A message from our ceo
What an extraordinary year it has been at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, one marked by major milestones that will shape the lives of children for years to come.
In 2023, Phoenix voters affirmed their belief in the power of play by approving $5.37 million in GO Bond funding, allowing us to expand into our full historic home and create new, imaginative spaces for families across our community. We also received a transformational $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., which will fuel a signature exhibit on character development and revitalize key Museum areas to inspire the character skills of kindness, curiosity, bravery, creativity, and respect.
Access remained at the heart of our mission. Through All Kids Play, Museums for All, and our Every Child Program, 111,092 children and caregivers experienced the Museum at free or reduced rates—families who found joy, connection, and belonging within our walls.
This year also brought a landmark moment: welcoming our five millionth visitor! Five million moments of discovery and imagination, each one a reminder of the impact we create together.
As we look ahead to expansion, new exhibits, and deeper community partnerships, I could not be more confident in our path forward. Our momentum has never been stronger, and our commitment to Phoenix’s children has never been more focused.
Thank you for your belief in our mission. Together, we are building a brighter future for every child who walks through our doors.
With pride and gratitude,
Kate Wells Chief Executive Officer
FIVE MILLION VISITS.
ONE INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY.
On June 20, we celebrated a milestone moment, welcoming our five millionth visitor! That’s five million chances for children to imagine, build, climb, discover, giggle, and grow, often side by side with their families, caregivers, and friends.
As our 5 millionth visitor crossed our threshold, they were greeted by confetti, applause, and a basket of gifts including an annual membership to the Museum plus fun items from our gift shop. The excitement was capped off by a festive balloon drop in our atrium.
This achievement belongs to our community and especially to our donors, whose generosity has made the Museum a vibrant, joyful space where play has power and every child is valued.
Thank you for being part of our journey, past, present, and the exciting future ahead.
BUILDING CHARACTER THROUGH PLAY
In November 2024, the Museum received a landmark $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the largest in our history. This extraordinary gift will fuel a signature exhibit focused on character development and refresh beloved areas across the Museum.
This work will help children grow skills that strengthen them for life: kindness, curiosity, bravery, creativity, and respect.
We’re honored to be one of only 23 children’s museums nationwide selected for Lilly Endowment’s Fostering Character Through Children’s Museums initiative.
Over the next five years, this grant will support projects that align with our expansion ensuring character-building play remains at the heart of everything we do.
ALL KIDS PLAY: ACCESS WITHOUT LIMITS
In a pioneering statewide partnership, Arizona’s four children’s museums, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Children’s Museum Yuma County, idea Museum (Mesa), and Children’s Museum Tucson, joined forces in 2024 to launch All Kids Play, a discounted admission program for families enrolled in Arizona’s EBT program.
Inspired by the National Museums for All initiative, All Kids Play helps ensure that cost is never a barrier to discovery.
CASINO ROYALE: A NIGHT THAT GAVE BACK
On November 23, 2024, our annual gala, Casino Royale, delivered an unforgettable evening of sparkling décor, a thrilling live auction, dinner under the stars, and a high-energy silent disco that kept guests dancing late into the night.
The event welcomed 324 guests and raised $304,185 in support of our Every Child Program, helping thousands of children and their families access joy, connection, and learning at the Museum.
THE EVERY CHILD PROGRAM: OPEN DOORS, OPEN HEARTS
Our commitment is simple: ensure that all children - regardless of circumstance can experience the joy, wonder, and learning the Museum provides.
Through our Every Child Program, families access free and reduced admission via: our Museums for All and All Kids Play programs; discounts for veterans, tribal communities, first responders, teachers, and seniors; Title I field trips and community partner programs; foster family and other no-cost/low-cost memberships; Free First Friday Nights; Special Night of Play; and more.
This fiscal year, 111,092 visitors came through our Every Child Program, an investment in our community valued at $1,528,722.
MEET OUR IDEA FELLOWS
GROWING TOGETHER FOR A NEW GENERATION
Phoenix voters helped launch a bold new chapter for the Children’s Museum of Phoenix when they approved $5.37 million in GO Bond funds during the 2023 Bond Election. This milestone is more than an investment in a building, it’s an investment in Phoenix’s families.
With this support, the Museum will soon expand to fill all 80,000 square feet of the Historic Monroe School Building, plus an additional 10,000 square feet of new space designed for today’s young explorers. This year, in partnership with the City of Phoenix, RSP Architects, and Chasse Construction, we began the exciting process of reimagining our spaces where creativity, connection, and curiosity can flourish.
Phase one of construction begins in the Spring of 2026, opening the door to a remarkable new era of play and learning.
This year, our IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility) Fellows Program continued to grow in both reach and impact. We welcomed a new cohort of talented students, post-secondary candidates and standout high school seniors, whose lived experiences have been shaped by systemic barriers. Through this paid, semester-long fellowship, participants gain meaningful, supported work experience, mentorship, and invaluable connections across the community.
Their voices and perspectives enrich the Museum in powerful ways, helping us better reflect and serve the diverse families who walk through our doors. The result is a program that not only opens doors for emerging leaders, but also strengthens our commitment to inclusion at every level.
Our 2024-25 IDEA Fellows were:
Andrea Garcia – Exhibits
Leilani Villalvazo & Paige Schlobohm – Marketing Fellows
Nechama Bar-Chaim, Kayla Hooper & Anastasia Levkun – Educational Programs Fellows
Kyndle Shegog-Hudson & Audrey Springer – Exhibits Fellows
Paulina Soto – Innovation and Learning Fellow
Board of Directors
July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
REVENUE & EXPENSES
Revenue
Individual Donors
Foundations & Corps
Public Grants
Gifts in Kind
Retail & Café
(less cost of goods sold)
Admissions & Memberships
Other Earned Revenue
Fundraising Events (Net)
$ 588,937
$ 3,094,066
$ 62,325
$ 870,265
$ 573,511
$ 3,874,827
$ 642,710 $
Expenses
Programs & Exhibits
Every Child Program*
General & Administration
Fundraising
Total
Chair
Kristin Windtberg
Chair Elect
Scott Horn
$ 3,314,118
$ 1,528,722
$ 1,375,859
$ 378,935
$ 6,597,634
Net Surplus $ 4,033,882
*111,092 Every Child visitors - free or reduced
$ 8,473,260
Treasurer Ryan Hale
Secretary Donna Williams
Immediate Past Chair
Nick Reed
Janel Baca Rardin (Development Chair)
Brandon Blakely
Brian Campbell
Samantha L Funk (Governance Chair)
Gennaro Garcia
Dr. Giovanna Grijalva
Lloyd Hopkins
Angel Jannasch-Pennell, Ph.D.
Kory Leadon
Joey Manfre
Erica Maxwell
Allison Otu, MBA
Katherine Fairbanks Sam
Colin Seale (IDEA Chair)
Mo Sobki
Nicole Wheatcroft, CPA
Terry Woodbeck, MD
$100,000 & ABOVE
Flinn Foundation*
Gila River Indian Community*
Lilly Endowment Inc.*
The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation*
The Hearst Foundations
$20,000 TO $49,999
Anonymous
Ball Corporation
Casino Arizona & Talking Stick Resort
Desert Financial Credit Union
Phoenix Office of Arts & Culture
The Steele Foundation
The Burton Family Foundation
$10,000 TO $19,999
Arizona Commission on the Arts
Arizona Complete Health
ASML
BMO
Molly DeFilippis
Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation
Dee & Steve DeTommaso
Robert Donat
Edward Jones
Elizabeth Gordon
Johnson & Johnson Nevada Law Foundation
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back
Becky & Dan Lieberman
Margaret T. Morris Foundation
Dawna & Gerald Pitts
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
Sanderson Lincoln
Mary Landau & Mark Tennis
$5,000 TO $9,999
America First Credit Union
Applied Materials Foundation
Arizona Community Foundation
Baker Tilly
Basis Ed
Hannah Tilden & Matthew Braig
Brighton Jones
Brown & Brown Insurance
Lisa & Dan Brutto
Angela Cazel-Jahn
Clayco
Cox Charities
Ann Dey
Morgane & Conrad Diven
The Fairbanks Family
Fennemore Law
Ironwood Investment Counsel
Kroger Co.
Mariner Foundation
MidFirst Private Bank
NEFT
With big smiles and even bigger gratitude, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix thanks the corporations, foundations, and individuals who help us spark wonder and play—engaging the minds, muscles, and imaginations of children and the grown-ups who cheer them on.
Osborn Maledon
PricewaterhouseCooper LLP
Salt River Project
Season For Sharing
TFO Family Office Partners
The David B. Jones Foundation
U.S. Bank
Waymo
$1,000 TO $4,999
Anonymous Janel Baca
Brandon Blakely
Carly Blankenship
Christy & Daryl Burton
Amber & Brian Campbell
Choice Smiles Arizona
Alisa Coan Oakey
Brook Cosby
DeeDee & Bob Curtis
Cascade DePierre
Desert Diamond Casino
Sarah Desmond
Executive Council Charities
Meaghan & Brendan Franks
Samantha Funk
Briseida & Gennaro Garcia
Giovanna Grijalva
Sarah & Ryan Hale
Kashuna & Lloyd Hopkins
Sue & Scott Horn
Sally Hurwitz
Integrity Medical
John F. Long Foundation
Abby & Kory Leadon
Legacy Traditional School
Joseph Manfre
Erica Maxwell
Michael Mazzocco
Patti & Forrest Noelck
DeeDee & Ken O'Connor
Allison & Essen Otu
Angel Jannasch-Pennell & Mike Pennell
Liz Petersen
Pfocus
Lynda-Trinh Phan
Denise & Naveen Reddy
Rebecca Heft & Nick Reed
Wells Fargo
Kevin Rhein
RSP Architects
Katherine & Darryl Sam
Colin Seale
Soar Autism Center
Muhammad Sobki
Andrea & Andrew Stone
Tempe Diablos Charities
Kate & Jeff Wells
West Family Foundation
Nicole Wheatcroft
Donna & Marcus Williams
Kristin & Marc Windtberg
Terry Woodbeck
Madeline Zobel
UP TO $999
Michelle Alessio
Tom Ambrose
Ameriprise Financial
Isaac Araiza
Jac Arbour
Arizona Avengers
Rachel Arthur
Christopher Barkley
Karen Barr
Bonnie Berland
Cherie Black
Alexander Bobinger
John Bomhoff
Kelli Borges
Jennifer Bowie
Mary Bowan
Rosita Bradham
Jada Brown
Joan Burke
David Campbell
Travis Canfield
Tia Carley
City of Phoenix
Sharon Clay
Cesar Contreras
Susan Cook
Amber Delaney
Brandi & Brian Devlin
Jessica Doney
Frederick Edwards
Glenn Embrador
Charlotte Farr
Adrienne Farrell
Gail Fawcett
Betsy Ferman
Ashley Craft Fiore & Steven Fiore
Remi Fitzgerald
Adrian Fontes
Alissa Franconi
Jeffrey Garza Walker
Angela & Brian Gillespie
Loretta Green
Lindsay Grizzle
Matt Gugel
Georgie Hanlin
Patrick Heigl
Melissa Houtcooper
Cathy Hughes
Imagine Events DMC
Intel Corporation
Joseph Jahn
Meghan Jameson
Laura Jenkins
Sara Jenkins
Edith Jennings
Ronna Johanson
Susan Jones
Chelsey & Kevin Kerchansky
Sigrid Kuster
Stephanie Langlitz
Jonathan Lay
Lanly Le
Sharon & Alan Levins
Calvin Lieberman
Brayden Makism
Maribel Martinez
Ynna Mendoza
Sarah Miotti
Odera Mogor
Denisse Moreno
Joe Moreno
Ann Morton
Rebecca Napolitano
Erica & Tony Nuara
Abigail & Edward Olaya
Daisy Palacio
Vidula Patki
PayPal
Trisha Posser
Michael Raia
Mohan Ramalingam
Kim Reitz
Mark Robinson
Kevin Robinson
Rocket
Laura Rodriguez
Lisa & Charles Russell
Ida Crocker-Sabbagh & Marwan Sabbagh
Christian Scaglione
Kelley & Tyler Shaw
Chris Slaughter
Tara Smith
Jason Smith
Holly Stevens
Justin Talbot-Stern
Megan Trevino
Mackenzie Wolpe
Gail Zucker
FOUNDATIONS & CORPORATIONS
America First Credit Union
Arizona Commission on the Arts
Arizona Community Foundation
Arizona Complete Health
Arizona Public Service
ASML
Bakertilly
Ball Corporation
BASIS Ed
BMO
BMO Harris Bank
Brighton Jones
Brown & Brown Insurance
Casino Arizona & Talking Stick Resort
Choice Smiles Arizona
City of Phoenix
Clayco
Cox Charities
Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation
Desert Diamond Casino
Desert Financial Credit Union
Edward Jones
Executive Council Charities
Fennemore Law
Flinn Foundation*
Gila River Indian Community*
Honeywell International
Integrity Medical
Ironwood Investment Counsel, LLC
John F. Long Foundation
Kroger Co.
Legacy Traditional School
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back
Lilly Endowment Inc.*
Margaret T. Morris Foundation
MidFirst Bank
NEFT
Osborn Maledon
Phoenix Office of Arts & Culture
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
PricewaterhouseCooper LLP
Salt River Project
Sanderson Lincoln
Season For Sharing
Soar Autism Center
Tempe Diablos Charities
TFO Family Office Partners
The Burton Family Foundation
The David B. Jones Foundation
The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation*
The Hearst Foundations
The Steele Foundation
U.S. Bank
Waymo
Wells Fargo
Every Child Paddle Raise
Michelle Alessio
Isaac Araiza
Jac Arbour
Cherie Black
Kelli Borges
Jada Brown
Joan Burke
Amber & Brian Campbell
David Campbell
Travis Canfield
DeeDee & Bob Curtis
Molly DeFilippis
Amber Delaney
Cascade DePierre
Jessica Doney
Adrian Fontes
Alissa Franconi
Meaghan & Brendan Franks
Samantha Funk
Jeffrey Garza Walker
Patrick Heigl
Melissa Houtcooper
Cathy Hughes
Edith Jennings
Chelsey & Kevin Kerchansky
Stephanie Langlitz
Calvin Lieberman
Becky & Dan Lieberman
Maribel Martinez
Michael Mazzocco
Joe Moreno
Erica & Tony Nuara
Vidula Patki
Liz Petersen
Dawna & Gerald Pitts
Mohan Ramalingam
Denise & Naveen Reddy
Rebecca Heft & Nick Reed
Kim Reitz
Kevin Robinson
Lisa & Charles Russell
Roulette Riches Sponsors
Anonymous
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back
Sanderson Lincoln
Double Down Sponsors
America First Credit Union
Bakertilly
BMO
Brighton Jones
Brown & Brown Insurance
Clayco
Fennemore
Integrity Medical
Ironwood Investment Counsel, LLC
Mary Landau and Mark Tennis
Becky and Dan Lieberman
Michael Mazzocco
MidFirst Bank
Osborn Maledon
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
Kelley and Tyler Shaw + Guests
Sarah and Anthony Taylor
TFO Family Office Partners
U.S. Bank
Wells Fargo
Ida Crocker-Sabbagh & Marwan Sabbagh
Kelley & Tyler Shaw
Holly Stevens
Andrea & Andrew Stone
Sarah & Anthony Taylor
Mary Landau & Mark Tennis
Kate & Jeff Wells
Nicole Wheatcroft
Kristin & Marc Windtberg
Gail Zucker
Community Partners & In-Kind
Anonymous
A Flour Shop
Action Wine
Alaska Airlines
Allbirds
Ambrogio15 Phoenix
Angry Ape Off-road
Antelope Hills Golf Courses
Aridus Wine Company
Arizona Casino Nights
Arizona Mobile Medicine
Arizona Museum of Natural History
Arizona Opera
Arizona Science Center
Asher Birth & Body
AZ on the Rocks
Bianco Group
Bobby-Q
Bodybar Pilates Scottsdale Ranch
Born & Bred
Boutique Living LLC
Bryn Walker
Busy Bees Babysitting
Butterfly Wonderland
Canyon Ranch
Carefree Spirits Distillery
Casino Arizona & Talking Stick Resort
Chameleon Entertainment
Childsplay Theatre
CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa
Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant
Edible Ed
Desert Blush Photography
Desert Botanical Garden
Dos Chris' Bakery & Charcuterie Co.
Drybar
East Valley Institute of Technology
El Gato Azul
Elgin Nursery & Tree Farm
European Wax Center
EVO North Scottsdale
Fabulous Food Fine Catering and Events
Fasturtle
Fiesta Bowl Charities
Fizz Creations, Inc.
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Galicia Fine Jewelers
Gallo Blanco
GenuWine Arizona
GLAM of Scottsdale
Grand Canyon Brewing Company
Hape International Inc.
Hassayampa Inn
Heard Museum
Hensley Beverage Company
Herberger Theater Center
Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort
Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock
Honeypot Wax Spot
Hotel Valley Ho
i.d.e.a. Museum
Angel Jannasch-Pennell and Mike Pennell
JAX Beverage
Jigsaw Health
Robert Joffe
Susan Jones
K1 Speed
Kidstop Toys & Books
Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs
Lake Pleasant Cruises, Inc.
Mary Landau
Landis Cyclery
Laura Kelly Designs
Becky and Dan Lieberman
Los Milics Vineyards
Maker's Mate Inc.
Maple & Ash
Erica Maxwell
MDSkin Bar & Lounge
Mike Muraco & On-Air Sports
Marketing
Molina Fine Jewelers
OBJECTS
Odysea Aquarium
Olive + Ivy
One Handsome Bastard
Optime Transportation LLC
Pangaea Dinosaur Grill
Paperclip
Park City Chambers & Visitors Bureau
Karen Pfauth
Phoenix Art Museum
Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix Suns Charities
The Phoenix Symphony
Phoenix Zoo
Postino Winecafe
Prescott Golf Club
Pucci Salon
Tirsa Quartullo
Raven Golf Club
Red Jeep Tours
Reid Park Zoological Society
RN Love, PLLC
Royal Palms Luxury Resort and Spa
Rudy's BBQ
Sanctuary On Camelback Mountain
Scottsdale Classic Limousine
Colin Seale
Shady Rays
Siena Arte Portraiture
Silver Beads, LLC
Spinato's Pizzeria
Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley
Stellar Adventures
StoneRidge Golf Course
Sue Bickerdyke Interior's
Suncliffe
Taco Chelo
Tanque Verde Ranch
Sarah and Anthony Taylor
The Boardroom Styling Lounge
The Capital Grille
The Club at Prescott Lakes
The Global Ambassador
The Hermosa Inn
The Phoenix Theatre Company
The Plant Stand of Arizona
The Strawberry Inn
Thunderbirds Charities
Total Wine & More
TravisMathew
Trevor's Liquor
Trish McEvoy
Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation
Vapamore
Brett Vibber
White Hawk Gallery
Marion Wiener
Wigwam Hotel
Wild Horse Pass Casino - Gila River
Worldwide Golf Shops
Zinc Bistro
Ways to Give
Thank you for supporting the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. Each year, your generosity allows us to offer the very best programs, exhibits, and play experiences for children and their grown-ups.
To make a gift to the Museum, and be included in next year’s annual report, please choose one of the following options below:
Donate online: https://bit.ly/SupportCMoP
Send a check:
Please make checks payable to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix and send to:
Children’s Museum of Phoenix Attention: Development Officer 215 N. 7th Street | Phoenix, AZ 85034
Transfer Stock: CMoP accepts gifts of public traded securities. Please contact the Development Office at (602) 648-2743 for assistance and account information.
Matching Gifts: Contact your employer to see if they have a matching gift program.
PLANNED
GIVING: The Monroe Society, created to honor our legacy donors for their generous charitable provisions, wills, trusts or designations of future gifts of insurance or retirement assets. Please contact Chris Slaughter, Director of Development at cslaughter@childmusephx.org or (602) 648-2743.
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, EIN #86-0934323.
