YEAR IN REVIEW
The mission of MCM is to create unparalleled experiences to inspire excellence and a lifelong joy of learning.
We accomplish this mission through hands-on, engaging exhibits and programs focusing on literacy, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), and health and nutrition-the keys to helping our children mature into healthy and productive adult learners.
In 2024, MCM CELEBRATED A TRIUMPHANT YEAR
Impact
$2,669,587
Donations & Grants
$1,574,048
Operating Revenue
$386,775
Memberships
$627,757
Educational Sponsors
$255,630
Other Income
Total Revenue & Support
$5,513,797
$31,602,983
NET ASSET TOTAL
Financial figures are for Jackson and Meridian combined based on the fiscal year June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024.
MCM Jackson and Meridian
$642,218 – 9%
MANAGEMENT & GENERAL
$291,418 – 4%
FUNDRAISING
$6,541,211 – 87%
Program Services
Total EXPENSES
$7,474,847
Financial figures are for Jackson and Meridian combined based on the fiscal year June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023.
Visitors
Jackson
General Admission
172,177
Memberships
2,500
Education Program
Participants
5,259
Birthday Parties
230
Birthday Party Guests
7,438
Facility Rentals
34
Field Trip Participants
23,871
Day Camp Participants
1,061
After School Attendees
15,631
Total Visitors
212,570
Meridian
General Admission
59,893
Memberships
748
Education Program
Participants
7,041
Birthday Parties
184
Birthday Party Guests
5,613
Facility Rentals
7
Field Trip Participants
3,634
Day Camp Participants
307
After School Attendees
4,970
Total Visitors
82,397
Volunteers
Jackson
Volunteers
1,118
Volunteer Hours
7,930.46
Monetary Value Saves
$201,592.29
Meridian
Volunteers
667
Volunteer Hours
1,757.50
Monetary Value Saves
$44,675.65
MCM Partners revenue is reflected from events held between January 1-December 31, 2024.
Jackson
$220,600
Ignite the Night
$108,000
Neon Night
$100,000
A VERY MERRY NIGHT
$35,000
Jackson dues and donations
Meridian
$82,000
Merry at the Museum
$18,000
Meridian dues and donations
$25,000
Mingle at the Museum
$28,000
Love Bug Boogie
Total Revenue
$616,600
“The outside space was spectacular. So much space to run around. Inside, my 3yo loved the kitchen and the library and the water tables. We spent about 2 hours there and loved about 2 hours there and loved every minute!”
– Shannon T. (MCM-Meridian)
“We absolutely love this place! Our daughter is here almost daily and never gets bored. The staff is wonderful and the multi-sensory experience is great.”
– Roberts S. (MCM-Jackson)
“I joined the children’s museum when my oldest son, now 15, was just one. Since then, I have had two more children who grew up with the museum, filling their childhood with many fun memories. The museum is unique, with its fantastic staff, events, member perks, and creative exhibits. We are so lucky to have such a great place for our children to let their imaginations run wild.”
– Stephanie N. (MCM Member)
In the midst of MCM-Meridian’s holiday experience Winter Wonderland, the museum hosted it largest fundraiser event, Merry at the Museum. Presented by BankPlus and sponsored by Mitchell Distributing, the 2nd Annual Merry at the Museum was themed “A Pink Christmas.” Supporters from across the community arrived in their best attire to enjoy an evening of entertainment, philanthropy, and holiday cheer. Guests experienced live performances from Aa’Keela and the Beats and Meridian Ballet, a silent auction featuring local artists and businesses, and a raffle from LaBiche Jewelers. Merry at the Museum continues to raise vital funds to support the museum’s mission of inspiring children through creativity, learning, and play.
Presented by Trustmark and Atmos, the 2024 Summer exhibit at MCM-Jackson brought in 66,428 while it was here from May 11 – September 8. Visitors were drawn into the exciting world of PAW Patrol: Adventure Bay and participated in activities that encouraged teamwork and self-confidence while playing the role of a rescue hero. Children learned about believing in themselves and how a can-do attitude can empower people to take positive action. The exhibit encouraged children to help others in big and small ways to strengthen friendships, our community, and our world.
Presented by C Spire, the 9th annual Mississippi Science Festival welcomed 4,751 guests across both MCM locations, celebrating STEAM with engaging, hands-on experiences.
With innovation, discovery, and hands-on learning at every turn, the Mississippi Science Festival continues to inspire a passion for STEAM in children and families across the state.
Presented by BankPlus, on February 10, 2024, MCM Partners invited guests to join in a grand Lunar New Year celebration in Jackson, as we ushered in the “Year of the Dragon.” Guests entered the mouth of the dragon to enjoy seasonal vibrant décor along with some culinary delicacies while bidding on the silent auction and dancing the night away with some mystical, magical guests. It was a grand way to kick off the New Year!
THE SAME GARDEN WITH A NEW STORY
The Mississippi Children’s Museum at MCM-Jackson has transformed its Literacy Garden into The Enchanted Land of Story, an immersive world where storytelling comes to life. Funded in part by the Mississippi Arts Commission, this reimagined 14,000 square-foot space is inspired by Sherry Norfolk’s poem of the same name and features ten new experiences designed to spark creativity and adventure.
Gratitude Tree
A striking new addition to our holiday season, the Gratitude Tree is an 11-foot oak tree that encourages visitors to reflect on the people, places, and experiences they cherish. Guests are invited to express their gratitude by adding a personalized leaf to the tree. This season, over 450 visitors shared their messages of thankfulness.
Think Up!
A Traveling Exhibit Now installed in the World at Work gallery, Think Up! is a traveling exhibit featuring Rigamajig, a large-scale building kit designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and hands-on free play. Visitors engage with an interactive collection of wooden planks, wheels, pulleys, nuts, bolts, and rope to construct and innovate. Think Up! is currently on display and will be ready for travel this fall.
REINDEER DEPOT
A hands-on play experience where children step into the role of North Pole caretakers, learning how to feed, groom, and prepare the village reindeer for their big Christmas Eve journey.
ARCTIC ADVENTURE
A brand-new board game inside the train car, where children help Arctic animals find their way to the North Pole. This interactive addition encourages problem-solving, teamwork, and storytelling while incorporating geography!
MORE SENSORY AND INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS
From twinkling lights and immersive soundscapes to new textures and movement-based activities, every new element was designed to deepen engagement and transport visitors further into the magic of the North Pole.
The Mississippi Children’s Museum is grateful for the support of our donors who make it possible to provide enriching educational experiences and exciting events for families in Jackson and Meridian. Your contributions ensure that children in our communities have access to engaging, hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity and creativity. Thank you for making a lasting impact on the children and families we serve!
Programs – Jackson
Programs – Meridian
MCM Travels extends the magic of the Mississippi Children’s Museum beyond its walls, offering communities the chance to host our captivating traveling exhibits. Whether it’s in a school, church, or community center, MCM Travels brings hands-on learning experiences directly to your doorstep. Ignite curiosity and spark imagination in your community with MCM Travels, where education meets adventure, no matter where you are.
A few of the many communities of scholars we’ve been privileged to engage:
The Mississippi Children’s Museum is making a lasting impact on children’s education through programs designed to support students in literacy, math, and overall academic confidence. These initiatives have strengthened connections between schools, families, educators and the museum, helping public school students thrive inside and outside the classroom.
Each June, Read to Succeed provides targeted literacy intervention for Jackson Public School third graders, helping them strengthen reading comprehension and fluency before taking their state reading exam. Students engage in small-group reading sessions, interactive literacy games, and individualized instruction, all designed to boost both skills and confidence.
Beyond academic growth, parents receive tools to support reading at home, creating a lasting impact beyond the program. With the success of Read to Succeed in Jackson, MCM is expanding the program to east MS, ensuring that even more students have access to the resources they need to build strong literacy skills. This expansion will allow third graders in Meridian to receive the same structured literacy intervention, working with skilled educators to prepare for their state reading exam. The program’s growth highlights MCM’s ongoing commitment to bridging literacy gaps and providing critical support where it is needed most.
Empowering Education
In 2024, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) made a $1,170,000 commitment to the Mississippi Children’s Museum to support the expansion of our early childhood literacy initiatives over the next three years. MCM is committed to advancing early language development and literacy in children of all backgrounds across Mississippi. WKKF’s transformative investment will support two pillars of this work—the Talk from the Start campaign and Reach Out and Read—both of which center on the belief that engaging in language-rich activities from birth improves learning and language development.
Where It’s Been
Where It’s Going
DONORS
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AT WORK
The Mississippi Children’s Museum has continued to be a leader in projects that improve visitors’ experiences and increase safety measures for children and families in Jackson.
In the fall of 2023, the MCM Board of Directors in partnership with Great City MS Foundation voted to create LeFleur’s Bluff Conservancy (LBC) with a goal to ensure the best management of the shared LeFleur’s Bluff Complex and support the area’s vital connection to the community.
Right: Construction of the LeFleur’s Bluff Park joint entrance
Bottom Right: Magnolia Trail Ribbon Cutting
Below: LeFleur Museum District pedestrian bridge rendering courtesy of Wier Boerner Allin
LEADERSHIP
SUSAN GARRARD
President/CEO
SARAH SKELTON
Chief Financial Officer
Emily
HOFF
Executive Director of Mississippi Children’s Museum – Jackson
BARBARA ZELLER
Executive Director of
Mississippi Children’s Museum – Meridian
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JACKSON
Beth Hansen, Alicen Blanchard, Olivia Host, Wilson Hood, John Fletcher, Michael Cormack, Terry Dale Cruse, Margaret Cupples, Lisa Didion, Otis Gowdy, Jr., Jeffrey M. Graves, Amanda Green, Jet Hollingsworth, Maggi Lampton, Carla Lewis, Ashley Meena, Melanie Morgan, Amanda Overby, Chip Pickering, Adams Yerger, Camille Young
Ex-officio Members:
Donna Bruce, James E. Graves, Jr., Martin F. Jue, Susan Garrard
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meridian
Otis Gowdy, Jr., Patty Ann Bogue, John Anderson, Beth Clay, Amy Carter, Terry Dale Cruse, Veldore Young Graham, David Hall, Kelvin Jackson, Asif Lala, Dustin Markham, Jim McGinnis, Melanie Mitchell, Chris Phillips, Don Rogers, Wade Sims
Ex-officio Members:
Laura Carmichael, Captain Luke Davis, Colonel Cindy Smith, Barbara Zeller
#3 Children’s Museum In The Country
Thank you! We couldn’t have done it without you!
The mission of MCM is to create unparalleled experiences to inspire excellence and a lifelong joy of learning.
We accomplish this mission through hands-on, engaging exhibits and programs focusing on literacy, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), and health and nutrition–the keys to helping our children mature into healthy and productive adult learners.
