By Melissa Saye, Director, Northeast Louisiana (NELA) Children’s Museum
How a Local Children’s Museum Thrives with Support from Local Businesses
In communities across the country, children’s museums serve as vibrant, engaging spaces where minds, young and old can explore, create, and learn. Museums often provide invaluable educational opportunities for children and families, offering exhibits and programs that spark curiosity and foster lifelong learning. But for a lot of museums, their success depends heavily on local partnerships – particularly with local businesses. The Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum is no different. Here’s a look at how this NELA landmark is thriving with the support from its local community.
Building Strong Relationships with Local Businesses
The NELA Children’s Museum is a nonprofit institution, and like many such organizations, it can face challenges in securing consistent funding. While some rely on government grants, membership fees, or national sponsors, others like the NELA Children’s Museum have cultivated strong, long-term relationships with local businesses to support their operations. Support from local businesses is absolutely vital. These partnerships help us maintain our exhibits, fund educational programs, and keep our doors open to families who might otherwise not be able to experience all that we offer.
We’ve been fortunate to find support through the Drax Community Fund. Their financial commitment to our museum has allowed us to take our Earth Balloon to rural communities across Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. The Earth Balloon allows kids to step into our 16-foot globe and learn some cool facts about our continents, oceans, animals and more. For some of these kids, this hands-on learning experience wouldn’t be possible without the support of businesses like Drax.
Community Impact and Shared Values
One of the most impactful aspects of these partnerships is the discovery and cultivation of shared values between the museum and our local businesses. We’re both working to enrich the community through family support and educational opportunities. Like Drax, we have a commitment to improving access to STEM education and supporting the creation of opportunities for learning.
This shared vision is the cornerstone of our successful partnership. By working together, we’ve been able to create a positive cycle of mutual support – one where we’re able to help enrich the lives of local families.
The Power of Community Engagement
Local businesses aren’t just donors – they’re active partners in the success of our museum. The relationships built between our museum and our business partners strengthen the fabric of the community. As our museum continues to grow, these partnerships will evolve, but one thing remains clear: the local business community’s commitment to our museum’s mission is what allows it to thrive.
In the end, the collaboration between the NELA Children’s Museum and Drax isn’t just about financial support; it’s about creating a thriving, interconnected community where education, creativity, and growth are nurtured. By working together, we’re making a lasting impact on future generations – one exhibit, event, and donation at a time.
Get Involved
If you’d like to learn more about how you can help support the NELA Children’s Museum, visit our website.
