Mississippi Children's Museum

Children's Museum Education and Cultural Tourismmschildrensmuseum.org

Mississippi Children's Museum is a Jackson-based nonprofit operating two children's museums (Jackson and Meridian) and a statewide traveling exhibit program, delivering hands-on literacy, STEAM, health, and cultural arts education to families, schools, and underserved communities across Mississippi.

Company typePrivate
Founded2010
HeadquartersJackson, United States
Headcount51–100
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What Mississippi Children's Museum does

Mississippi Children's Museum (MCM) is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2010 as a signature project of the Junior League of Jackson. Headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, the museum operates two physical locations (MCM-Jackson at 2145 Museum Boulevard and MCM-Meridian at 403 22nd Avenue, opened 2021) and a statewide traveling exhibit program (MCM Travels) that delivers modular hands-on exhibits to schools, libraries, churches, and community centers across Mississippi. The institution serves families with children, public school districts (Jackson and Meridian Public Schools), healthcare providers (e.g., University of Mississippi Medical Center, Reach Out and Read pediatric partners), and corporate/community funders, with a stated mission centered on literacy, STEAM, health, Mississippi heritage, and cultural arts.

Core offerings are organized across five program pillars and include permanent and rotating exhibits (Wonder of Wellness, Story to Stage, Rocky's House, Celebrations: Asian Culture, Imagination Playground, Train Cars and Train Tables), The LIFT early childhood initiative (Launch into Learning afterschool, Read to Succeed literacy intervention, CS Wonder teacher training, Talk from the Start, Reach Out and Read), supplemental services (summer camps, birthday parties, facility rentals), and a membership program. The underlying operational technology stack consists of Blackbaud-powered online ticketing and donation processing, standard social/content/web platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WordPress-based website), and proprietary modular exhibit engineering for the MCM Travels program. There is no disclosed proprietary software platform, API, or AI/ML capability.

Revenue is generated across five streams: general admissions at $13 per person (with children under one admitted free), recurring memberships (2,231 Jackson + 840 Meridian as of 2023), donations and grants ($2.06M in FY2022-2023), events and facility rentals ($536K from MCM Partners events in 2022), and educational program fees plus sponsorship (Google, Powers and Lake Foundation, others). Total reported revenue and support was $5.51M in FY2023-2024 (June 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024) and $5.75M in FY2022-2023, against expenses of $7.47M and $6.95M respectively, with a $33.4M combined net asset base. Major donors and partners include the W.K. Kellogg Foundation ($1.17M three-year commitment, 2024-2026), C Spire ($1M donation, 2026), IMLS, Trustmark, BankPlus, and Google. The organization is actively hiring, with 55 paid employees and a combined 1,336 volunteers contributing 7,707 hours annually.

Mississippi Children's Museum firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Mississippi Children's Museum
Legal name: Mississippi Children's Museum
Website: https://mschildrensmuseum.org
Company type: Private
Founded year: 2010
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 51–100 employees
Short description: Mississippi Children's Museum is a Jackson-based nonprofit operating two children's museums (Jackson and Meridian) and a statewide traveling exhibit program, delivering hands-on literacy, STEAM, health, and cultural arts education to families, schools, and underserved communities across Mississippi.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Mississippi Children's Museum industry classification

Industry

Product category: Children's Museum Education and Cultural Tourism
NAICS: Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)
SIC: Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
akta.pro primary industry: Children’s Museums (THAJADAE)
akta.pro secondary industries: Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Kids & Family Learning Workshops (Family Crafts, Junior Maker Classes) (THAJAKAO), Family, Kids & Education Fairs (MPAGAFAH)

Keywords

Children's museum education
Hands-on exhibits
Literacy programs
STEAM learning
Traveling exhibits

Where Mississippi Children's Museum is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Jackson
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

Mississippi Children's Museum business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

Admissions: Ticket sales at $13 per person for general admission. Fiscal year 2022-2023 combined Jackson and Meridian attendance exceeded 225,000 visitors.
Memberships: Annual memberships offering exclusive benefits including early entry, member-only events, and discounts at the gift shop. Memberships numbered 2,231 in Jackson and 840 in Meridian (2023).
Donations and Grants: Private donations, corporate sponsorships, and government grants. Major donors include W.K. Kellogg Foundation ($1.17M commitment), C Spire ($1M donation), and numerous corporate partners. Total donations and grants of $2,063,567 in FY2022-2023.
Events and Facility Rentals: Birthday party bookings (256 parties in Jackson), facility rentals, and fundraising events like Ignite the Night, Neon Night, and Merry at the Museum. MCM Partners events generated $536,436 in 2022.
Educational Programs: Fee-based educational programs including Launch into Learning afterschool program, Read to Succeed literacy intervention, and CS Wonder teacher training. Program sponsorships from Google, Powers and Lake Foundation, and others.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Unit Pricing	Pay-as-you-go	Standard admission for all visitors

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Mississippi Children's Museum product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Mississippi Children's Museum operates two physical museum locations (Jackson and Meridian) offering hands-on, interactive exhibits and educational programs focused on literacy, STEAM, health, and cultural arts for children. The museum extends its reach statewide through the MCM Travels traveling exhibit program, which brings modular exhibits to schools and community centers, and delivers structured afterschool, literacy intervention, and teacher training programs. Revenue is generated through admissions ($13 per person), annual memberships, corporate sponsorships, private donations, foundation grants, facility rentals, and birthday party bookings.

Product overview

Mississippi Children's Museum is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization operating as a single unified museum institution with two physical locations—MCM-Jackson and MCM-Meridian—rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The museum's offerings center on hands-on educational experiences across five pillars: Literacy, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), Health, Mississippi Heritage, and Cultural Arts. Core offerings include permanent and rotating exhibits (Wonder of Wellness, Story to Stage), a robust MCM Travels program delivering traveling exhibits statewide (Rocky's House, Celebrations: Asian Culture), and The LIFT initiative encompassing Launch into Learning afterschool programs, Read to Succeed literacy intervention, and CS Wonder teacher training. Additional services include summer camps, birthday parties, facility rentals, and a membership program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

MCM-Jackson The flagship location of Mississippi Children's Museum in Jackson, MS, offering hands-on exhibits and educational programs focused on literacy, STEAM, health, Mississippi Heritage, and cultural arts across multiple galleries.
MCM-Meridian The second Mississippi Children's Museum location in Meridian, MS, serving east Mississippi with hands-on exhibits and seasonal programming, having celebrated its 3rd birthday in 2024.
MCM Travels Traveling exhibit program bringing hands-on learning experiences to schools, churches, and community centers statewide, including exhibits like Rocky's House, Celebrations: Asian Culture, Wonder of Wellness, Imagination Playground, and Train Cars and Train Tables.
Launch into Learning Afterschool and summer enrichment program for Jackson and Meridian Public School Districts providing high-quality educational enrichment for underserved students Pre-K4 through 5th grade, serving over 100 students daily in Jackson and 30 daily in Meridian.
Read to Succeed Targeted literacy intervention program for Jackson Public School third graders designed to strengthen reading comprehension and fluency before state reading exams through small-group sessions and individualized instruction.
Wonder of Wellness Hands-on exhibit helping ensure the physical and mental health of Mississippi's children by increasing parents' and caregivers' knowledge about physical activity, healthy eating habits, and social/emotional wellness.
Story to Stage Interactive exhibit where children bring favorite stories to life by exploring elements of story creation, character development, and stage setting to foster creative literary environments.
Rocky's House Traveling exhibit introducing caregivers and children to characters representing Mississippi's diverse population, guiding guests through language and literacy development via playing, talking, and reading.
Celebrations: Asian Culture Traveling exhibit designed to bring children and families together to explore New Year celebrations in South Korea, China, and Vietnam through imagery of fireworks, lanterns, lotuses, and kites.
Train Cars and Train Tables Flexible traveling exhibit consisting of six pieces including train engine and train cars available for rent, adaptable to various space requirements and student numbers.
Membership Program Annual membership program offering exclusive benefits including early entry at 8am for special events, member-only events, unlimited museum access, and gift shop discounts for families.
Birthday Parties Party experience bookings offering themed celebrations and activities for children at the museum, with 256 parties hosted at the Jackson location in FY2022-2023.

Quantifiable outcome

Served over 100 Jackson Public Schools students and 30 Meridian Public Schools students daily through Launch into Learning afterschool program.
+2 more outcomes

Companies that use Mississippi Children's Museum

Customer profile

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Mississippi Children's Museum technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Mississippi Children's Museum partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

Junior League of JacksoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished the museum as a signature project. Founded the Forget-Me-Not Fund for long-term sustainability and exhibit maintenance. Ongoing advisory and volunteer support.
University of Mississippi Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in early childhood literacy and health initiatives, including Reach Out and Read program and Wonder of Wellness exhibit development.
Mississippi State University (NSPARC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Science Saturday programming and educational outreach initiatives.
LeFleur's Bluff ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative with Great City MS Foundation to ensure best management of shared LeFleur’s Bluff Complex and support community connection to the area.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Mississippi Children's Museum competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Port Discovery Children's Museum: Baltimore-based nonprofit children's museum with three floors of interactive exhibits and educational programming. Direct peer to MCM in exhibit-based learning model, school-group programming, and dependence on corporate and foundation funding to supplement admissions.
Madison Children's Museum: Madison, Wisconsin-based nonprofit children's museum emphasizing hands-on, art- and nature-focused exhibits. Comparable to MCM in mission, exhibit-driven visitation, and diversified nonprofit funding model.
Please Touch Museum: Philadelphia-based nonprofit children's museum focused on play-based learning for young children. Comparable to MCM in age-segment focus, hands-on exhibit strategy, and nonprofit operating model reliant on admissions, memberships, and major donor support.
Creative Discovery Museum: Chattanooga-based nonprofit children's museum with hands-on STEM and arts exhibits. Comparable to MCM in mid-sized regional market positioning, school partnerships, and mixed revenue model combining admissions, memberships, and fundraising events.
Discovery Children's Museum: Las Vegas-based nonprofit children's museum with hands-on STEM and arts exhibits. Comparable to MCM as a 501(c)(3) children's museum combining ticketed admissions, memberships, and donor funding, with a similar focus on school and community programming.
Children's Museum of Atlanta: Nonprofit children's museum in a mid-sized US city offering hands-on exhibits, educational programs, and a gift shop. Closely comparable to MCM in operating model, scale, target audience (families and school groups), and STEAM/literacy focus, with a similar admissions-driven revenue model supported by memberships and donations.
Louisiana Children's Museum: New Orleans-based nonprofit children's museum with hands-on exhibits focused on literacy, STEAM, health, and environment. Direct peer to MCM given similar mission, exhibit philosophy, Gulf South market, and reliance on community/education partnerships and donor funding.
Children's Museum of Memphis: Nonprofit children's museum in Memphis serving Mid-South families with hands-on exhibits, camps, and educational programming. Directly comparable to MCM in regional scope, Southeast US positioning, and mixed revenue model of admissions, memberships, and donor support.

Others

Association of Children's Museums: National trade association supporting the children's museum field through advocacy, professional development, and programming resources. Relevant peer context for MCM as an ecosystem-level organization that supports the operating model and best practices of children's museums.

Broad incumbents

Children's Museum of Indianapolis: The largest children's museum in the world, operating as a nonprofit cultural and educational institution with hands-on exhibits, programming, and national brand recognition. Comparable to MCM as a nonprofit children's museum model, though significantly larger in scale, budget, and geographic draw.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Mississippi Children's Museum financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Mississippi Children's Museum leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Mississippi Children's Museum subsidiaries and ownership

Company hierarchy

Subsidiaries1 record

Mississippi Children's Museum funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

Mississippi Children's Museum M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Mississippi Children's Museum

What does Mississippi Children's Museum do?

Is Mississippi Children's Museum a public or private company?

Mississippi Children's Museum is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was Mississippi Children's Museum founded?

Mississippi Children's Museum was founded in 2010. It employs 51 to 100 people.

Where is Mississippi Children's Museum based?

Mississippi Children's Museum is headquartered in Jackson, United States, in the North America region.

How does Mississippi Children's Museum make money?

Five revenue lines are on record. Admissions are the primary driver. The others are memberships, donations and Grants, events and Facility Rentals and educational Programs.

Who are Mississippi Children's Museum's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Port Discovery Children's Museum, Madison Children's Museum, Please Touch Museum, Creative Discovery Museum, Discovery Children's Museum, Children's Museum of Atlanta, Louisiana Children's Museum and Children's Museum of Memphis. Association of Children's Museums is listed as an others. Children's Museum of Indianapolis is listed as a broad incumbent.

Does Mississippi Children's Museum have an API?

No public API is recorded for Mississippi Children's Museum.

What industry is Mississippi Children's Museum in?

Mississippi Children's Museum's product category is Children's Museum Education and Cultural Tourism. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJADAE, Children’s Museums, with a secondary code of BPAGAHAA, Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty). Its NAICS code is 712 and its SIC code is 7900.