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Children and families in our community urgently need your help!
A much needed expansion of the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County will benefit thousands of children! In order to break ground by the end of 2026, we need your support today!
Together with the incredible support of our community, we are 94% of the way towards raising $8M to expand the Museum. Help us close the campaign and break ground by mid-year 2026! We’re so close!
Donate now to help us build the future of children and families in Sonoma County.
Looking Back: A Testament to How Far We’ve Come
The Unlock Potential (UP!) Capital Campaign is a community-driven initiative to bring the profound power of playful learning experiences to more families throughout Sonoma County. The campaign was originally launched in 2022 with the goal of raising $15 million to expand the museum. Since the UP! campaign’s inception, we’ve been truly honored by the outpouring of support from our community.
However, in 2025, circumstances changed. Due to rising construction costs and shifts in available funding, our vision and strategy had to evolve, necessitating the splitting of the campaign into two phases. A shifting political landscape paused some key sources of public funding, further prompting us to reimagine our path forward with renewed creativity and resilience. We are excitedly working on an $8 million campaign that features a new 7,400 sf two-story building, which will more than double the size of the Museum. To see the full July 2025 campaign vision, click here.
This post serves as a look back at the progress to date. Previous campaign updates have been archived, but we’re proud to share some key milestones here as a historical record together on this important journey to improve the lives of children and families in Sonoma County and beyond.
February 2025 – UP! Capital Campaign Update
Originally published on February 7, 2025
Pledged to Date: $6.09M
Fundraising Progress:
We were honored to receive some major campaign contributions, including $300,000 from Redwood Credit Union, $200,000 from the KHR McNeely Family Foundation, and a $150,000 commitment from the Preston Family Charitable Fund.
Project Progress:
The Exhibit Master Plan was finalized, and updated renderings for indoor and outdoor exhibits were shared.
Future Exhibit Sneak Peek: Inventor’s Garage
The Inventor’s Garage maker space will inspire budding inventors, engineers, and dreamers to engage in real-world problem-solving. This space will particularly captivate children eager to delve into hands-on learning and creative exploration.
November 2024 – UP! Capital Campaign Update
Originally published on November 6, 2024
Pledged to Date: $5.6M
Fundraising Progress:
We celebrated a generous $150,000 grant from the Delong-Sweet Family Foundation, $100,000 from the William Bingham Foundation, as well as a $25,000 gift from an anonymous donor that pushed our total over the $5.6m mark!
Project Progress:
Progress continued on the Exhibit Master Plan, and early renderings of new exhibit spaces were unveiled.
Preparation for a future parking lot expansion was completed with the generous support of local contractors and the Northern California Engineers Contracting Association.
JULY 2024 – UP! Capital Campaign Update
Originally published on July 29, 2024
Pledge to Date: $5.47M
Fundraising Progress:
Campaign Chair Staci Pastis kicked off our first UP!date with an exciting announcement: Over $5M had already been raised, and we were more than a third of the way toward our original campaign goal!
Project Progress:
CMOSC signed a contract with Bisbee Architecture & Design in May 2024, and meetings with subcontractors began. In addition, work on the exhibit master plan was in progress.
Future Exhibit Sneak Peek: Delta’s Voyage
Delta’s Voyage is a portal to the breathtaking world of the ocean that nurtures connections among visitors and allows children to gain a deeper understanding of California’s marine life and its interconnectedness to the world.
Looking Ahead: A New Phase Begins
The journey ahead may look different from what we first imagined, but the heart of our mission remains unchanged: to empower every child’s future in Sonoma County.
We are so grateful for your belief in the Children’s Museum and the future we’re building together.
With your help, we hope to break ground by the end of 2026!
