The primary focus of the grant writing department during my internship was on general maintenance and upkeep, nutritional education, and environmental awareness and advocacy. The remodeling of exhibits that have been damaged by a devastating encounter with Hurricane Florence in 2018, and the creation and installation of new exhibits to increase educational opportunities for our coastal community have been major focuses during the fall of 2019. As a result, the Grants Coordinator and I applied for a dozen grant applications varying in size and specification. Below are just a few examples of the grants we applied for and how each individual grant application served a different purpose.

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I focused on research, grant writing, and applying for grants to encourage children's education. I also promoted strong relationships with both regional and global organizations to obtain appropriate funding and expand programs and exhibits offered. 

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Landfall Capital Grant

The Museum emphasized general maintenance and upkeep for this grant application. We have received funding in the past from the Landfall Foundation and continue to collaborate with this local foundation.

 

Excerpt:

"Over the past several years, the main question that we have asked ourselves at the Museum has been, “How can we improve the experience of our guests?” We have determined this answer by reviewing feedback received from guests and members of the Museum, both by Google reviews and internal surveys. We believe that the best way to give our guests the optimal satisfactory experience here at the Museum is to listen and incorporate their feedback into an action plan. The most common complaints we have been receiving are in regards to the facility itself, mainly our bathrooms. It is clear that our guests will have the best experience when the facilities being utilized are clean, relatively modern, and in working order."

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Clif Bar Family Foundation

This national grant application appealed to the Museum as we are continuously looking for our next partnership. Clif Bar Family Foundation has a respectable mission statement and similar goals that align with the Museum's goals. I found enough overlap between Clif Bar Family Foundation and the Museum to reach out and apply for the first time. The focus for this grant application is on environmental awareness and advocacy. Any funding received will go directly towards the vision of a water-based, interactive exhibit focusing on sustainability and the stages of the water cycle.

 

Excerpt:

"Starting in 1991, local parents came up with the innovative idea of establishing a safe place for children to experience hands-on learning through play. Local organizations became involved in the development to see the vision carried out. Through research and collaboration, this concept became a reality, thus creating the Museum. It does not go unnoticed that our success would not be made possible without the help of parents, educators, and other community leaders who have always been involved."

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Smiles for Kids Grant

This statewide foundation, Delta Dental Foundation, has provided us with funding before for our dentist office exhibit. The Museum decided to apply for this specific grant as oral health is a major aspect of children's health and wellbeing that should be addressed throughout our envisioned nutritional exhibit.

 

Excerpt:

"We will advocate for children’s oral health through the utilization of an interactive educational exhibit. The Museum intends to concentrate on the reduction of sugar within individuals’ diets to promote overall health. Oral disease impacts 3.9 billion people worldwide, with approximately $110 billion spent annually on oral healthcare within the United States. Too often, this class of carbohydrates goes unnoticed in calories consumed in today’s society. Fermentable carbohydrates, primarily sugar, can cause dental decay and increase the risk of cavities, not to mention the likeliness of increased hunger associated with sugary foods."

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Home Depot Community Grant

Home Depot provides both local and national opportunities for nonprofits to apply for in order to receive appropriate funding by providing gift cards for materials needed. The Museum has previously applied for Home Depot's Community Grant once before a few years ago. The Museum applied for this one to receive funding for our bathroom renovations and other needed areas falling under general upkeep.

 

Excerpt:

"The Children’s Museum of Wilmington’s mission is to provide a welcoming and engaging environment that promotes hands-on art, science, and literacy-focused learning for children and families. Promoting family learning, providing value to our community, and advocating for playing with purpose are our primary goals as a local nonprofit. We provide a safe, clean, and inviting area for children and their caretakers to discover endless opportunities."

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