Donate and Support Hands-on Learning
Your Support Makes a Difference
Established in 2001, San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum (SDCDM) is the only children’s museum in North San Diego County dedicated to hands-on learning about science, arts, and world cultures. Help us to fulfill our mission as we continue to grow in our new 12,000 square foot indoor/outdoor location in the cultural and civic center of Escondido. Here are some ways you can contribute:
Annual Fund
Donations to the SDCDM Annual Fund are absolutely essential. Annual Fund gifts keep the lights on, doors open, and assist with a wide range of ongoing activities, such as the development of new exhibits and programs for children, families, and school groups.
Gifts in Honor or in Memory
Make a tribute gift in memory of someone special or celebrate a special occasion. Your contribution will be acknowledged with a gift card informing the family or friend you designate.
Corporate Giving
Corporate gifts support the SDCDM’s exhibits, programs, outreach, and operations, but corporate and business partners can also direct gifts to sponsor exciting new exhibits, programs, and events that “inspire children to learn about our world through exploration, imagination, and experimentation.
Planned Giving
Help ensure that the SDCDM remains a source of lifelong learning and discovery for generations to come! Planned gifts include bequests through your will or trust, gifts of real estate, life insurance or other assets.
How to Make a Donation
You can make a tax-deductible donation to the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum through any of the following methods:
1. Click the button below to donate online.
2. Call 760.233.7755
3. Mail a check to San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, 320 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025
4. Make a donation on your next visit to SDCDM and any member of our staff will be happy to assist you.
“Path to Discovery” Capital Campaign
You are invited to join us on our “Path to Discovery” campaign journey to create a new hands-on educational resource for children and families!
We’ve found a new home!
In December 2011, San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum (SDCDM) successfully opened its new expanded location (320 N. Broadway in Escondido across the street from Grape Day Park) to meet the increasing need for alternative learning experiences for children, families, and school groups. Approximately three times larger and more visible than the previous facility, SDCDM now has the capacity to serve tens of thousands more people per year. With an increase in size, educational programming, scope of exhibits, and exposure of the new location, SDCDM has been able to grow the number of visitors by around 40% since opening last December.
What is the goal of the “Path to Discovery” capital campaign?
The “Path to Discovery” capital campaign’s goal is to raise $3.2 million over five years, which includes the acquisition and purchase of the new property and building, initial construction, new expanded exhibits and programs, and operating capital. To date, $1.31 million has been secured toward the purchase of the property and the opening of the Museum to the public in December 2011 with new exhibits and programs. As funds are raised, we are able to add more hands-on exhibits, expand programs, and offer more resources to children, families, and school groups.
Why the need for a new facility?
The new space meets the growing need for alternative-learning experiences for children, families and school groups. While the Museum has been happy to grow into fully utilizing the previous 4,500 square foot location over the past several years, SDCDM has long since outgrown the 63 person capacity space, which allowed for only two school classes to visit SDCDM at any given time. Since opening in December 2011, SDCDM has welcomed entire grade levels from San Diego and Riverside County schools. The new expanded location allows for increased earned income from sources such as admissions, membership, group visits, seasonal Discovery Camps, retail activities, special programming and events.
What is the new facility like?
With over 12,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor educational exhibit and programming space and much more visibility than the current location, the new 6,000 square foot building and 6,000 square foot outdoor Children’s Discovery Garden has the capability to serve tens of thousands of people every year. SDCDM is now able to further its mission to broaden children’s understanding of science, the arts, and world cultures by increasing the number and scope of exhibits and programs. The new expanded space allows for new programming, such as seasonal Discovery Camps and community events with an indoor and outdoor performance stage.
Where is funding for the New Museum coming from?
The “Path to Discovery” capital campaign requires broad community support from individuals, businesses, government and foundations. To date, SDCDM has received significant commitments for support from the Linden Root Dickinson Foundation and the SDCDM board of directors (100% of the board contribute each year to the campaign), as well as additional individual, corporate, and foundation support as we continue toward raising the remaining $1.89 million.
Why should I contribute?
To help enrich the lives and stimulate the minds of children through the development of educational programs and interactive learning and to preserve that experience for future generations.
How much do I need to contribute?
Every donation is valued! The community is invited to support this valuable education resource through donations, sponsorships, memberships, and more. All capital campaign donors will be recognized in campaign updates, newsletters, annual reports, and other publications. Donors of $1,000 or more will be permanently recognized in the new Museum. Commemorative naming opportunities are available. Donors also may remain anonymous.
Path to Discovery Capital Campaign Gift Levels
- Visionary $50,000 and up
- Leader $25,000 to $49,999
- Innovator $10,000 to $24,999
- Explorer $5,000 to $9,999
- Dreamer $2,500 to $4,999
- Investor $1,000 to $2,499
- Patron $500 to $999
- Partner $100 to $499
- Friend $1 to $99
- Legacy Society: Estate/planned gifts
SDCDM appreciates each and every gift. Commemorative opportunities are available.
How do I make a gift?
Donations can be made online by clicking on the “Donate” button above. To learn more about our commemorative naming opportunities, please contact Rebecca Greene (760) 233-7755 ext. 1003.
How can I learn more about the project?
Please continue to visit our website or come visit SDCDM at its new location (320 N. Broadway in Escondido).
How can I find out more?
Please contact Rebecca Greene (760) 233-7755 ext. 1003. Watch our video!