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History of the Museum The Great Lakes Children’s Museum was incorporated as a Michigan nonprofit corporation in 1998. It obtained formal acknowledgment of its tax-exempt status from the IRS in 2000. During the first four years, a dedicated Board of Trustees worked diligently and unceasingly with other community volunteers to bring the Children’s Museum to northwest lower Michigan. Through their commitment and energy, an important cultural resource has been brought to the children and families of this area. The majority of Trustees did not have any prior board experience. Despite that, they managed to: - Successfully mount a founder’s campaign in 1999 ($60,000); - Initiate an outreach program in 1999, and over the next two years to reach 11,400 children; - Conduct successful fundraising events in FY 1999-2000 ($42,000) and FY 2000-2001($55,000); - Hire an Executive Director in the fall of 2000; and - Locate and renovate the Museum’s first site in early 2001. Following that, a capital campaign successfully raised $430,000 with the generous assistance of many individuals, family foundations, corporations, and foundations. The five-thousand-square-foot site was converted into the current Museum facility and opened on August 12, 2001. This has been accomplished by a hands-on, working board, dedicated to making the Museum’s mission a reality. The Museum continues to grow and the Board’s effectiveness continues to evolve. Many members of the community recognize the achievement of the Founders and the past and present Board members as extraordinary. To go from a vision to an operating museum in just over three years is remarkable. However, the Board of Trustees does not look back at past achievements to justify the need for future support. As discussed above, the Board and staff are constantly engaged in self-evaluation and strategic planning to improve the quality and scope of the services and programs that we offer. |
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Great Lakes Children's Museum Visit - 13240 S. West Bayshore Drive (M-22) • Greilickville Mail - P.O. Box 2326 • Traverse City, MI 49685 • 231.932.4526 GreatLakesKids.org
© 2007 Great Lakes Children's Museum. All Rights Reserved.
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