How to Start a Children's Museum
A children's museum is both good for the children and the community. The museum can draw a crowd to any part of town as long as it is safe and clean inside. The children's museum can bring people of all ages, ethnicities and socio-economic levels together to make a better life for the kids and the community. The following steps will help you get your children's museum going.
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Instructions
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Write up a business plan. Even though the museum will not be organized to make money, it will need a business plan. An article on how to write a business plan can be found on eHow.
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Set up a 501(c)(3) organization. A 501(c)(3) organization is set up within the Internal Revenue Code's (Code) guidelines. The guidelines require that the organization is not for profit and has a charitable, educational, or religious purpose. There are other specific details in the Code so read the statute. The tax status will enable the organization to operate through tax exempt donations and apply for grants.
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Get the community involved by finding inexpensive ways to tell the community what you want and they need. Call a meeting for community leaders and explain the business plan. Contact local churches and ask to hold an open meeting about the plan. Send flyers out through neighborhood schools or in the utility bill explaining the vision of the children's museum.
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Research revitalization programs that enable you to get a discounted or free location. People traveling to a children's museum will put up with a neighborhood revitalization plan. They want to see their community brought back to life. Ask the city mayor and other business owners in the area if they know of any programs.
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Raise money. This can be done through fundraising events, donations, bequests, and grants. Many grants that are given out require that the organization is already up and running so that the organization's money will not be given in vain. Find commercial sponsors. A local grocery store chain or a dentist's office may be willing to give. Ask everyone.
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Start small. You can expand later. The first start should involve the basic indoor activities like a restaurant, blocks room, art room, and a science type learning area. Design a separate area for smaller children and enclose it. A resource area is also helpful for parents.
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Pay your bills and continue to involve the community. Start sponsoring events and get your name out there. Be a part of the community and give back because you needed them to get to where you are now.
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Tips & Warnings
Contact the Association of Children's Museums for additional help.
Some utility companies allow nonprofits to add an insert into the monthly utility bills. This is a good method for getting the word out to a large group of people for little or no money.
