Individual Giving

Your financial support helps the museum grow from its roots. Each contribution guides the Des Plaines Children Museum’s early development and moves us forward to becoming a family-friendly institution that will one day stand tall in the Des Plaines community. We are currently raising capital funds to power the initial stages of our museum. Funding will be used to:

• Acquire a Building: Secure a permanent home in downtown Des Plaines, designed to house our exhibits and community hub.
• Develop Themed Exhibits: Create engaging, interactive exhibits centered on the people and place of Des Plaines through themes including nature, science, history, civics, and sustainability to inspire children’s imaginations and encourage critical thinking.
• Expand Educational Programs: Offer a variety of hands-on programs, workshops, and events that extends beyond the museum’s walls.
• Build Community Partnerships: Collaborate with local schools, environmental groups, and cultural organizations to serve as a gathering place for and serve the interests of the Des Plaines and surrounding communities. 

As a seed funder, you will be a key partner in bringing this vision to life. Your investment will ensure that future generations of children in Des Plaines have a place to explore, play, and learn. In addition to making a lasting impact, seed funders will receive:

• Permanent Recognition: Your name will be honored on our website and marketing materials, and depending on donation level, also “Seeds to Roots” Founders Wall showcasing your commitment to the museum’s success.
• Exclusive Previews: Enjoy VIP access to exhibit openings, behind-the-scenes tours, and special events.
• Community Leadership: Be recognized as a leader in supporting education, cultural enrichment, and downtown revitalization in Des Plaines.
• Tax Benefits: Donations to the Des Plaines Children’s Museum are tax-deductible, providing financial benefits alongside community impact.

All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For more information on the Des Plaines Children’s Museum Donor Bill of Rights, click here.

Make a Gift

As a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit institution, the Des Plaines Children’s Museum relies on generous donors like you to nurture the museum’s growth. To bring our vision and mission to life, we need your help! We are currently raising seed money to fund the initial stages of our museum, including interactive, hands-on exhibits, educational programs, and – most significantly – acquiring a building in the ideal location of downtown Des Plaines. For information regarding the Des Plaines Children’s Museum’s donor policy, click here.

This donation form allows you to make an immediate and meaningful gift; however, other long-term giving options are available on our Donor Community page.

Monthly Giving

Monthly giving is a convenient way to make a difference in the lives of children and families! By financially partnering with Des Plaines Children’s Museum monthly, you create a steady revenue stream we can rely on to support our annual fund to make a lasting impact over time. 

Join our Donor Community

By becoming part of our Donor Community, you join other like-minded individuals committed to leading the Des Plaines Children’s Museum towards a bright and fun-filled future. Individuals within the Des Plaines Children’s Museum’s Donor Community can choose to give a yearly amount and receive accompanying benefits according to their donor level.

Gifts of Stock

Give vital support. 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.

Honor or In Memory Gift

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

Legacy Giving

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

By making a legacy 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. Please contact giving@dpchildrensmuseum.org for more information.

Employer Matched Gifts

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

Donor-Advised Funds

Grow access initiatives. Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are charitable investment accounts for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations like Des Plaines 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.If you already have a donor-advised fund that participates in DAF Direct, you can recommend grants to support the Des Plaines Children’s Museum by contacting giving@dpchildrensmuseum.org.

In-Kind Giving

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

In-Kind giving helps the museum access goods and services that would otherwise be too expensive and/or free up resources to be spent elsewhere. It can also help our fundraising efforts during events when utilized as: raffle and silent auction prizes, swag bags, and more. Fun fact: did you know that the fair market value of an in-kind gift is tax deductible?