The Children’s Museum of Cleveland

What The Children’s Museum of Cleveland does

The Children's Museum of Cleveland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1981 that operates a single physical children's museum in Cleveland's Midtown neighborhood, housed in the historic Stager-Beckwith mansion at 3813 Euclid Avenue. The museum serves approximately 200,000 individuals annually through eight permanent exhibits (Wonder Lab, Adventure City, Arts & Parts, Making Miniatures, Meadow, Playlist, Theater, and Bubbles) and a portfolio of educational programs targeted at children ages birth to 8, including CMC Center Stage performances, Discovery Camp, the STEM Kids outreach program for Title One schools, virtual programs, and the "Let's Talk" racial equity toolkit developed with Cleveland State University's Diversity Institute. Its core assets are interactive exhibits and curriculum content delivered on-site and through outreach, not technology products; the underlying platform is a physical facility supported by community partnerships rather than a software stack.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model combining fee-for-service admissions ($15 per adult/child, free for infants under 12 months and members), recurring annual memberships, fee-based outreach sessions ($250 per in-person session, $200 per remote field trip for 25 students), birthday party and group tour rentals, a corporate-sponsored annual gala ($200–$400 per ticket), and donations/grants including the designated Wonder Fund that subsidizes free and reduced admissions. The customer base is distributed across consumer families, Title One schools, special needs families, and low-income families referred through social services agencies; 14% of guests access the museum through free or reduced admissions. The go-to-market is community-led and partnership-driven, reaching families through Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, social services agencies, and earned media in regional outlets (Fox 8, News 5 Cleveland, Ideastream, WKYC, Cleveland Magazine). Since relocating to the Midtown facility in Fall 2017, the museum has more than doubled attendance and grown membership 6x relative to its prior University Circle location.

Name

The Children’s Museum of Cleveland

Legal name

The Children's Museum of Cleveland

Website

https://cmcleveland.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Children's Museum of Cleveland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a single physical museum in Cleveland's Midtown neighborhood, serving approximately 200,000 children ages 0–8 annually through interactive exhibits, educational outreach to Title One schools, and the Wonder Fund-subsidized free admission program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Museum / Early Childhood Education Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (71211), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Museums (THAJADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Classroom Learning Centers & Thematic Units (Dramatic Play, Blocks, Sensory, STEM) (EDACAJAH), Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

Keywords

• Children's museum
• Early childhood education
• Hands-on exhibits
• STEM education programs
• Field trip programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Admissions: General admission tickets sold to visitors. Adults and children pay $15; infants 11 months and younger are free; members are free.
2. Memberships: Annual membership programs providing free admission and other benefits to members.
3. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, relies on grants and donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals to support operations and programs.
4. Wonder Fund: Designated fund supporting free and reduced admissions programs, free field trips and outreach programs for low-income students, and free family visits through special needs access programs.
5. Outreach Programs: In-Person Outreach Program: $250 per session for educators to facilitate programs at classrooms; Remote Field Trip: $200 for pre-recorded lessons or teacher plans with supply kits for 25 students.
6. Annual Gala: Annual fundraising event with ticket sales and sponsorships. VIP tickets at $400, standard tickets at $200. Event benefits the Wonder Fund.
7. Birthday Party Rentals: Birthday party rentals offered as a rental option at the museum.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Children's Museum of Cleveland operates a physical children's museum featuring eight permanent hands-on exhibits (Wonder Lab, Adventure City, Arts & Parts, Making Miniatures, Meadow, Playlist, Theater, and Bubbles) for children ages 0-8. It supplements on-site experiences with educational programs including STEM Kids outreach to Title One schools, virtual programs, CMC Center Stage performances, Discovery Camp, and the Let's Talk racial equity toolkit. Revenue is generated from admissions, memberships, paid outreach programs, facility rentals, and philanthropic support via the Wonder Fund and annual gala.

Product overview

The Children's Museum of Cleveland is a physical children's museum offering hands-on learning experiences through interactive exhibits and educational programs for children birth to age 8. The museum operates as a unified attraction with multiple permanent exhibits (Wonder Lab, Adventure City, Arts & Parts, Making Miniatures, Meadow, Playlist, Theater, and Bubbles) and supplemental programs including CMC Center Stage performances, Discovery Camp, STEM Kids outreach, Virtual Programs, and the racial equity toolkit. The museum serves as both a physical destination and community resource through on-site and outreach programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Museum Admission and Membership On-site admission and annual memberships providing access to all eight permanent exhibits and on-site programming for families and children birth through age 8.
• Wonder Lab Exhibit An industrial science laboratory exhibit where children explore water and scientific concepts through hands-on play.
• Adventure City Exhibit The museum's largest exhibit space featuring a market, a two-story climber, and a construction site for building, working, climbing, and imaginative city play.
• Arts & Parts Exhibit A sun-filled art studio exhibit where children work with various materials, tools, and supplies to express their imaginations.
• Making Miniatures Exhibit An exhibit where children explore and create their own miniature world through hands-on play.
• Meadow Exhibit An exhibit designed to encourage, support, and nurture the parent/child relationship, building a foundation for lifelong learning and healthy child development.
• Playlist Exhibit An immersive musical experience where children self-express with props and pretend instruments.
• Theater Exhibit An exhibit where imagination and teamwork come to life through theatrical play experiences.
• Bubbles Exhibit A permanent exhibit presented by University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital where children explore the science and wonder of bubbles.
• STEM Kids Program Free field trips and outreach programs for Title One schools serving a high percentage of low-income pre-K through second grade students.
• Outreach Programs (In-Person and Remote) Educator-led in-person ($250 per session) and remote field trip ($200 for 25 students) programming brought to classrooms, camps, and events.
• Virtual Programs Free educator-led virtual programs including CMC Tales story times, STEM activities, music, art, health, cooking, and holiday activities.
• CMC Center Stage Performance Series A performance series offering music, theater, and dance performances for early-childhood audiences on the museum's small stage with floor seating and free admission.
• CMC Discovery Camp Summer camp program for children hosted at the museum (paused for 2026 due to staffing limitations).
• Let's Talk: A Toolkit for Conversations About Race A digital toolkit developed with Cleveland State University's Diversity Institute that helps parents and caregivers talk with children about race and racism using age-appropriate conversation guides, reading lists, and interactive activities for ages 0-8.
• Birthday Party Rentals Private rentals of museum spaces for hosting birthday parties for families and children.
• Group Tours Guided group tour experiences for organized groups visiting the museum.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves nearly 200,000 individuals annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's HospitalsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2022Presented the Bubbles exhibit at the museum, demonstrating commitment to children's health and development in the community.
• Cleveland State University - Diversity InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Cleveland State University's Diversity Institute to develop 'Let's Talk: A Toolkit for Conversations About Race.' This program helps parents and caregivers talk to children about race and racism with age-appropriate resources, conversation guides, reading lists, and interactive activities for ages 0-8.
• The Diversity Center of Northeast OhiosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Let's Talk racial equity program, contributing to the museum's mission of eliminating bias and bigotry through youth and family programming.
• Visible Voice BookssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBookstore partner for the Let's Talk program, located in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood. Provides expertise in literature supporting diversity and inclusion education.
• The Ratner SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot partner integrating the Let's Talk racial equity curriculum into early childhood classrooms. Pre-K through 8th grade Montessori school in Pepper Pike, Ohio with a richly diverse student body.
• Cleveland Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey community partnership to connect families to museum facility and resources, extending the museum's reach into the broader community.
• Cleveland Metropolitan School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor educational partnership connecting students and families to museum programs and educational resources through district-wide initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Please Touch Museum: Philadelphia-based children's museum dedicated to early childhood enrichment through interactive exhibits — direct peer in age targeting, nonprofit structure, and exhibit-led learning.
• Discovery Museum (Bridgeport, CT): A regional children's museum serving young families with STEM and hands-on exhibits — comparable in scale, regional scope, and educational programming focus.
• Children's Museum of Pittsburgh: A regional children's museum focused on hands-on learning for young children, with exhibits, makerspaces, and outreach programming — closely comparable to CMC in mission, age focus, and operating model.
• Boston Children's Museum: One of the oldest and largest children's museums in the U.S., offering exhibits and programs for early learners — comparable in mission, audience, and education-driven programming.
• Children's Museum of Atlanta: Atlanta-based children's museum focused on hands-on play and learning for young children — closely comparable in target age range, nonprofit structure, and exhibit/program mix.
• Children's Museum of Indianapolis: The largest children's museum in the U.S., operating as a 501(c)(3) with broad educational exhibits and outreach — directly comparable mission and revenue model, though at much greater scale.
• Cincinnati Children's Museum: Ohio-based family/children's museum serving the Cincinnati region with hands-on exhibits and educational programming — a same-state peer with similar age focus and community-based nonprofit model.

Regional players

• Great Lakes Science Center: A Cleveland-based science center with STEM exhibits and educational outreach — same geography and overlapping STEM programming (e.g., Wonder Lab vs. science exhibits), though broader audience beyond early childhood.
• Cleveland Museum of Natural History: A Cleveland cultural institution offering exhibits and educational programming — same regional market for family visits and field trips, but with a broader scientific/heritage focus rather than early-childhood specialization.

Others

• Association of Children's Museums: The professional association supporting children's museums globally — not a direct competitor but a key ecosystem body relevant to CMC's programming, partnerships, and field standards.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CMCCleveland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/childrens-museum-of-cleveland
• Xx.com/CMC_Cleveland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Cleveland