Golisano Children's Museum of Naples

What Golisano Children's Museum of Naples does

Golisano Children's Museum of Naples (CMON) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a two-story, 30,000 sq. ft. children's museum with 8,000 sq. ft. of outdoor play space at 15080 Livingston Road, Naples, Florida, founded in 2002 and currently led by CEO Jonathan Foerster. The museum delivers interactive, play-based learning through permanent galleries (Everglades exploration, banyan tree climbing, water play, weather, farming, art) and a rotating slate of licensed traveling exhibits (Thomas & Friends, Scooby-DOO, Xavier Riddle, Ciao Bambini), supported by sensory-friendly programming such as Calm & Comfort kits developed in partnership with Lee Health's Golisano Children's Hospital. CMON is currently developing Discovery School at CMON, a 6,000 sq. ft. six-classroom early learning center on its second floor, scheduled to open in 2026-2027 with capacity for approximately 90 PreK3 and PreK4 students at $400/week tuition.

CMON's revenue model blends consumer transactions (admissions, multi-tier memberships, birthday parties, facility rentals, paid programs like Family Yoga at $20/session), recurring tuition (Discovery School, bi-weekly/monthly/annual via Procare), and a substantial philanthropic stack including the signature Night at the Museum gala (raising $1.4M+ annually in 2024-2026), the Backyard Bash, corporate sponsorships (Germain Lexus, Publix, TPI Hospitality, EFC Farms), and government/foundation grants ($1.5M State of Florida appropriation; Collier Community Foundation; Suncoast Credit Union Foundation $10K). The museum must raise more than half of its annual operating budget through philanthropy. CMON serves Southwest Florida/Collier County families with children of all ages, schools and educational groups, under-resourced families (via Access-for-All memberships and Discovery Night), military families (Blue Star Museums), and corporate partners, with technology limited to operational SaaS (Procare, Veevart, Constant Contact) and no proprietary software or AI/ML capabilities.

Name

Golisano Children's Museum of Naples

Legal name

Golisano Children's Museum of Naples

Website

https://cmon.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CMON is a Naples, Florida nonprofit children's museum operating a 30,000 sq. ft. hands-on learning facility, serving Southwest Florida families with interactive exhibits, sensory-friendly programs, and a forthcoming PreK early learning center, funded through admissions, memberships, fundraising galas, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Museum and Educational Services

NAICS

Museums (71211), Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAJADAE

Children’s Museums

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Museums, Galleries & Cultural Institutions

SECONDARYEDAGACAD

Early Science & Discovery Content

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Early Childhood Learning Content

SECONDARYTHAJADAD

Science & Technology Museums

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Museums, Galleries & Cultural Institutions

SECONDARYEDACAJAH

Classroom Learning Centers & Thematic Units (Dramatic Play, Blocks, Sensory, STEM)

Education/Early Childhood Education/ECE Curriculum, Assessment & Learning Materials

Keywords

• Children's museum exhibits
• Interactive learning experiences
• Early childhood education
• Museum admissions and memberships
• STEAM education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Naples

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Museum Admissions: Ticket-based admission revenue from individual and family visitors to the museum's hands-on exhibits and interactive galleries
2. Membership Program: Annual membership subscriptions offering unlimited admission, merchandise discounts, program/camp discounts, and member-exclusive events. Multiple levels and payment options available.
3. Discovery School Tuition: Full-time early learning center tuition for PreK3 and PreK4 students, $400 per week, with bi-weekly, monthly, biannual, or annual payment options. Scholarships available for income-qualified families.
4. Birthday Parties and Facility Rental: Rental of museum spaces for private birthday celebrations and corporate/facility events
5. Fundraising Events: Annual signature gala Night at the Museum and other fundraising events including golf scrambles and Backyard Bash
6. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnership and sponsorship arrangements with corporations including Germain Lexus, TPI Hospitality, Publix Super Markets Charities, and others
7. Government and Foundation Grants: State of Florida appropriation ($1.5 million), Suncoast Credit Union Foundation grants ($10,000), and other philanthropic funding
8. Programs and Classes: Revenue from educational programs such as Family Yoga ($20 per child with member discounts), camps, and special programming

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CMON operates a 30,000 sq. ft. hands-on children's museum in Naples, Florida featuring interactive exhibits (Everglades exploration, banyan tree climbing, water play, weather, farming, Publix supermarket, EFC Farms, sensory-friendly experiences) developed by child psychology experts. The museum offers memberships, birthday parties, facility rentals, educational programs, camps, field trips, and community outreach, and is launching Discovery School at CMON, a play-based early learning center for PreK3 and PreK4 students opening in 2026-2027.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Discovery School at CMON: A play-based early learning center for children ages 3-5 (PreK3 and PreK4), integrated within the museum. Opening Fall 2026, offering full-day, 12-month programming with tuition of $400/week. Led by Director Jessica Campbell.

Products and services

• Museum Admission
• Annual Family Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• Access-for-All initiative enabled over 30,000 visits annually (2025), accounting for approximately 15% of total museum attendance
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Germain Lexus of NaplescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 May 2026Corporate partnership including renaming of CMON's Celebration & Education Space. Germain Lexus invested in CMON's mission to provide interactive learning experiences.
• Lee Health Golisano Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026Expanded partnership to create sensory-friendly experiences. Introduced Calm & Comfort kits with sensory-friendly tools for children with autism and sensory processing differences.
• TPI HospitalityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 October 2025Partnership with Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach and Compass Hotel Naples offering CMON members complimentary hotel stays and promotions.
• EFC FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2025Created new EFC Farms exhibit featuring aquaponics farming, beekeeping, and agricultural education. Children explore farming practices, plants, and livestock.
• U.S. SugarminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 June 2025Partnered with U.S. Sugar to bring agricultural career focus to EFC Farms exhibit, helping children learn about soil, seeds, and Florida farming.
• Publix Super Markets CharitiescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 January 2025Sponsored new Publix supermarket exhibit with bakery, deli, seafood, produce, grocery, dairy and frozen sections for play-based shopping experiences.
• United Arts CollierminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 August 2024Collaborated with Valerie's House and United Arts Collier for art installation featuring works by children who have experienced loss.
• Valerie's HouseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 August 2024Partnered with Valerie's House for art installation project giving children who have experienced loss a platform to express feelings through art.
• Owen-Ames-KimballcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction contractor for Discovery School at CMON early learning center renovation project.
• MHK ArchitecturecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitectural firm providing design services for Discovery School at CMON.
• Cost+PlusminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOwner's representative for Discovery School construction project.
• The Magic House, St. Louis Children's MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreator of Ciao Bambini traveling exhibit bringing Italian cultural experience to CMON.
• Warner Bros. Themed EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensed Scooby-DOO! Mansion Mayhem exhibit, produced by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
• Minnesota Children's MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreator of Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails traveling exhibit.
• 9 Story Media GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensed Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit, based on PBS KIDS series and Crawford Taylor Foundation sponsored.
• Association of Children's MuseumscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association representing 300+ children's museums worldwide. CMON CEO serves on Board of Directors as At-Large Member.
• Tourist Development Council of Collier CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal exhibit sponsorship for Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum exhibit.
• Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and CultureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState sponsorship for Scooby-DOO! Mansion Mayhem exhibit.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/childrensmuseumofnaples
• Instagraminstagram.com/childrensmuseumofnaples
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/childrensmuseumofnaples

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Golisano Children's Museum of Naples