Kick-off to this year's NH Gives 24-hour fundraising challenge

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (CMNH) will host special evening hours on Tuesday, June 11th as a kick-off to this year’s NH Gives fundraising event. Each year non-profits across the state of New Hampshire participate in NH Gives, a powerful, statewide 24-hour fundraising event that is designed to build community and connect donors to local nonprofits, like the museum. This year, an anonymous donor will match all NH Gives donations to CMNH, up to $5500.

This is an important fundraising year for CMNH as preparations are underway for an upcoming expansion project which will open two new exhibits on the second floor. The new exhibits include a Farm-themed space dedicated to the youngest visitors, ages 0-5, similar to CMNH’s popular Primary Place, and another designed to be a creative open space for changing active play exhibits. The June 11th “NH Gives Kick-off Event: Little Farmers Sneak Peak!” at CMNH will be a family-friendly night at the Museum (hours 5-7pm), featuring a scavenger hunt, a farm-themed storytime, a farm-themed craft, special sneak peeks at new exhibit elements, and a chance to meet and offer name suggestions for a “pig” who will make her home in the new farm exhibit. 

“There is a lot that goes into the creation of new exhibits,” shares Director of Exhibits and Facilities, Eric Erwin. “Though the spaces aren’t slated to open until early 2025, we’ve been working on research, design, as well as starting to build custom exhibit elements for almost a year already.” 

“We surveyed our members and visitors for ideas for these two new spaces,” says Jane Bard, Museum President. “More space for our youngest visitors and a space that could accommodate more gross motor/physical movement elements ranked high. We hope our members and visitors that shared their thoughts will join us for NH Gives and get some of the first sneak peeks of pieces that will be showing up in the new exhibits they helped to create!”

Suggested donation for admission to this special event is $25 per family. Donations can be made through the NH Gives website beginning June 11th at 5pm, or at the door: https://www.nhgives.org/organizations/cmnh. Since this is a fundraiser, all visiting groups (including members) must show proof of donation for entry into the Museum. Visit the museum online at www.childrens-museum.org to learn more.