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GIVING
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2018 GG
SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL
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Mission Statement
Discovery Center of Springfield (DCS) is an interactive,
hands-on science museum committed to inspiring
people of all ages with a lifelong love of learning and an
appreciation of the world and our place in it.
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Service Area
The Discovery Center is the only science center and
children’s museum in southwest Missouri and serves
36 Missouri counties, 22 additional states, and Canada
through general admission, educational outreach
programs, and video conferencing lessons.
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Funding
The Discovery Center is a community-funded museum
that relies on public and private donations as well as grants
from individuals, businesses, and foundations. Revenue
from outreach lessons, in-house education programs,
admission sales, and annual memberships also fund the
operations.
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12 Month Goals
While celebrating its 20th anniversary, Discovery
Center’s strategic plan is to focus simply on three goals: to
deliver a passion for STEM education to the underserved
community through strategic partnerships; to continue to
balance the budget with a focus on topline growth and
bottom-line decline as appropriate; and to share Discovery
Center’s story with the community while making it a
story worth sharing. Project goals include a remodel of
Discovery Town, opening a technology lab, and creating a
sustainable revenue stream by making the fourth floor an
event rental space.
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Annual Events
• Night at the Museum – Sept. 29, 2018
• Festival of Trees – Dec. 1, 2018
• Seuss Science Day – Feb. 16, 2019
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How People & Businesses Can Help
IDEAS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES: support a low
income student’s STEM education; make a gift; purchase
an annual membership; become an active volunteer and
help run exhibits, volunteer at one of our special events;
include us in your estate plan.
IDEAS FOR TEAMS, GROUPS, OFFICES, AND CLASSES:
host a drive or crowdfunding campaign for scholarships for
low-income students; schedule a volunteer day with your
group at the Discovery Center; choose us for your United
Way Day of Caring location in June; book a company
holiday party or corporate event.
IDEAS FOR BUSINESSES: sponsor and attend a special
event; fund a classroom field trip; sponsor an exhibit; book
a company holiday party or corporate event.
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Testimonials
“With the knowledge he learned from a special Summer
of Science project, he was able to achieve top 3 science
projects in his class this year and displayed his project at
the school science fair as a top 4th grade project!”
— Mother of Summer of Science scholarship recipient
“Currently women and women of color are
underrepresented in STEM. My hope is that through the
experiences that this program provides, she will continue
to explore and remain engaged in the field of science.”
— Mother of a Summer of Science scholarship recipient
ADDRESS:
438 E St. Louis St.
Springfield, MO 65806
PHONE:
417-862-9910
WEBSITE:
discoverycenter.org/discoverycenterspringfield
/@DiscoveryCenter
TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES (FTE):
9
ANNUAL REVENUES
(MOST RECENT FISCAL YEAR):
$911,225
TOP EXECUTIVE:
Rob Blevins,
Executive Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRPERSON:
Chris Swan,
President
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Tara Benson
Beth Davis Bowles
Karen Brown
Patrick Carpenter
Jennifer Colwell
Justin Evans
Liz Godwin
Scott Gold
David Hinson
Saunny Lynch
Tracy McGrady
Casey Pyle
Julie Reynolds
Paul Satterwhite
Shanda Trautman
Adam Toth
Mike West
Mark Wood