Individual Giving

Chicago Children’s Museum welcomes over 400,000 people each year, offering play-based experiences that give children and families the chance to explore, create, and grow. Of those families, more than 48,000 experiencing food insecurity attend the museum at little to no cost. Beyond our walls, we serve 5,000+ other children and families through programs in communities across Chicagoland where play and learning are often needed most.

As an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution, Chicago Children’s Museum relies upon the crucial support of individual donors to sustain our high-quality exhibitions and children’s programming. We offer a variety of ways for individuals to support the museum and its mission to improve children’s lives by creating a community where play and learning connect. With only 50% of annual expenses covered by museum admissions, support from our donors is vital.

Explore Ways to Give and contact our Development Team at Giving@ChicagoChildrensMuseum.org with any questions.

Ways to Give

MAKE A GIFT

Play today. Shape tomorrow.

As an independent, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit institution, Chicago Children’s Museum relies on generous donors like you to power our mission. Your donations provide shovels for the youngest paleontologists in Dinosaur Exhibition, tools for unleashing creativity in Art Studio, and bring countless children and families playful learning experiences.

MONTHLY GIVING

Grow your gift with monthly giving. Monthly giving is a simple, convenient, and affordable way to make a difference in the lives of children and families! By financially partnering with Chicago Children’s Museum monthly, you create a steady revenue stream we can rely on.

    • Your ongoing, monthly support to our annual fund provides consistent funding to meet museum needs.

    • Affordable monthly donations make a BIG impact over time.

    • Go green! Automatic transactions save time, paper and postage.

JOIN OUR DONOR COMMUNITY

Now more than ever, your support of our important work means so much. Individuals can make an immediate and meaningful impact with a gift to Chicago Children’s Museum. By becoming part of our Donor Community, you join other like-minded individuals committed to supporting playful learning today to shape tomorrow.

GIFTS OF STOCK

We accept stocks and mutual funds as charitable donations. Many donors choose to support the museum through a yearly stock gift. A charitable gift of stock held for more than 12 months offers a two-fold tax savings.

    • Avoid paying capital gains tax on the increase in value of your stock

    • Receive a tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock on the date of the gift

HONOR or IN MEMORY GIFT

Honor the memory of a loved one or celebrate a special occasion by making a donation in their name. Your generous donation will help us continue our mission and create lasting impact.

PLANNED GIVING

Plan today to make a future impact. When you include Chicago Children’s Museum as part of your legacy, your generosity ensures that CCM can continue providing playful learning opportunities for all children. In addition to supporting our museum on Navy Pier, your gift will allow us to expand our reach into communities that need us most.

By making a planned gift, you will be supporting the imaginations, creativity, and health of future generations of children and the important adults in their lives in innumerable ways – and you can gain financial and tax benefits for you and your family.

EMPLOYER MATCHING GIFT

Did you know that many employers match charitable contributions made by their employees? Maximize the impact of your donation with your company’s matching gift program and make an even greater impact on the lives of children and their families.

    • Amplifies Your Donation: Employer matching increases the amount of your gift and magnifies its impact.

    • Strengthens Community Ties: Your support, paired with your employer’s, demonstrates a shared commitment to enriching lives through education and community.

    • Creates Lasting Memories: Your contribution helps us create joyful, memorable experiences for children that will last a lifetime.

Check with your employer today to see if they have a matching gift program.

DONOR ADVISED FUNDS (DAFs)

Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are charitable investment accounts for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations like Chicago Children’s Museum. DAFs are the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle in the United States as one of the easiest and most tax-advantageous ways to give.

    • Allow donors to make charitable contributions to their DAF

    • Receive immediate tax deductions

    • A convenient way to donate

    • Allows donors to recommend grants from the fund over time

If you already have a donor-advised fund that participates in DAF Direct, you can recommend grants to support Chicago Children’s Museum below.

IN-KIND GIVING

In-kind donations are non-financial gifts such as goods, services, time or expertise. Chicago Children’s Museum welcomes in-kind donations to support playful learning!

    • The fair market value of an in-kind gift is tax deductible.

    • Help the museum access goods and services that would otherwise be too expensive and/or free up resources to be spent elsewhere.

    • Help our fundraising efforts during events when utilized as: raffle and silent auction prizes, swag bags, fundraising incentives, travel packages, and more.

Reach out to Molly Todd Madison, Manager of Special Events, at MollyTM@ChicagoChildrensMuseum.org, for In-Kind donations.