2023 Cosmosphere Annual Report

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO

Moon on the Prairie

“The work the Cosmosphere teams do is no joke! From the SpaceWorks and museum divisions to camps, truly amazing! There’s no denying that the Cosmosphere is a top tier, world class operation.’’ — Cosmosphere Camps Alumnus

Inspiring innovation through science education and honoring the history of space exploration.

Cosmosphere Vision

To inspire across generations by telling the international story of humankind's exploration of space, celebrating the results of ingenuity, hard work and risk-taking while providing unparalleled educational opportunities that share the spirit of adventure and possibility.

Cosmosphere Core Values

Sustainability, Preservation, Education, Innovation, Excellence, Inclusivity.

IMPACT AND REACH

In addition to visitors from all over the United States, the Cosmosphere had visitors from 37 countries outside of the United States in 2023.

The Cosmosphere provided multiple opportunities for space enthusiasts and curious minds to join

WHERE OUR VISITORS CAME FROM

together in 2023. These included camps, field trips, and events such as author signings, Starry, Starry Night in Lindsborg, KS, Co ee at the Cosmo, solar viewing, Lunapalooza – our annual fundraising event, and more!

General Field Trips Camps

INSPIRING INNOVATION THROUGH SCIENCE EDUCATION

Cosmosphere Camps:

The Thrill of Space. The Fun of Camp.

Since 1985, Cosmosphere Camps have given campers from across the nation experiences unavailable anywhere else while developing skills they will use the rest of their lives.

Inspiration starts for elementary students with Young Explorer Day Camps. From understanding

the complexity of the solar system to living in space, students learn about teamwork, critical thinking and more.

For students entering the 7th grade and older, Ad Astra Overnight Camps o er more challenging themes and scenarios. Activities encourage problem solving and communication skills, preparing campers for their missions while reinforcing important traits for future jobs in the “real” world.

“Going to your camps as a child is the ONLY reason I am pursuing a career in space medicine. I cannot thank you all enough for the work you do for young girls! Know it makes a di erence.”

— Cosmosphere Camps alumna upon her college graduation in Biological & Chemical Sciences

Cosmosphere Specialty Camps o er opportunities for both adults and children to experience Cosmosphere Camps. The Adult Astronaut Adventure Camp provides all the excitement of a Cosmosphere summer camp but geared just for adults. The Road Scholar Grandparent STEM Camp brings grandchildren together with their

grandparents to enjoy the summer camp experience. The Teacher STEM Camp provides a unique hands-on learning experience for new and engaging activities for the K-12 classroom.

The Lyon’s Summer Enrichment Program brings together 3rd-5th graders to help students keep learning STEM through the summer.

“With the Cosmosphere’s legacy of applied science education and now even more emphasis on STEM, it is my hope that youth will become tomorrow’s inspired leaders.”

— Fred Haise, Apollo 13 Astronaut

In 2023, Cosmosphere Camps hosted 942 campers and awarded 94 scholarships.

“I love that the lessons are easy to navigate and sort. They use materials most of us have laying around somewhere at home. When I work with the Cosmosphere sta or see their excitement for education in my own classroom it reminds me of what I am striving for. I am professionally rejuvenated.” — LaunchLearning

Subscriber

The Cosmosphere hosted 17, 200 students in 2023.

IGNITING CURIOSITY IN STEM

The Cosmosphere’s education experience is like no other. Our STEM educators bring the wonders of space directly to students, teachers, and learners of all ages.

We provide outcome-focused learning opportunities for all ages and academic levels, from high-achievers to at-risk youth.

From field trips to virtual classrooms, our education programming is standards-aligned and career-focused. We incorporate hands-on learning with virtual and remote experiences so anyone can learn with us, regardless of their location.

LaunchLearning, the Cosmosphere’s K-12 educational platform, brings STEM subjects to life with expert live science demonstrations, engaging activities, and lessons taught through the lens of space exploration.

• 228 activities and lessons in LaunchLearning

• 14,365 participants utilized LaunchLearning

Hands-on STEM Learning

HONORING

THE HISTORY OF SPACE EXPLORATION

Showcasing the Collection

The Cosmosphere is one of the only places in the world where visitors can make a side-by-side comparison of the Soviet-era space program to that of the United States. Visitors can compare the di erences in the engineering and design of the spacecraft themselves as well as the cultural di erences that shaped the history of the era.

Our collection is truly unique and is why the Cosmosphere has been called “the greatest space museum on planet Earth.”

Since 2012 the Cosmosphere has been dedicated to upgrading and enhancing the visitor experience. We have invested over $10 million in improvements to ensure our collection remains one of the best in the world and that all visitors get the most out of their time at the Cosmosphere.

“We are truly grateful for our work with the Cosmosphere. The collective knowledge and expertise of their team is unparalleled. Without them, the Apollo Mission Control Center would not have been accurately and historically restored. Their passion for honoring the history of space exploration is seen in the detail of their work and their commitment to our partnership. Cosmosphere assists NASA in promoting how STEM is vital to our mission of Space Exploration and does so using our history as well as innovative and interactive displays. They make Space Exploration live for our next generation!”

— Sandra J. Tetley, Real Property Accountable O cer, NASA HQ, Johnson Space Center

SpaceWorks

The most highly regarded space artifact restoration, replication and design organization is part of the Cosmosphere. Organizations throughout the world turn to SpaceWorks for their aerospace restoration and replication needs. In 2023 SpaceWorks:

” — LaunchLearning Subscriber

• Partnered with Space Center Houston to design and fabricate new preservation display cases for Space Center Houston’s spacesuits

• Created a display case for the lectern used by President John F. Kennedy during his famous

“We choose to go to the Moon” speech at Rice University in 1962, on display at Space Center Houston

• Worked with the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum to preserve and maintain the world’s last remaining Lockheed Electra 10-E

• Partnered with Wichita State University to maintain display models at The Smart Factory by Deloitte @ Wichita

• Supplied artifacts and traveling exhibits on loan throughout the world in places including Barcelona, Spain; Bratislava, Slovakia; Boston, MA; and Canela, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

SpaceWorks partnered with Space Center Houston to create a case for the lectern used by President Kennedy during his famous "We choose to go to the Moon" speech at Rice University.

2023 FINANCIALS

The Cosmosphere is committed to long-term financial sustainability and providing value to our visitors, donors, partners, and community. Cosmosphere sta are encouraged to be creative and nimble in how they approach their work.

The organization is financially healthy and poised for future growth opportunities.

Financial support received in 2023 is enabling the Cosmosphere to provide innovative, immersive, and engaging experience including a new classroom and interactive exhibits in the Rocket Gallery.

Thanks to many generous supporters, several public spaces are being updated, the Justice Planetarium, Dr. Goddard’s Lab, and the Hall of Space Museum.

Total Revenue: $5,801,008

Education $987,264

Special Projects $575,346

Ticket Sales/Gift Shop: $1,638,321

Charitable Contributions: $378,917

Designated Contributions: $1,307,283

Federal, State and Local Support: $913,877

EXPENSES

Total Expenses: $5,545,643

Total Program/Service Expenses: $3,268,112

Total Management & General Expenses: $2,024,236

Total Fundraising Expenses: $253,295

The Cosmosphere Foundation has $4,144,408 in assets:

$1,331,917 (permanently endowed)

$1,651,376 (temporarily restricted)

$1,172,114 (unrestricted in the foundation)

Total value of Cosmosphere assets, excluding artifact collection: $12,708,716.

2023 DONORS

The Cosmosphere is fortunate to receive the support of many donors who make our work possible. (Contributions received January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.)

$3 Million

NASA

$1 Million

The Sunderland Foundation

$500,000 - $999,999

State of Kansas

$100,000 - $499,999

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation

$25,000 - $99,999

Evergy

Mary Spooner

$10,000 - $24,999

APEX

Beach-Edwards Family Foundation

Gordon & Ann Brown

Dillons Food Stores

Disability Supports of the Great Plains

KU School of Engineering

OMEGA Ltd.

RCB Bank

$5,000 - $9,999

Cargill Salt Division - Hutchinson

Davis Foundation

Carolyn Dillon

Suzanne Hamilton

Herman, Esther and Henry Stallman Foundation

Hutton Construction

MAAM Foundation

Charley & Linda McCue

Pipeline Testing Consortium

Radio Kansas

Peg Stephens

Stolzer Family Foundation

Helen Unruh

Mike & Patti Wamsley

Woodwork Manufacturing & Supply

$1,000 - $4,999

Airbus Americas, Inc.

American Packaging Corporation

Mary F. and Albert Baker Memorial Trust

Berry Companies, Inc.

Cernik and Polek Family Foundation

Citizens Bank of Kansas

Dave & Camille Claxton

JP & Emily Claxton

Commerce Bank

Conklin Cars

Dorian De Maio

Michael & Laura Dick

Egbert Liquor Store

Elliott Mortuary, Inc.

Richard & Jane Falter

Robert & Annie Fee

Fee Insurance Group

First National Bank of Hutchinson

Paul and Becca Hardenburger

John & Ione Hardy

Heartland Credit Union

Shirley Hinkel Pauls

Hubco, Inc.

Hutchinson Clinic PA

David & Patty Kerr

Luminous Neon

George R. R. Martin & Parris

McBride-Martin

Martindell Swearer Sha er Ridenour LLP

Keith Mason

Meyer Charitable Trust

Mosby Lincoln Foundation

David & Karin Neal

Ronald & Anita Pfister

R. Westphal Jewelers

Frank & Sheryl Remar

Susan Richardson

Je rey & Linda Schlader

Spirit AeroSystems

Timothy & Janet Sprecker

Stan and Betty Lewis Foundation

Takako America

Textron

Caleb Torello

Underground Vaults & Storage

Helen Weeks Rogers

$25 - $999

Ruben & Karen Alvero

American Online Giving Foundation

Paul & Natalie Anderson

Angels of America's Fallen

Apple Lane Animal Hospital

Roy & Ann Baker

Bob Barker

Bob & Donna Becker

Monti Belot

Richard & Beverly Benjes

Carla Bickel

Todd & Julie Bickel

The Blackbaud Giving Fund

Larry & Marilyn Bolton

Martin & Karen Bordson

Jerry & Laverne Bostick

Rick & Karen Boswell

Bruce & Lynette Buchanan

Andrea Buchbinder

Vincent Capone

Brooks & Nan Carey

Adrian & Patricia Cole

Maggie Collins

Bob & Mary Ann Cox

Custom Security Solutions

CyberGrants LLC – Charities Aid

Foundation America

Data Center, Inc.

Kenneth & Jane Davidson

Chad & Kail Denison

Sally Depenbusch

Paul Dillon

Thomas & Melodie Dower

William Drews

Jennifer Dyck

Eric & April Eden

Tom & Paula Eigsti

Gene Elliott

Exploration Place

Facebook

Gregory Fast

Martha Fee

Cara & Shannon Ferrell

Craig Fischer

Diane Fischer

Dennis & Luann Frank

Roger Franke

Leslie & Karen Freeman

William & Susan Frensley

Alan Frohbieter

Krystina Furst

Paul & Mareen Gill

James & Karen Gilliland

George & Elaine Glines

Terry & Sheila Goscha

Gregg Greenwood

Sylvia Griggs

Phyllis Grow

Richard Hamilton

Connie Harris

Debra Holmes

Keith & Debra Houghton

David Howell

Steven & Janet Hummell

IdeaTek

Carissa Jackson

Jewish Community Center of Greater KC

JR & MJ Wilson Foundation

Barbara Keefer

John & Maria Kelson

Wes & Sara Kimmel

Paul Kinzer

Joel Kivett

Richard & Mary Kluba

Nick & Cathia Krehbiel

Thomas & Eileen Kubica

Judy Langley

Leech Products, Inc.

Vi Leinbach

Robert Lind

Dale Lutes

Donald & Natalie March

Chris & Michelle Masoner

Jackie Mayhew

Mike & Terri McQueen

Scott & Sheila Meggers

Mennonite Press

Evan & Melissa Moodie

Sherry Mundhenke

Carlin & Stephanie Murphy

National WWI Museum and Memorial

Chris & Rachel Nelson

John & Sally O'Connor

Jaryl Ollenburger

Daniel & Brenda Pace

Brandon & Lori Parks

Robert & Kristine Peel

Leah Place

Cat Poland

Michael Pritchett

Virginia Rayl

Roger Rea

William Reukauf

Judy Rinker

Kerry & Renee Robinson

Richard & Candace Robl

Willie & Meghan Rolo

Kenton & Jennifer Ross

James & Susan Saunders

Je Schraeder

Dell Swearer

Carl & Jean Sidebottom

Kristin & Martha Silvani

Chad & Jennifer Simmelink

Pete & Beth Skeggs

Steve & Kathy Smith

Thomas & Lois Smith

Homer & Esther Smith

Jerome & Ruth Ann Spitzer

Leo Stockham

Bill & Lora Stovall

Gail & Leland Sudlow

John Swearer

Swope Health Services

Eric Tilenius

Aaron & Kimberly Tobias

TopGolf Wichita

Scott & Shirleen Tucker

Visit Hutch

Je & Teresa Wagner

Peggy Warnock

Doug & Vicki Westerhaus

Glenn & Monica Whiteside

Whitewater Memorial Library

Marolyn Wilson

Martin & Lisa Wisneski

Mark & Leann Woleslagel

“The Cosmosphere’s commitment to science education is growing young minds across the region and beyond. The Sunderland Foundation is impressed with their success and we are proud to support their work. Financial support from the Sunderland Foundation has equipped the Cosmosphere with tools and spaces that allow kids to learn, while giving educators the resources needed to explain the science behind the fun. We are thrilled to be a part of the continued achievements of the Cosmosphere.” — Randy Vance, President & Chief Operating O cer, The Sunderland Foundation

PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS

The Cosmosphere is grateful for the following organizations who we partner with throughout the year to bring our mission to life.

Johnson Space

“A commitment to STEM education is hugely important to the success of our country. The Cosmosphere is doing just that. Their dedication to STEM education is like no one else. They are putting students on paths to brighter futures and ensuring success of the aerospace industry.”

— Jerry Moran, U.S. Senator

Governing Board of Directors

Councilmember, City of Hutchinson

Executive Vice President, Fee Insurance Group

President, Hutchinson Community College

Co-President, Conklin Cars

Director of Membership and Communications, Prairie Dunes Country Club

Partner, Foulston Siefkin LLP

Assistant Superintendent of Finance, USD 308

Executive Vice President and Manager, First National Bank of Hutchinson

President and CEO, Cosmosphere

Director Ad Adstra Academies, USD 313

President and CEO, Heartland Credit Union

Retired Teacher

President and CEO, Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce

President and Owner, Woodwork Manufacturing & Supply, Inc.

“From my initial visit years ago, to my time on the Board today, I continue to be impressed by the impact of the Cosmosphere. The unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds and fostering the next generation of brilliant thinkers resonates deeply with me. The Cosmosphere stands as the premier space museum, eloquently narrating the saga of the space race. We are truly fortunate to be able to share this Reno County gem with the rest of the world ”

— Dan Springer, Cosmosphere Governing Board Treasurer

Foundation Board of Directors

Jordan Fee Executive Vice President, Fee Insurance Group

Tony Finlay Executive Director, Hutchinson Recreation Commission

Charlie Garcia Special Programs Chief Engineer, Agile Space Industries

Kent Longenecker Independent Investor, JML Ventures

Molly Martens SR Systems Integration Engineer, Sierra Space

David Neal Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, CAPTRUST

Mike Pritchett Executive Vice President and Manager, First National Bank of Hutchinson

Rick Staab President and CEO, Disability Supports of the Great Plains Inc.

Jim Remar President and CEO, Cosmosphere

Vicki Westerhaus Partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP

“No space exploration organization honors the past and innovates for the future better than the Cosmosphere. I am honored to support the Cosmosphere and see up close how important this work is. From right in the heart of America, we are highlighting the worldwide contributions of so many and inspiring the next generation. It’s a thrill to be a part of!”

— Jordan Fee, Cosmosphere Foundation Board Chair

CosmoKids STEM Area

Outreach Education

New Cold War Exhibit

Artist rendering of new hands-on interactive space is expected to be completed by winter 2024.

LOOKING AHEAD

Much as our founder, Patty Carey had her eyes on the sky when she first envisioned the Cosmosphere, we have our eyes on the future. We look forward to an exciting next phase for the Cosmosphere in which we bring the wonder and joy of space exploration to even more people. We are eager to build on the legacy that was left before us and are committed to inspiring the next generation to reach for the stars…and beyond.

Luna Sphere Artifact

Thank you to our generous donors, supporters, volunteers and visitors who make our work possible.

To inspire across generations by telling the international story of humankind’s exploration of space, celebrating the results of ingenuity, hard work, and risk-taking while providing unparalleled educational opportunities that share the spirit of adventure and possibility.