Funding Received for New Signature Exhibit and Expansion at Children’s Museum

The Children’s Museum of Phoenix has been awarded a groundbreaking grant of .5 million from Lilly Endowment Inc., representing the most significant single financial contribution in the institution’s history. This funding will be instrumental in developing a new exhibit focused on character education and enhancing existing exhibits, all aimed at promoting positive character development among children.

As a key player in fostering early childhood development, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix has committed itself to nurturing cognitive, emotional, and social growth in young visitors through imaginative play and exploration. In preparation for this transformative endeavor, museum officials engaged in comprehensive research throughout 2024, including Imaging Workshops with over 400 stakeholders, onsite prototyping, and feedback surveys targeting both members and visitors. This careful analysis identified five core character traits—Kindness, Curiosity, Bravery, Creativity, and Respect—that the Museum is primely positioned to cultivate in children.

Kate Wells, CEO of the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, expressed her enthusiasm: “This grant provides an extraordinary opportunity to deepen the impact we have on children’s lives. By inspiring character-building through hands-on, play-based experiences, we hope to spark lifelong values in the children and families we serve. We are deeply grateful to Lilly Endowment for supporting our vision to empower young minds.”

In the upcoming five years, the Museum will execute a series of initiatives supported by this substantial grant, which coincides with broader expansion efforts. The funding will also contribute to the Power of Play Capital Campaign, aimed at fully realizing a 27,000-square-foot expansion of the Museum. This expansion is backed by a lead investment of .37 million from the City of Phoenix’s Voter Approved 2023 General Obligation Bond, underscoring the city’s commitment to enhancing community resources for families.

This grant is part of Lilly Endowment’s Fostering Character Through Children’s Museums initiative, which actively supports children’s museums across the United States in creating programs that inspire the development of positive character traits among children and youth. The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is honored to be counted among 15 institutions selected for this initiative, reinforcing its vital role in educational enrichment.

Ted Maple, Vice President for Education and Youth Programs at Lilly Endowment, remarked, “Children’s museums are places where children of all ages can learn informally, discovering new ideas through play, multi-sensory experiences, and self-expression. We are excited to see how the museums funded through this initiative will help children and their families explore various character traits and reflect on ways these traits can be practiced and strengthened.”

This innovative approach to character development through play not only promises to enhance the educational landscape for children but also aligns with key developmental goals identified by educators and psychologists, making the Children’s Museum of Phoenix a critical resource for the community. The commitment to inspiring character-building experiences represents a forward-thinking shift in how informal education can shape young minds.