Children's Museum of Phoenix
Childhood Dreams Built By You Campaign
For years, Phoenix area parents had dreamed of creating a children's museum here. On family vacations to San Diego, Indianapolis and other cities, they had seen such museums, and witnessed firsthand the joy of discovery such places brought to their children.
Through the vision and hard work of many, the City of Phoenix made the former Monroe School on 7th Street and Monroe available. A children's museum was the perfect use for the old building and it was saved from the wrecker's ball.
Although the building was in hand, some $12.3 million was still needed for renovations, exhibits, startup funding and working capital. An enormous goal for such a new organization!
The project picked up steam in 2005 after the museum's board named Deborah J. Gilpin as its director. With over 15 years of experience in the field, her skill and tenacity brought a new energy to the campaign. In short order, Deb changed the project's name to the Children's Museum of Phoenix and named Powers Young & Company to direct its fundraising efforts.
The campaign's case for support was recrafted to reflect how the museum addressed one of Arizona's most pressing social issues — early childhood development. Further campaign momentum was created when Robert Sarver, the new owner of the Phoenix Suns basketball franchise, was named the campaign's general chair, along with Jerry Colangelo . A $1 million gift from Penny and Robert Sarver propelled the campaign forward and set a high standard for others to follow.
Renovation began in 2006 and with the success of the Childhood Dreams Built By You Campaign, the doors of the Children's Museum of Phoenix swung open for the first time in June 2008.
Today, hundreds of thousands of children and adults who care about them visit each year to engage their minds, muscles and imagination.
For a full list of our clients, past and present, download this PDF file.
