Greentrike

What Greentrike does

Greentrike is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 and headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, that operates two children's museums and a portfolio of play-based learning and family support programs serving children ages birth to 12 across Pierce County. The organization runs the Children's Museum of Tacoma (established 1985, flagship location at 1501 Pacific Avenue) and the Children's Museum at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (opened April 2021, the first children's museum on a U.S. military installation), both operating under the Pay As You Will donation-only admission model — a structure unique among children's museums nationally. Core programming is built on a Reggio Emilia-inspired play-based learning methodology and includes Preschool Powered by Play, Play to Learn Pierce County, Summer Camps, Monarch Diaper Bank, Greentrike Cares activity kits, STEAM Nights, and Sensory-friendly programs. Beyond museum operations, Greentrike serves as the Out-of-School Time Intermediary (OSTI) for Pierce County, coordinating Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) across 40+ partner organizations and 80+ part-time instructors serving approximately 2,000 youth annually.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue structure with substantial diversification: earned revenue from memberships (Playful at $135/year and Little Travelers at $155/year with reciprocal museum network benefits), preschool tuition ($460–$1,020/month), summer camps ($225–$375/week), group visits ($100–$450), event rentals ($150–$1,000), and merchandise; plus charitable contributions from foundations, corporate sponsors, and tribal funders including Tacoma Creates, Fisher House (2024 Fisher Service Award), Boeing, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Charity Trust, KeyBank, US Bank Foundation, MultiCare, and Cowlitz Tribal Foundation. A $10M More than a Museum capital campaign has raised $4.8M+ to date. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, anchored on direct-to-consumer museum visitation, free community programs at 15+ locations, and major annual fundraising events (Right to Play Gala, Power of Play Lunch, Gingerbread Jamboree). The customer base is highly diversified across families with young children, military families, low-income families, youth in Pierce County schools, and children with special needs, with an annual visitor count of 140,000+ at the Tacoma museum itself. Leadership transitioned in April 2026 to CEO Chelsie Webster, succeeding founder-leader Tanya Durand after a 29-year tenure.

Name

Greentrike

Legal name

Greentrike

Website

https://greentrike.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Greentrike is a Tacoma-based nonprofit operating two children's museums (Tacoma and JBLM) and play-based learning, early childhood, and family support programs serving children, families, military families, and youth across Pierce County, Washington.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Museum Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (712110), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

Keywords

• Children's museum operations
• Play-based learning programs
• Early childhood education
• Community youth services
• Museum memberships

Headquarters

HQ city

Tacoma

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Museum Admissions (Pay As You Will): Donation-based admission model where families choose what to pay for museum access. This model supports equitable access while generating revenue from visitors who are able and willing to donate.
2. Memberships: Annual memberships (Playful and Little Travelers tiers) providing unlimited member hours, discounts on programs, and reciprocal benefits at other museums. Memberships serve approximately 125-150 people at various capacity levels.
3. Preschool Tuition: Monthly tuition for Preschool Powered by Play program ranging from $460-$1,020 depending on class type (Toddler, 3-day, 5-day preschool). Extended Play+ option available for additional $325/month.
4. Summer Camp Fees: Week-long summer camps priced at $225/week (half day) or $375/week (full day) for ages 3-7 years.
5. Event Rentals: Birthday party and special event rentals at both museum locations. Pricing ranges from $150-$1,000 depending on location, time, and group size.
6. Grants and Charitable Support: Funding from foundations, government agencies, and corporate sponsors including Tacoma Creates, Fisher House, Boeing, and others to support operations and programming.
7. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including stickers, stickers, apparel, and Greentrike Cares Kits through the museum shop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Greentrike is a nonprofit organization that operates two children's museums (Children's Museum of Tacoma and Children's Museum at JBLM) and a portfolio of play-based learning programs for children and families in Pierce County, Washington. Its core offerings include the unique Pay As You Will donation-based museum admission, preschool education, summer camps, community play programs, expanded learning opportunities, and family support services such as a diaper bank and care kits. The organization serves over 140,000 visitors annually through museum visits, memberships, tuition-based programs, and community partnerships.

Product overview

Greentrike is a nonprofit organization operating two children's museums and multiple play-based community programs across Pierce County, Washington. The organization operates a platform-plus-programs model with the Children's Museum of Tacoma (established 1985, now celebrating its 40th birthday in 2025) and the Children's Museum at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (opened April 2021) as flagship facilities. Both museums feature Pay As You Will donation-based admission. The product portfolio includes membership tiers (Playful Membership at $135/year and Little Travelers Membership at $155/year with reciprocal museum benefits), Preschool Powered by Play (Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool at $460-$1,020/month), Summer Camps ($225-$375/week), and event rentals. Community programs include Play to Learn Pierce County (free drop-in sessions for children ages 0-6), Inclusive Play to Learn (for children with special needs), the Monarch Diaper Bank (free diaper distribution), Greentrike Cares Kits (activity packs for children in healthcare/housing situations), STEAM Nights (science/technology/engineering/art/math family events), Sparks activities, Summer Late Nights (free teen program), and Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) connecting youth to out-of-school programming across Tacoma Public Schools. Gnarkles' Circle of Friends provides member discounts through local business partnerships. The organization transitioned from Children's Museum of Tacoma to Greentrike in 2019 to reflect its expanded mission beyond a single museum.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pay As You Will: Donation-based admission model unique among children's museums in the nation, ensuring access to play for all families
• Play to Learn Pierce County
• Preschool Powered by Play
• Monarch Diaper Bank
• Greentrike OSTI / ELO
• Greentrike Cares
• Gnarkles' Circle of Friends

Products and services

• Children's Museum of Tacoma The flagship dynamic play-based museum facility in downtown Tacoma serving over 140,000 people annually, featuring five nature-inspired playscapes, an art studio, and a little library. It is the first children's museum in the nation to operate with Pay As You Will (donation-only) admission.
• Children's Museum at JBLM The first-ever children's museum on a U.S. military installation (Joint Base Lewis-McChord), funded by visitor donations and operated with Pay As You Will admission. Designed to serve military families with emphasis on early learners and those with special needs.
• Play to Learn Pierce County A free drop-in program for parents, grandparents, and caregivers nurturing children ages six and under. Thematic curriculum includes individual play, group activities, songs, and circle time, offered at community locations throughout Pierce County in both virtual and in-person formats.
• Preschool Powered by Play A Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool program at the Children's Museum of Tacoma offering Toddler Classes (ages 2-3) and Preschool Classes (ages 3-5) with 3-day and 5-day options. Includes optional extended Play+ sessions.
• Summer Camps Summer camp programs for early learners ages 3-7 years held at the Children's Museum of Tacoma. Available as half-day or full-day sessions Monday through Thursday, featuring art, science, engineering, storytelling, and adventure activities.
• Playful Membership Museum membership offering exclusive member-only admission hours, free Wee Ones Weekly play programs, member parking, early registration for preschool and camps, and 25% off admission at 20 participating Northwest Youth Museums.
• Little Travelers Membership Enhanced museum membership offering 50% discount on admission for up to 6 people at over 200 participating Association of Children's Museum reciprocal museums in the U.S. and Canada, plus member-rate admission at over 500 North American Reciprocal Museum institutions.
• Group Visits School visits and field trips providing safe, stimulating environments for group play-based learning. Includes 1.5-hour blocks with reservations required two weeks in advance and pricing based on group size.
• Birthday Parties and Event Rentals Venue rentals for birthday parties, special celebrations, private events, and corporate meetings at both museum locations. Available during or outside operating hours with varying capacity and pricing structures.
• Summer Late Nights Free drop-in program for middle and high school students offering dinners, connections with friends, and safe spaces at multiple community locations throughout Tacoma during summer weeknights.
• Monarch Diaper Bank Provides free 5-day supplies of diapers and wipes to families at the Children's Museum of Tacoma, Children's Museum at JBLM, and through pop-up locations at Play to Learn sessions across Pierce County.
• Greentrike Cares Kits Playful activity packs designed to help children process their surroundings and experience joy during challenging circumstances such as hospitalization, transitional housing, or domestic violence shelter situations.
• Inclusive Play to Learn A partnership with A Step Ahead Pierce County providing inclusive play sessions for children with special needs and their typically developing peers. Limited to 10 children per session with registration required.
• STEAM Nights Family evening events exploring science, technology, engineering, art, and math concepts with different monthly themes. Co-presented with Tacoma Public Libraries and offered at library locations throughout Tacoma.
• Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) Greentrike ELO connects Pierce County's child and youth-focused programs and services, coordinating after-school programming with 80+ part-time instructors from 40+ partner organizations serving 2,000 youth annually at Tacoma Public Schools and other community sites.

Quantifiable outcome

• 140,000+ visitors served annually at Children's Museum of Tacoma
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2021Strategic partnership to operate the first-ever children's museum on a U.S. military installation. JBLM Command partnered with Greentrike to create the Children's Museum at JBLM, designed to serve military families with emphasis on early learners, special needs children, and family reintegration. JBLM has identified gaps in enrichment opportunities for young families, noting it is the largest family base in the U.S.
• Tacoma Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Collaborative partnership to deliver Beyond the Bell and Club B after-school programs at all TPS elementary and middle schools. Tacoma Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in Washington state with 18,706 students across 36 elementary and 12 middle schools.
• Metro Parks TacomamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in expanded learning opportunities and community programming serving Tacoma youth.
• YMCA of Pierce & Kitsap CountiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Summer Late Nights program providing safe spaces for middle and high school students across Tacoma during summer months.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget SoundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Summer Late Nights program hosting programming at multiple branch locations including Al Davies, Milgard Family Eastside, and Schatz branches.
• Tacoma Housing AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELO partnership providing summer programming for youth in housing authority communities including Dixon Village.
• Pierce County LibrariesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlay to Learn programming partner hosting sessions at multiple library locations including Fern Hill, Swasey, and others throughout Pierce County.
• Asia Pacific Cultural CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlay to Learn and STEAM Nights programming partner serving the Asian and Pacific Islander community in Pierce County.
• National Diaper Bank NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliation with national network supporting diaper bank operations and resources for the Monarch Diaper Bank program.
• Tacoma Whole Child PartnershipmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-wide initiative ensuring every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged in and out of school. Greentrike serves as OSTI (Out-of-School Time Intermediary) leading expanded learning opportunities for the partnership.
• Seeds of PeaceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity partner providing ELO programming with site lead coordination at Seeds of Peace locations.
• Girls on the Run Puget SoundminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerYouth development organization providing physical activity and life skill programming for youth as an ELO provider.
• Mary Bridge Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership providing Greentrike Cares kits to children receiving treatment, helping them process stress through play-based activities.
• Tacoma Rescue MissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner serving children in transitional housing with Greentrike Cares activity kits.
• YWCA Women's Support SheltermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner serving children at the domestic violence shelter with Greentrike Cares kits.
• MWR Children and Youth ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary morale, welfare, and recreation program partnered for office space and coordination at Children's Museum at JBLM.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Pacific Science Center: Seattle-based nonprofit science center serving the broader Puget Sound region with educational programs, camps, and memberships. Comparable in mission and regional footprint, with overlapping STEAM programming and donor base in the Pacific Northwest.

Direct peers

• Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose: Silicon Valley children's museum with similar scale, mission, and multi-program model including memberships, camps, and community programs. Comparable in operating model and revenue diversification.
• Please Touch Museum: Philadelphia-based children's museum with play-based learning focus, similar membership and event rental programs. Direct comparability in museum operations, preschool-type programming, and museum-based birthday party/event rental revenue model.
• National Children's Museum: Washington DC-based children's museum with similar play-based learning programs, membership tiers, and educational programming. Comparable in operating model and visitor engagement strategy.
• Imagine Children's Museum: Everett, WA-based children's museum with comparable play-based learning programs, memberships, and community outreach. Same state and broadly comparable mission, serving the North Puget Sound region rather than Tacoma/Pierce County.
• KidsQuest Children's Museum: Bellevue, WA-based children's museum serving the Eastside Puget Sound region with similar play-based exhibits, memberships, and community programs. Closest direct georeferenced competitor to Greentrike in the Puget Sound children's museum landscape.
• Boston Children's Museum: One of the largest and oldest children's museums in the U.S., operating a single flagship location with similar mission around play-based learning for children and families. Directly comparable in terms of museum programming, school break/field trip offerings, and educational programming.
• Children's Museum of Indianapolis: The world's largest children's museum with comparable play-based learning programs, membership tiers, and community outreach. Closest analog in scale and program breadth to Greentrike's multi-program nonprofit model.

Others

• Association of Children's Museums: Industry trade association that has formally recognized Greentrike's Pay As You Will model. Not a peer in the operating sense, but the primary peer-network umbrella for the children's museum sector and a meaningful partner for Greentrike's Little Travelers reciprocal membership program.

Broad incumbents

• The Strong National Museum of Play: Rochester, NY-based play-focused museum widely regarded as the national thought leader on play and childhood development. Comparable in mission emphasis on play as learning, but materially larger scale and broader scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/greentrikeorg
• Instagraminstagram.com/cmjblm
• Xx.com/greentrike_org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/greentrike

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Greentrike