelyn
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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.
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Vanderleek, Scott & Melissa
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Varnum Attorneys At Law LLP
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Vault Of Midnight
Vector Distribution, LLC
Via Design
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W.K. Kellogg Foundation
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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
BOARD
THANKS FOR A GREAT YEAR!
We are an environment for play.
We advocate for the value of play.
We build minds through play.
