Association of Children's Museums Inc
The Association of Children's Museums (ACM) is a public charity based in Arlington, Virginia, that champions children's museums and supports work to enrich children's lives worldwide. It describes itself as a professional society for museums serving children and families; its membership includes more than 500 museums in 50 states and 13 countries.
Association of Children's Museums Inc at a glance
In short: Association of Children's Museums Inc gave $372K across 25 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), top state New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $371,800
- +2378.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 25
- +2400.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $14,872
- -0.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $16,150
- Total assets
- $3,315,823
- +1.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (13% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Association of Children's Museums Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 2550 S Clark Street Ste 600 600, Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: (703) 224-3100
Website: https://childrensmuseums.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Association of Children's Museums Inc
Who Association of Children's Museums Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Wow Children's Museum ($18K). Together the top 10 received $168K.
Grant Size Distribution
55 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 55 grants of 55 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ACM’s membership spans 50 U.S. states and 13 countries. Its 2025 grants went to recipients in multiple states; the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were New York (13%), California (11%), and North Carolina, Colorado, and Wisconsin (9% each).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Association of Children's Museums Inc gives
- Giving grew 396% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2024) to $416K (2020). In 2025 it made 25 grants totaling $372K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wow Children's Museum Lafayette, CO | Meowseum discovery days, simons foundation math literacy cohort participation | $18,050 |
| Discovery Place Charlotte, NC | Meowseum Participation, Simons Foundation Math Literacy Cohort Participation | $18,050 |
| Zing Zumm Children's Museum Jacksonville, NC | Simons foundation math literacy cohort participation, world wide day of play participation 2025, meowseum discovery days | $16,550 |
| Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery Capitola, CA | Simons foundation math literacy cohort participation, world wide day of play participation 2025, meowseum discovery days | $16,550 |
| Virgin Islands CM St Thomas, VI | Simons foundation math literacy cohort participation, world wide day of play participation 2025, meowseum participation | $16,550 |
| Fairbanks Children's Museum Fairbanks, AK | Mvp cohort year 3, simons foundation math literacy cohort participation | $16,550 |
| Kids Discovery Station Merced, CA | Simons foundation math literacy cohort participation, world wide day of play participation 2025, meowseum discovery days | $16,550 |
| Above & Beyond Children's Museum Sheboygan, WI | Simons foundation math literacy cohort participation, world wide day of play participation 2025, meowseum participation | $16,550 |
| Chesapeake Children's Museum Annapolis, MD | World wide day of play participation 2025, simons foundation math literacy cohort participation | $16,150 |
| North Country Children's Museum Potsdam, NY | Simons foundation math literacy cohort participation, world wide day of play participation 2025 | $16,150 |
Ready to take the next step with Association of Children's Museums Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,315,823 | $4,192,864 | $4,004,702 | $371,800 | 25 | $36,720 |
| 2024 | $3,274,997 | $3,405,379 | $3,858,376 | $15,000 | 1 | $65,304 |
| 2023 | $3,647,648 | $3,638,595 | $4,267,222 | $181,700 | 14 | $66,270 |
| 2022 | $3,672,705 | $2,891,031 | $3,100,061 | $75,000 | 5 | $39,771 |
| 2021 | $3,950,433 | $4,135,274 | $2,138,732 | $321,161 | 10 | $30,491 |
| 2020 | $2,111,892 | $822,528 | $1,898,074 | $415,655 | 10 | $27,758 |
| 2019 | $3,036,949 | $3,295,886 | $1,792,630 | $60,000 | 8 | $14,629 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
ACM’s mission is to champion children's museums and, together, enrich the lives of children worldwide. Its stated vision is a world that prioritizes children's rights to playful learning and a healthy, safe, and equitable future. Its work includes membership services, meetings and conferences, professional development, cultural understanding, advocacy, and initiatives focused on education, child development, and playful learning.
Its 2023 filing also describes connecting museums with resources and effective practices that help families navigate a globally connected world. ACM’s 2023–2028 strategic plan identifies diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion, along with environmental resiliency and regeneration, as lenses for its work.
Grantees’ own mission statements illustrate the kinds of institutions ACM supports. Discovery Place says it brings science, nature, and design together to create experiences that help its community understand, enjoy, and apply science. Fairbanks Children’s Museum says it inspires and connects families through discovery and play. North Country Children’s Museum describes itself as a cultural and educational center where families play and learn together through hands-on exhibits, workshops, programs, and local partnerships.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, ACM reported 25 grants totaling $371,800. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $18,050, with a median of $16,150. Listed purposes included participation in the Simons Foundation Math Literacy Cohort, World Wide Day of Play, Meowseum Discovery Days, and the MVP Cohort.
Among the largest grants were $18,050 to WOW Children’s Museum in Lafayette, Colorado, and $18,050 to Discovery Place in Charlotte, North Carolina. ACM also awarded $16,550 to Fairbanks Children’s Museum in Alaska, Kids Discovery Station in California, and Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery in California. Chesapeake Children’s Museum in Maryland, Children’s Museum of Green Bay in Wisconsin, and North Country Children’s Museum in New York each received $16,150.
ACM also offers recognition programs. Its Outstanding Practice Award recognizes exceptional work by children’s museums, with categories for small, medium, and large museums; the application period for 2026 is closed. The Great Friend to Kids Award honors individuals or institutions with national or international impact on strengthening children’s education and lives.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joseph Cox as president. It also lists Crystal Bowyer as secretary and advocacy chair, Putter Bert as president-elect, and Felipe Peña III as treasurer and finance chair, among other officers and directors. An ACM announcement in June 2025 identified Arthur G. Affleck III as president and CEO.
Association of Children's Museums Inc is led by Arthur Affleck, President & CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2022); 6 of 29 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Arthur Affleck
President & CEO
Executive Director → President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$164K (2022) → $216K (2025)
Joseph Cox
President
President Elect → President, 2024
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tifferney White
Governor & Nom Chair
Vice President → Governance & Nominating Chair, 2023
Governance & Nominating Chair → Governor & Nom Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dene Mosier
Strategic Iniatives Chair
Vice President → Strategic Initiatives Chair, 2023
Strategic Initiatives Chair → Strategic Iniatives Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Felpe Pena III
Treasurer & Finance Chair
Member → Treasurer & Finance Chair, 2023
On filings since 2022
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gabrielle Gallagher
Director & Communications
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$103K (2025)
Jennifer Rehkamp
Senior Director, Research & Field Svcs.
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$105K (2025)
Keni Sturgeon
Senior Director & Strategic Initiatives
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$104K (2025)
Victoria Garvin
Senior Director & Professional Development
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$105K (2025)
Stephanie Yang
Chief Operating & Financial Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$115K (2025)
Brenda Baker
Member
Member → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → Member, 2022
On filings since 2019
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joe Hastings
Past President
President → Immediate Past President, 2024
Immediate Past President → Past President, 2025
On filings since 2019
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Putter Bert
Secretary
Member → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2019
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael McHorney
Member
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Atiba Edwards
Member
On filings since 2022
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Crystal Bowyer
Vice President
Member → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2022
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Kaiser
Member
On filings since 2022
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brindha Muniappan
Member
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gretchen Kerr
Member
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hilary Van Alsburg
Member
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rongedzayi Fambasayi
Member
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen White
Member
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Payson
Member
Member From May → Member, 2025
On filings since 2024
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charlayne Murrell-Smith
Member
Member From May → Member, 2025
On filings since 2024
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly McKinley
Member
Member From May → Member, 2025
On filings since 2024
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stewart Burgess
Member
Member From May → Member, 2025
On filings since 2024
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denise Rosario Adusei
Member
New on the 2025 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Foerster
Member
New on the 2025 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maggie Lancaster
Member
New on the 2025 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Carol Tang (2019–2024) — Member
- Former: Lara Litchfield-Kimber (2019–2024) — Member
- Former: Stephanie Terry (2019–2024) — Member
- Former: Tanya Durand (2019–2024) — Past President
- Former: Adam Woodworth (2019–2022) — Member
- Former: Joanna Haas (2019–2022) — Member
- Former: Joe Cox (2019–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Leslie Bushara (2019–2022) — Member
- Former: Michael Luria (2019–2022) — Member
- Former: Michael Yankovich (2019–2022) — Past President
- Former: Larry Hoffer (2021–2022) — Interim Executive Director
- Former: Jennifer Farrington (2019–2021) — Member
- Former: Juan Carlos Novoa (2019–2021) — Member
- Former: Laura Huerta Migus (2019–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Mort Sajadian (2019–2021) — Member
- Former: Susan Garrard (2019–2021) — Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $216K, to Arthur Affleck (President & CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Association of Children's Museums Inc
How much does Association of Children's Museums Inc give each year?
Association of Children's Museums Inc gave $372K across 25 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $15K across 1 grant.
What is Association of Children's Museums Inc's typical grant size?
Association of Children's Museums Inc's median grant in 2025 was $16,150, and its average grant was $14,872, across 25 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Association of Children's Museums Inc give grants?
Association of Children's Museums Inc's top state is New York, with 13% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (11%) and North Carolina (9%).
Does Association of Children's Museums Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on Association of Children's Museums Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Simons Foundation Math Literacy Cohort Participation" (3 grants) and "Meowseum Discovery Days" (3 grants).
Who are Association of Children's Museums Inc's largest grantees?
Association of Children's Museums Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Wow Children's Museum ($18,050), Discovery Place ($18,050) and Zing Zumm Children's Museum ($16,550), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Association of Children's Museums Inc?
Association of Children's Museums Inc reported $3.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.2M.
What does Association of Children's Museums Inc fund?
ACM’s mission is to champion children's museums and, together, enrich the lives of children worldwide. Its stated vision is a world that prioritizes children's rights to playful learning and a healthy, safe, and equitable future. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Association of Children's Museums Inc?
Association of Children's Museums Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check childrensmuseums.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Association of Children's Museums Inc's EIN?
Association of Children's Museums Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4087882. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 12, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 27, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 12, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Association of Children's Museums Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/association-of-children-s-museums-inc-morg_8b95612ceb5343349b64e0ca97104500
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_954087882_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Association of Children's Museums Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/association-of-children-s-museums-inc-morg_8b95612ceb5343349b64e0ca97104500},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Association of Children's Museums Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Association of Children's Museums Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?