The Children’s Museum of Memphis

Name

The Children’s Museum of Memphis

Legal name

The Children's Museum of Memphis, Inc.

Website

https://cmom.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Museum

NAICS

Museums (71211), Amusement and Theme Parks (71311)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Museums (THAJADAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Educational & Edutainment Parks (Science/Discovery/Children’s Parks) (THAJAEAG)

Keywords

• Children's museum exhibits
• Interactive educational programs
• Annual museum memberships
• Birthday party rentals
• School group visits

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. General Admission Tickets: Per-visit admission fee: $20 for ages 1-100, free for under 1, free for members. Additional add-on tickets for carousel ($5) and H2Oh! Splash Pad ($7), plus a $27 Season Combo Ticket valid Memorial Day through Labor Day. Non-member parking $6.
2. Annual Memberships: Five annual membership tiers ranging from Dual ($140) to VIP ($500), providing unlimited visits, free carousel/splash pad access, free parking, member discounts on events and birthday parties, and invitations to exclusive events. Explorer tier includes ACM reciprocal benefits (50% off at 200+ children's museums).
3. Birthday Party Rentals: Three party packages (Carousel Club Room up to 75 guests; Birthday Party Room 40-person and 30-person variants) priced $300-$950 for members and non-members, plus per-additional-guest fees ranging $18-$26. Includes museum exhibits, carousel, and splash park access depending on tier. Nonrefundable; 12-month reschedule window.
4. Group/School Programs: Structured group visits for schools, churches, daycares, summer camps, and scouts. $12 per child (includes Grand Carousel ride), with adult chaperones at $12 each. Multiple daily time slots; minimum 10, maximum 150 children per group.
5. Individual & Family Donations (Annual Fund): Charitable contributions via Play it Forward Annual Fund, exhibit-specific giving, program support, honorariums, the 2525 Society ($2,500+ annually), Donor-Advised Funds, appreciated securities, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, and estate/legacy gifts. Tax-deductible; 501(c)(3) EIN 62-1326890.
6. Corporate Sponsorships: Customizable corporate sponsorship packages for exhibit sponsors, program sponsors, event sponsorships (Cirque du CMOM and Golf Tournament), and strategic initiatives. Benefits include brand exposure to 250,000+ annual visitors, employee engagement opportunities, and exclusive naming rights.
7. Special Fundraising Events (Cirque du CMOM): Annual signature fundraising event (Cirque du CMOM) featuring tiered sponsorships (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Patron), food and beverage sponsors, and event committee. Annual Golf Tournament is also held. Generates significant contributed revenue.
8. Merchandise Sales: CMOM-themed merchandise (toys, clothing, hats) sold via online store operated through Grind City Designs and in the on-site gift shop.
9. Government & Foundation Grants: Grants from entities including the Tennessee Arts Commission, U.S. Small Business Administration (Shuttered Venue Operators Grant during COVID-19), TN Cares Act Grant, Employee Retention Tax Credit, Economic Injury Disaster Loan, and PPP loans (both forgiven).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CMOM operates a hands-on children's museum in Memphis, TN featuring 30+ interactive indoor and outdoor exhibits across fine arts, STEM, role-play, and water play, anchored by signature attractions such as a restored 1909 Dentzel Grand Carousel, a full-scale FedEx cockpit simulator, and a 7,700+ sq ft H2Oh! Splash Park. The museum generates revenue through per-visit admission ($20), five tiers of annual memberships ($140-$500), birthday party rentals ($300-$950), structured school and group visits ($12/child), and corporate sponsorships of named exhibits. It complements on-site visits with a branded merchandise store (Grind City Designs), an online parenting and child development resource hub (CMOM Learn), and signature fundraising events such as Cirque du CMOM and the annual Golf Tournament.

Product overview

The Children's Museum of Memphis (CMOM) operates as a single physical institution anchored by a portfolio of 30+ permanent interactive exhibits (including signature attractions like the Grand Carousel, Going Places/FedEx Airplane, H2Oh! Splash Park, 901 Auto, The Bank, and Art and Innovation Lab) supplemented by recurring programs (ARTivities, Memphis Artist Series, Story Time, Learning Lab, At Home Learning) and limited-run events and traveling exhibits (notably Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: The Exhibit and All Things Tennessee). Layered atop this core museum experience are membership tiers (Dual, Family, Grandparent, Explorer, VIP), Party Rentals, Group/School Visit Programs, a CMOM-branded Merchandise Shop, and a content-rich Learn portal offering parenting and child-development articles and videos led by CEO Dr. Stewart Burgess. Membership, ticketing, and donation transactions run on the integrated Blackbaud Altru platform, while the merchandise storefront is hosted by Grind City Designs, and retail give-back programs are integrated with Kroger Community Rewards and Target Circle.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cirque du CMOM: The museum's signature annual fundraising gala and party held for adult supporters (e.g., 2026 Cirque du CMOM sponsored by BOK Financial and White Door Events).
• 2525 Society
• Play it Forward Annual Fund

Products and services

• General Admission Tickets Pay-as-you-go admission tickets providing single-day access to all 30+ indoor and outdoor exhibits at the Memphis museum for families and individual visitors ages 1-100.
• Annual Membership Program Subscription-based annual memberships at five price tiers providing unlimited museum visits, free add-on experiences, free parking, and member discounts for individuals, families, and grandparents; Explorer tier adds 50% reciprocal admission to 200+ ACM children's museums.
• Birthday Party Rentals Three birthday-party rental packages hosted in dedicated party rooms at the museum, providing exclusive room access, museum entry, and optional Grand Carousel and H2Oh! Splash Park add-ons for member and non-member hosts.
• Group and School Visit Programs Discounted group admission program for organized school, church, daycare, summer camp, and scout groups of 10-150 children, including a Grand Carousel ride and access to most indoor exhibits at $12 per child.
• CMOM Merchandise Shop Retail merchandise sales of CMOM-themed toys, clothing, hats, and accessories distributed through a dedicated online storefront operated by Grind City Designs and through the on-site museum gift shop.
• Corporate Sponsorship Packages Multi-tier corporate sponsorship offerings covering named exhibit sponsorship, program sponsorship, and signature-event sponsorship (Cirque du CMOM, Golf Tournament) sold through the museum's development department to local and regional businesses.
• CMOM Donor and Annual Fund Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 250,000+ visitors annually from Shelby County and the broader region
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship / signature sponsor, flagship exhibit sponsor, major exhibit sponsor, major exhibit/program sponsor, major community partnership, event/program sponsor, program funder, major traveling exhibit partner, industry affiliation, event gold sponsor, event silver sponsor / board affiliation, event gold sponsor / board affiliation, event silver sponsor, event co-sponsor, retail give-back partner, merchandise distribution partner, board affiliation, board leadership affiliation, board affiliation (ex-officio) and event silver sponsor / legacy donor.

• FedExflagship / signature sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFedEx sponsors the "Going Places" exhibit at CMOM, which features a life-sized FedEx cockpit simulator with instrument panel and working package conveyor system. Also a $1M+ Legacy Society donor (Endless Possibilities tier) and supported the Memphis Grand Carousel campaign.
• AutoZoneflagship exhibit sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutoZone sponsors the "901 Auto" exhibit, an interactive auto-mechanics experience featuring digital car design, build/test stations, basic repair education, and a racetrack. Also a $500,000+ Legacy Society (Imagine tier) donor.
• Delta Dentalflagship exhibit sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelta Dental sponsors the "Smiles, Inc." exhibit, an imaginative-play dentist office teaching brushing, flossing, tooth anatomy, x-rays, and dental care. Also a Memphis Grand Carousel campaign contributor.
• First Horizon Foundationflagship exhibit sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Horizon Foundation sponsors "The Bank" exhibit, an interactive financial-literacy exhibit featuring a working drive-up banking tube and digital panels covering earning, saving, investing, and spending. First Horizon is also a Gold Sponsor of Cirque du CMOM.
• International Paperflagship exhibit sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Paper sponsors the "Renew It!" exhibit, which teaches children about recycling, reusing, and renewing resources using corrugated boxes, sorting activities, and touchscreens. Also a $1M+ Legacy Society donor. Stephanie Doherty (International Paper HR Director) serves on the CMOM Board of Trustees.
• Baptist Pediatric Caremajor exhibit sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaptist Pediatric Care sponsors "P.D. Parrot's Healthy Habitat" exhibit covering nutrition, exercise, body systems, and healthy choices via an oversized Operation Game and x-ray reading station.
• BlueCross BlueShield of Tennesseemajor exhibit/program sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee sponsors the Art and Innovation Lab exhibit, a dedicated arts space featuring clay sculpture stations, 3D shape sculpture, painting easels, art bar, collage stations, and instructional panels on art movements.
• Porter-Leathmajor community partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPorter-Leath partnered with CMOM to provide Early Head Start family memberships, giving Pre-K children and families free Children's Museum access. Coverage by Daily Memphian and Action News 5 in 2021.
• Tennessee America 250event/program sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerTennessee America 250 sponsors CMOM's "Celebrating All Things TENNESSEE" juried student poster contest and week-long celebration (July 28 - August 2) for the Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary).
• Tennessee Arts Commissionprogram funderStrategic or Co-development PartnerTennessee Arts Commission sponsors the Memphis Artist Series program, providing funding for local Mid-South artists (e.g., Alexis Miché) to lead hands-on art instruction sessions with children. Also provided federal SLFRP5534 COVID-19 relief funding.
• The Children's Museum of Indianapolismajor traveling exhibit partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Children's Museum of Indianapolis produced the "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: The Exhibit" traveling exhibit in partnership with Disney Jr. — the first-ever museum exhibit inspired by the Emmy Award-winning series. CMOM hosts the exhibit from May 23 through September 6, 2026.
• Disney Jr.major traveling exhibit partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisney Jr. partnered with The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and CMOM to produce "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: The Exhibit" — a bilingual (English/Spanish) and ASL-accessible traveling exhibit featuring hands-on and digital activities around Pluto's surprise birthday party. Hosted at CMOM May 23 - September 6, 2026.
• Association of Children's Museums (ACM)industry affiliationStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMOM is an institutional member of the Association of Children's Museums, which provides a reciprocal program allowing families of up to six people a 50% discount on general admission to a network of over 200 participating children's museums across the U.S.
• First Horizonevent gold sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Horizon is a Gold Sponsor of the 2026 Cirque du CMOM annual fundraising gala and also serves as the sponsor for The Bank exhibit through First Horizon Foundation.
• KPMG, LLPevent silver sponsor / board affiliationStrategic or Co-development PartnerKPMG is a Silver Sponsor of Cirque du CMOM and employs CMOM Board of Trustees member Emilee Wetzel (Audit Senior Manager).
• Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh PLLCevent gold sponsor / board affiliationStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarris Shelton is a Gold Sponsor of Cirque du CMOM. Board of Trustees member Tricia Adrian is a Partner/Attorney at the firm.
• Simmons Bankevent silver sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimmons Bank is a Silver Sponsor of the 2026 Cirque du CMOM fundraising event.
• Paragon Bankevent silver sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParagon Bank is a Silver Sponsor of the 2026 Cirque du CMOM fundraising event.
• Duncan Williams Asset Managementevent silver sponsor / board affiliationStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuncan Williams Asset Management is a Silver Sponsor of Cirque du CMOM. Board of Trustees member Patrick O'Conner is First Vice President at the firm.
• White Door Eventsevent co-sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhite Door Events co-sponsors the 2026 Cirque du CMOM (logo featured on event page). Beth White (White Door Events) is also listed as a Memphis Grand Carousel campaign contributor.
• BOK Financialevent co-sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBOK Financial co-sponsors the 2026 Cirque du CMOM (logo featured on event page).
• Kroger Community Rewards Programretail give-back partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCMOM participates in the Kroger Community Rewards Program — supporters can link their Kroger rewards account to CMOM as their charity of choice, generating passive contributions.
• Target Circle Programretail give-back partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCMOM participates in the Target Circle Program — supporters can select CMOM as their charity of choice through Target's loyalty platform.
• Grind City Designsmerchandise distribution partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGrind City Designs operates the online CMOM merchandise store (grindcitydesigns.com/CMOM/shop/), selling toys, clothing, hats, and other CMOM-themed items.
• Evans Petreeboard affiliationStrategic or Co-development PartnerJosh Baker, Shareholder at Evans Petree, serves on the CMOM Board of Trustees.
• New York Lifeboard affiliationStrategic or Co-development PartnerScotty Hendricks, Managing Partner at New York Life, serves on the CMOM Board of Trustees.
• Metropolitan Cardiovascular Instituteboard leadership affiliationStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Dwight "Dan" Dishmon, MD FACC — CEO of Metropolitan Cardiovascular Institute — serves as Chair of the CMOM Board of Trustees.
• UTHSC / Le Bonheur Children's Hospitalboard affiliationStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Jason Yaun, Professor and Pediatrician at UTHSC / Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, serves on the CMOM Board of Trustees.
• CES Powerboard affiliation (ex-officio)Strategic or Co-development PartnerPhilip Pontius, CFO of CES Power, serves as Ex-Officio member of the CMOM Board of Trustees.
• Sylvamoevent gold sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSylvamo is a Gold Sponsor of the 2026 Cirque du CMOM annual fundraising event.
• Pfizerevent silver sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPfizer is a Silver Sponsor of the 2026 Cirque du CMOM annual fundraising event.
• Phelps Dunbarevent silver sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhelps Dunbar is a Silver Sponsor of the 2026 Cirque du CMOM annual fundraising event.
• UBS Financial Servicesevent silver sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUBS Financial Services is a Silver Sponsor of the 2026 Cirque du CMOM annual fundraising event.
• Dobbs Management Servicesevent silver sponsor / legacy donorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDobbs Management Services is a Silver Sponsor of Cirque du CMOM. John and Katherine Dobbs and Edward and Cindy Dobbs are major Legacy Society donors (Imagine tier) and Memphis Grand Carousel campaign contributors.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Boston Children's Museum: One of the oldest continuously operating children's museums in the U.S., single urban site with membership, group programs, and traveling exhibits. Comparable operating model, with a broader geographic draw than CMOM.
• Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose: Single-site, mid-sized children's museum in a major U.S. metro with a permanent + traveling exhibit mix, memberships, and school programs. Directly comparable in scale and operational profile to CMOM.
• Please Touch Museum: Philadelphia-based children's museum with a single primary site, sponsored exhibits, membership tiers, and group programs. Closely comparable in mission, exhibit structure, and nonprofit funding model to CMOM.
• Children's Museum of Houston: Large, single-site urban children's museum with a comparable mix of permanent interactive exhibits, sponsored exhibits, traveling shows, memberships, and birthday party programs. Similar operational scale and revenue model to CMOM.
• Discovery Children's Museum: Las Vegas-based children's museum with comparable hands-on STEM, arts, and role-play exhibits, plus membership and group programming. Closely aligned single-site, mid-market operating model.
• The Children's Museum of Indianapolis: The largest children's museum in the world and CMOM's explicit traveling-exhibit partner (co-produced the Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse exhibit that CMOM is hosting in 2026). Directly comparable single-site, mixed exhibit model with deep corporate sponsorship and educational programming.
• Children's Museum of Atlanta: Single-site children's museum in a Southeast U.S. metro with permanent interactive exhibits, memberships, and party/group programs. Directly comparable in regional scope and target audience.
• Children's Museum of Pittsburgh: Single-site, mid-sized children's museum with a strong emphasis on hands-on making, arts, and STEM exhibits. Directly comparable in scale, exhibit mix, and reliance on corporate and foundation sponsorship.
• Brooklyn Children's Museum: Urban single-site children's museum with membership tiers, group/school programs, and corporate-sponsored exhibits. Highly comparable in scale, audience (young children and families), and programming philosophy.

Regional players

• Memphis Museums (Memphis Museums, Inc. / Pink Palace Family of Museums): Memphis-based museum system (Pink Palace, Memphis Museum System) that competes for local family visitation, school group bookings, and corporate sponsorship dollars in the same Memphis Metro as CMOM. Comparable regional player with overlapping audience but broader scope (science and history rather than children's-only).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cmom

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Children’s Museum of Memphis