Children’s Museum Lands $75,000 For Permanent Home

The Children’s Museum of Spokane got a financial boost when it was presented with a $75,000 grant from the William H. Gates Foundation.

Museum officials said the money will go to current fund-raising efforts. They want to raise $500,000 to find a permanent home. So far they’ve raised 20 percent of their goal.

“I hope this grant will persuade the city that we will be a real positive addition to the community,” said museum vice president Mary Douthitt.

President Mary Brandt said she would like to see the new home on the vacant third floor of the Intermodal Facility at 221 W. First Ave. The third floor has 11,000 square feet.

The building is also Spokane’s train and bus terminal.

“To have a children’s museum on top of a working, vibrant train station would be magical,” Brandt said. “A home there would bring the family market back downtown. Half of all children’s museum visitors are adults.”

Museum officials have submitted a proposal to the city about the site. They hope to hear from the city early next month, Brandt said.

The $75,000 grant is one of many the museum secured since last fall. The foundation is run by William T. Gates, a prominent Seattle-area attorney and the father of Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

Grants also have come from Foundation Northwest, Women Helping Women, and The Carl Hansen Foundation. An unsolicited grant came from the Watson Foundation.

Brandt and Douthitt want a permanent home by the year’s end.

“It’s a tough goal, but we’re still sticking to that,” Brandt said. “I hope the grant gives some of the people looking at our lease application some confidence.”

Museum officials have offered 12 percent of their projected operating budget to the city for rent. Douthitt said most children’s museums pay just 3 to 7 percent of their profits in rent.

“Twenty-five percent of all children’s museums pay no rent or mortgage because they are such a great impact on the community,” Brandt added.

She said a temporary museum drew 10,000 people when it opened from October of last year to January at a vacant building at Spokane Falls Boulevard and Post Street.

Exhibits are currently in storage, but some of the pieces have been in small exhibits and programs throughout town.

Museum officials are working primarily from their homes. They expect to move to an office on the mezzanine level of the Seafirst Financial Center on May 1.

Douthitt cited a Carnegie Study that praised children’s museums.

“Under the age of 10 is a critical time for creating an environment for lifelong learning,” Douthitt said. “Children’s museums have the ability to provide unique, hands on and interactive type exhibits which serve as a unique backup to the school districts.

“I think that aspect has made us attractive to funders so far,” she said.

, DataTimes