Children's Museum of Richmond
Where learning is always in play!
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Field Trip Programming
The Children's Museum offers field trip opportunities for students ranging from pre-kindergarten to third grade. These visits include free play and a 45-minute educator-led program emphasizing Math, Science, History and Art. All programs are aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning or Virginia's Foundation Blocks of Early Learning standards. The museum curriculum is designed to offer a hands-on learning experience that requires problem-solving and opportunities for creative ownership that are not always available in the classroom.
Parent and Caregiver Programs
After merging with the Children's Museum of Richmond in 2013, Commonwealth Parenting has become mission-driven in caregiver outreach through partnerships with schools, and non-profit organizations. Programs include hands-on activity stations, group learning opportunities, brief informational presentations, and kindergarten readiness activities.
Children's Museum Book Bank
Since taking over the Book Bank in 2012 the Children's Museum has given away more than 250,000 books to
children in and around Central Virginia who cannot afford or do not have access
to books. By providing opportunities for children to read and be read to, the
Book Bank is an important tool in improving school readiness for
pre-kindergarten-aged children and enhancing literacy in school-aged children. The Book Buggy hit the streets of Richmond in April 2016 to deliver books directly to schools and neighborhoods where students live. During the summer months, the Book Buggy visits the region’s government housing units and low-income neighborhoods on a weekly basis. Children are invited to hop on the buggy and pick out an age-appropriate book that piques their interests.
Programming for Children with Special Needs
Special Nights is a free monthly program designed for youth age 18 and under with a disability. Families explore the museum with a reduced number of visitors and accommodations to create a sensory-friendly environment. In an effort to make the holiday tradition accessible to all children, CM hosts the Sensitive Legendary Santa event in December, which welcomes families at no cost. Families enjoy a no-wait visit with Santa, special activity stations in addition to the museum’s exhibits, and a judgment-free zone to interact with other families in the Special Needs community. CM offers year-long volunteer opportunities to students with disabilities in job skills training programs. Collaborations with organizations like The Faison School for Autism have provided CM with over 600 volunteer hours a year. Collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University allows CM to offer adapted field trip programs and supplies to school groups of students with disabilities.
Special Events
The Children's Museum of Richmond hosts special events each year that highlight the diversity and celebrate the cultural traditions of the Greater Richmond communities. Each is designed with an educational focus and aligns with our other initiatives/programs. During these events local artists, musicians, teachers, and dancers often showcase their skills and pride for their culturally-affiliated organizations.
Where we work
Accreditations
Better Business Bureau of Central VA - Accredited Charity 2012
Affiliations & memberships
ConnectRichmond 2005
CultureWorks 2005
Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce 2005
Greater Richmond Visitors Bureau 2005
United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg Partnership Agency 2005
Virginia Association of Museums 2005
HandsOn Greater Richmond 2016
Museums on the Boulevard 2016
Partnership for Families - Northside 2016
Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence 2016
Smart Beginnings-Early Child Development Coalition 2016
Virginia Association of Museums 2016
Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2016
External reviews

Photos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Over the next 3 to 5 years the Children's Museum of Richmond wants to provide programming and support to families in the Central Virginia Area. The Children's Museum of Richmond normally works with children ages 0 to 8 and their caregivers but also provides programming for older children as well.
1) Play a meaningful role in improving Kindergarten readiness for the area's under-resourced children
2) Be the first source for important early childhood information for parents/ caregivers
3) Encourage the use of learning through play in tandem with traditional classroom learning
4) Educate the public on childhood development
5) Encourage literacy by distributing books from the Central Virginia Children's Book Bank to under-served children
6) Educate older children on the importance of philanthropy and the non-profit community
7) Provide a safe environment for children to play
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Children's Museum of Richmond has a number of strategies it has implemented to meet its goals.
1) CM merged with Commonwealth Parenting to provide important information on parenting. Commonwealth Parenting offers free parenting classes to under-resourced families, speaking engagements from renowned childhood development experts, and demonstrations free of charge in the museum facility.
2) CM took charge of the Children's Museum Book Bank. The book bank hands out new and like-new books to under-resourced children. They are delivered directly to children at school and given out to all scholarship field trips.
3) CM began the Junior Intern Program to introduce high school students to the importance of philanthropy. Junior Interns are given a college scholarship after completing volunteer hours as well as attending training sessions on non-profits.
4) CM provides scholarship memberships as well as scholarship field trips so all children have a chance to learn through play. CM has strong partnerships with local community partners and schools to help distribute the available services.
5) CM has created a mobile app with the Carmax Foundation to help prepare children' for kindergarten. In addition, CM hosts a kindergarten readiness program for local preschools as well as a kindergarten kick off event.
6) CM provides exhibits which are designed to encourage learning in unconventional ways.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Children's Museum of Richmond has a number of deep partnerships which will help the museum meet its long term goals. The museum created an Education Advisory council made up of education experts as well as local superintendents to advise the Children's Museum of Richmond. The museum works with community partners like the YWCA, Peter Paul Development Center, Partnership for Families, and The Sacred Heart Center. The Children's Museum of Richmond is partnered with Venture Richmond for the folk festival and helps with many other local attractions.
The museum operates on a $4 million budget with 68% of its income coming from earned revenue and the remaining 32% contributed. The museum has a full time staff of 30 and a part time staff of 50. Staff is trained to interact with children and guests. Key staff members include: President and CEO Shannon L. Venable, Chief Operating Officer Meredith Harris, and Chief Financial Officer Salina Scioscia.
The Children's Museum of Richmond has four locations in Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, and Fredericksburg. By expanding the number of locations, the museum has been able to serve even more children in Virginia.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The Children's Museum of Richmond has made great progress toward reaching our goals. 37% of the museum's field trip guests came at a free or reduced rate. The Children's Museum Book Bank has increased the number of books distributed each year. At the current rate of distribution, the museum hopes to deliver over 35,000 books this year.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Children's Museum of Richmond
Board of directorsas of 05/17/2023
Lynn Mussatt
CarMax
Term: 2022 - 2024
Melvin Watkins
M&T Bank
Nick Harrison
KPMG
Kamran Khan
Altria
Kelly Beazley
Bank of America
Lynn Mussatt
CarMax
Shawn Harrigan
BDO
Loretta Tabb
Wells Fargo Advisors
Raj Malhotra
HCA Virginia
Mary Farrell
Community Volunteer
Gordon Crenshaw
Blue Heron Capital
Amy Kelley
Virginia Commonwealth University
Barbara Markham Smith
Virginia Commonwealth University
Martha Schley Smith
Cochlear Americas
Chris Way
Way Law PLLC
Pauline Cheatham
Dominion Energy
Sally Tate
Hourigan
Mary Colleen Beers
Capital One
Sigmund Collins
Sigmund J. Collins, PLLC
William Muangala
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Ashley P. Peterson
McGuireWoods
Brendan M. Staley
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Doug Stoup
Spectrum
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
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Gender identity
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Sexual orientation
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Disability
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