Annual Report - EdVenture Children's Museum

Annual Report
to Our Friends
and Supporters
2010-2011

Dear Friends,
At EdVenture Children’s Museum, we strive to stay ahead of the curve….innovation drives
us…and keeps us nimble in this economy. As any non-profit, the ability to balance the most
pressing needs of the community with our own resources, both educational and financial, is
paramount to creating the greatest impact.
We are pleased to share with you – our friends and supporters – the impact we have made on
children, youth, families, educators and businesses here in the Midlands and across South Carolina.
While we have achieved many accolades for our work this past year, what is most important
is that these achievements were made in partnership with many people and organizations
committed to the educational achievement of all children in our state.
A very exciting development of the past year, was that EdVenture was selected as one of three
institutions by the Institute for Museum and Library Services to host a 21st century skills workshop
in Columbia – bringing educational leaders together to help define the critical needs that will
steer our young citizens for success in the 21st century workforce. Columbia was one of only six
cities nationally, to direct this national and local conversation.
The knowledge we gained helped drive EdVenture’s own strategic planning process which defined
early literacy and science literacy as our core themes, with creativity and innovation driving our
processes by which we teach these 21st century skills.
The force behind our work, as always, is our mission to inspire children, youth, and the adults who
care for them, to experience the joy of learning. We thank you for being part of this journey with
us and investing in EdVenture and our children.
Chris Kopecky
Chair, Board of Trustees
Catherine Wilson Horne
President/CEO

Secure Our Future
Balancing the educational and financial resources to build a strong
foundation for mission-rich programs and activities
• Fundraising for EdVenture’s Next Generation Exhibit Plan began, with lead grants and gifts from the
National Institutes of Health – Science Education Partnership Award, Richland County, The City of Columbia,
The Animal Mission, Colonial Life and The Fullerton Foundation.
• The City of Columbia finished construction of a 10,000 square foot addition to EdVenture that includes
a brand new terrace and indoor space for educational programming and facility rentals.
• In 2010-11, EdVenture’s Board of Trustees developed for the first time ever a Capitalization and Building
Reserves Plan to plan ahead for major capital replacements, exclusive of exhibit investments. With this plan
in place, EdVenture was awarded a grant from the Kresge Foundation to create a Capital Replacement
and Renewal Fund that will allow us to make improvements to our facility without compromising
our operating budget. EdVenture was one of only four organizations nationally to receive
this prestigious grant – recognizing our excellence in long-term strategic thinking and
fiscal responsibility.
• EdVenture competed for and was awarded $ 1.7 million in federal and state grants to continue programs
like our acclaimed Hands-On, Minds-On Summer Teacher Institute and create new world-class exhibits
such as Body Detectives.
• EdVenture’s household memberships increased to more than 1,800 families, providing a steady stream
of revenue to offset operational expenses.
• EdVenture completed a staff realignment to improve efficiency in our internal and external operations.
Creating
the Next
Generation
of Lifelong
Learners

EdVenture
opens 2
new permanent
exhibits:
Wags &
Whiskers
and Body
Detectives
Named one of
thetop ten
children’s
museums
to visit by
Women’s Day
Make Your
Move,
created by EdVenture’s
exhibit and
creative
teams,
opens to
the public
Keep it Fresh
Creating new and expanded programs to attract a diverse audience
to make and keep the EdVenture experience remarkable
Exhibits
• Traveling Exhibits play an important role in Keeping it Fresh for EdVenture’s visitors and expanding
our educational content with nationally-recognized exhibits such as Blue Man Group: Making Waves,
Once Upon a Time…Exploring the World of Fairy Tales, Attack of the Bloodsuckers, and Run! Jump!
Fly! Adventures in Action .
• Seasonal favorites returned with the 5th year of Snowville and the second year of Blooming Butterflies.
• Planning and design is underway for major renovations and expansions to some of EdVenture’s best-loved
exhibits as part of The Next Generation Exhibit Master Plan.
Programming
• The Big ED Health Initiative, with support from Colonial Life, the South Carolina Dental Association and
Palmetto Health Office of Community Services, brought new family health programs to the public on a
monthly basis.
• EdCeptional Kids Initiative transformed into a year-round program with the support of the South Carolina
Department of Education – Office of Exceptional Support. Families and educators enjoyed free admission
to the museum at three open houses, access to educational and community resources and a conference
to help increase the educational success for children with disabilities.
• EdVenture in partnership with the Consortium for Enterprise Systems Management launched the first
South Carolina Science and Engineering Festival – bringing together young minds and IT professionals
in a weekend of hands-on activities.
• With major support from the Wachovia/Wells Fargo Foundation, EdVenture was able to plan the launch
of a Distance Learning Initiative - ensuring that schools across South Carolina can have access to EdVenture’s
unique brand of educational programming without the concern of transportation costs.
• EdVenture hosted two new outdoor educational events – Big Wheels and Farmville – that brought
new audiences and fresh experiences for visitors.
• EdVenture celebrated New Year’s Eve at Noon with Columbia’s only ball-drop!

Impact our Community
Strengthening our resources and partnerships to affect change in
the lives of South Carolina’s children
Afterschool – ensuring that all children have a safe environment that is rich in educational
opportunities in the hours between 3 and 6pm
• EdVenture expanded its Club EdVenture afterschool program to six schools in the Richland County
School District One, serving nearly 200 children daily.
• Students at Hyatt Park Elementary in the Eau Claire neighborhood, receive daily science instruction
from EdVenture’s educators as part of a 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant.
• EdVenture’s Future Leaders program continued in three middle schools in Richland and Lexington
Counties. This programming helps students develop their leadership potential, while exploring career
opportunities in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields.
• The Museum Apprentice Program – EdVenture’s youth volunteer program – got a robust makeover
and is inspiring students to pursue careers in the museum field while developing valuable workplace
skills and gaining volunteer hours.
Access and Outreach Programs – providing all children and families with opportunities
to experience EdVenture
• Family Nights, the cornerstone of EdVenture’s Access Programs, served nearly 10,000 people.
With support from K12 - South Carolina’s Virtual Charter School and the Palmetto Health Office
of Community Services, EdVenture was able to provide critical educational and health resources to
the community and keep its doors open for families who might otherwise not have an opportunity
to experience EdVenture.
• Every family with a child in Club EdVenture received a free annual membership to the museum.
• More than 1,300 students in the Richland County School District One received a free field trip experience
to EdVenture.
• EdVenture’s Firefighters provided Fire and Life Safety Programs and Outreach Programs to more
than 17,000 students.
Professional Development – inspiring South Carolina teachers to ignite passion in their classrooms
• With major support from the South Carolina Department of Education – Standards and Support
Division, Math and Science Partnership Grant, EdVenture was able to modify its Summer Teacher
Institute to a graduate-level course for 150 teachers last year.
• Early Childhood providers received 18 hours of professional development and free classroom
supplies through a partnership between EdVenture and the United Way of the Midlands.
60% of our visitors are from Richland and
Lexington Counties, 20% are statewide,
with an additional 20% of visitors from out-of-state

Board of Trustees
Chris Kopecky, Chairman
Holt Chetwood, Vice Chairman,
External Affairs
Tally Parham, Vice Chairman, Governance
David Schweiger, Vice Chairman,
Internal Affairs
Sharon Reynolds Earle, Secretary
DeAndrea Gist Benjamin
Bob Bouyea
Cathy Bradshaw
Senior Staff
Catherine Wilson Horne
President and Chief Executive Officer
Julia Winterbottom Kennard
Chief Financial Officer
Donors
BENEFACTOR - $ 10,000+
AT&T
AT&T Real Yellow Pages
Bank of America
BP Foundation, Inc.
Central Carolina Community Foundation
City of Columbia
Coca Cola Bottling Co.
Colonial Life
Foundation for the Carolinas
Fullerton Foundation
Mrs. Sabine Lang and Mr. Keith Spittler
Lipscomb Family Foundation
Monsanto Fund
National Institutes of Health
National Science Foundation / Association
of Science and Technology Centers
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Richland County
SC Department of Education
SC Department of Health and Environmental Control
SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals
Target
The Animal Mission
The Institute of Museum and Library Services
The State Newspaper
United Way of the Midlands
Wachovia/Wells Fargo Foundation
PATRON - $ 5,000+
Bostick Charitable Trust
Edward B. Timmons, Jr. Charitable Trust
International Paper Company Foundation
K12 Management, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. R. Lynn Kelley
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Kopecky
Mr. Stephen and Dr. Gail Morrison
Orkin Pest Control
David and Dianne Schweiger
South Carolina Dental Association
State Farm Insurance Company
WLTX - TV
WOLO - ABC Columbia
Zvjenieks Foundation
BEST FRIEND - $ 2,500+
Anonymous
Columbia Metropolitan Magazine
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Comer
Coplon’s
John and Susan Cotter
Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Dennis
Catherine Wilson Horne
Illuminations MedSpa
Lamar
Palmetto Health - Office of Community Services
Tally Parham
Heather Brown
Nici Comer
Ronnie Dennis
Ron Epps
Elizabeth Igleheart
Edna Reese Langley
Kris McCorquodal
Tim McKissock
Steve Morrison
Rick Patel
Susan Bonk
Director of Exhibits and Experiences
Nikki Williams
Director of Educational Leadership
RBC Bank
Rice Creek Family Dentistry
Rogers, Townsend & Thomas, P.C.
Select Health
The Kroger Foundation
WACH Fox
Ms. Tommie Wingate
Wyche, PA
FRIEND - $ 1,000+
AARP of South Carolina
Absolute Total Care
Advanced Fertility & Reproductive
Endocrinology Institute, LLC
Mr. Bradley Anderson
Mr. and Mrs. Ben D. Arnold
B106.7 WTCB
Mr. and Mrs. Evan Bass
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen K. Benjamin
Mr. and Mrs. Terry S. Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Buonasera
Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Burkett
Terri and Raymond Bynoe
Mr. Josh Chambers
Chapman Family Charitable Trust, Inc.
Dr. and Mrs. W. Lloyd Clark
Consortium for Enterprise Systems Management
Mr. and Mrs. Ivan G. Earle
Dr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Epps
FN Manufacturing
Dr. Felicia Goins
Groucho’s Deli
Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Haas
Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
Stephen and Lana Hefner
Dr. and Mrs. Randall C. Horn
House of Raeford/Columbia Farms, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Jordan
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Kirby
Macy’s
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy M. McKissock
MomsLikeMe.com
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP
Dr. and Mrs. C. Hardy Oliver, Jr.
Professional Printers
SCE&G
Mr. and Mrs. Terry K. Schmoyer, Jr.
Schmoyer and Company, LLC
SEACO, Inc.
South Carolina Research Foundation
Thermo King Columbia, SC
UPS
PAL - $ 500+
AIA Columbia South Carolina Chapter
Anonymous
AT&T Matching Gift Center
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Baughman
Jay Swearingen
Samuel Tenenbaum
Debbie Zvejnieks
Ex Officios
Bradley Anderson
Michael Borden
Tameika Devine
Seth Rose
Allison Kirby
Director of Development
K. Wayne Thornley
Director of Marketing
Bliss Enterprises, Inc.
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Bonailla
Ms. Susan Bonk
Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett Branham
Buchanan Construction Services
Mr. and Mrs. Holt Chetwood
Mr. Randall Gaston and Mrs. Cynthia Cox
Defender Services, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Elkins
Embassy Suites Hotel
Essex Homes
First Citizens Bank
Ms. Lauren FitzHugh
Dr. Carol French
Mr. and Mrs. Mark P. Garside
Garvin Design Group, Inc.
Geiger Brothers
Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Hamilton
Ms. Melanie Hansen
Mr. and Mrs. Bernard F. Hawkins, Jr.
Hood Construction Company
Bo and Joy Ivester
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Jordan
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald D. Jowers, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Kennard
Mr. and Mrs. Sean K. King
Mr. and Mrs. John E. Lansche
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Liebenow
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Maloney
Mashburn Construction Company, Inc.
Midlands Biz
Mr. and Mrs. G. Lee Mikell
Palmetto Air & Chiller Service
Palmetto Smiles Pediatric
& Family Dentistry
Piedmont Transport Inc.
Bert and Shannon Pooser
Mrs. Anne S. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. David W. Smith, Jr.
South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division
South Carolina Humanities Council
Barry and Robin Stanton
Studio 2LR, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Taylor
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Tenenbaum
The HT Hackney Company
The Kids' Group
Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Tomlinson
Mr. and Mrs. Jason K. Tompkins
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Toole
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Turner
WalMart Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Williams, IV
Dr. Katherine Williams
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wingard
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wren

Financials
EdVenture, Inc. Statement of Activities for Year Ended June 30, 2011
Total
Revenues, Gains and Other Support
Annual giving and pledges 766,563
Government support and grants 1,284,865
Admissions 824,520
Membership 212,280
Program revenue 495,126
Retail sales 234,351
Facility rental 24,138
Special events 87,425
In-Kind revenue 239,600
Investment income 36,101
Total revenues, gains, and other support" 4,204,969
Expenses and Losses Before Depreciation, Amortization and Interest Expense
Administration 783,785
Facilities and exhibits 371,280
Education 1,783,728
Development 250,769
Marketing 390,253
Retail operations 245,280
Special events 48,366
Total expenses and losses before depreciation, amortization and interest expense 3,873,461
Changes in net assets before depreciation, amortization and interest expense 331,508
Depreciation and amortization expense 727,545
Interest expense 71,468
Changes in net assets (467,505)
Net assets, beginning of year, as restated 10,519,789
Net assets, end of year 10,052,284
A copy of an independently audited financial statement conducted by Deloach and Williamson, LLP is available by written request.
EdVenture’s
annual
economic
impact
exceeds
$ 14 million
EdVenture
employs
35 full-time
and
50 part-time
people
Donor
support
provides
40%
of EdVenture’s
budget

Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Columbia, SC
Permit No. 817
www.edventure.org
211 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29201