named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Afterschool Program
Program for children ages 5-12 offering structured activities and learning opportunities after school hours
Birthday Parties & Rentals
Facility rental options for birthday celebrations and special events in the museum or Story Garden
First Friday Art Show and Free Admission Night
Monthly event featuring children's art exhibits and free museum access, supported by sponsor New York Dental Group
Preschool and Pre-K Programs
Early childhood education programs for children ages 3-4, including Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)
Read-A-Thon
Annual virtual fundraiser where participants read children's books aloud to raise money for exhibit improvements
Summer Camps
Seasonal camp programs providing educational and recreational activities for children during summer months
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
- Engaging volunteers in museum operationsRecruits and manages volunteers aged 16 and up to support daily activities, special events, and operations in the museum and Story Garden, offering flexible scheduling and opportunities for individuals of all experience levels, including students fulfilling service hour requirements.
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Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
- Hosting family events and public programsHosts recurring and special family events such as the annual Truck Day, Read-A-Thon, summer concert series in the Story Garden, unicorn/dragon-themed crafts, animal interactions, and story times with live animals to engage children and families in interactive learning experiences.
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Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
- Hosting private events and birthday partiesHosts private gatherings and birthday parties at its Museum and Story Garden facilities, offering timed reservations in designated spaces, museum admission for guests, and optional staff support for an additional fee.
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Sensory-Inclusive Programming and Support 1 activity
- Offering inclusive access and sensory accommodationsProvides sensory accommodations such as dedicated sensory spaces, noise-canceling headphones, and calming tools for visitors with sensory sensitivities, ensuring an inclusive environment for all children and families.
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Children's Play and Motor Development Spaces 1 activity
- Operating a children's museum with interactive exhibitsOperates a 22,500 square foot children's museum featuring over 30 interactive exhibits, including more than 40 indoor and outdoor hands-on installations designed to support children's intellectual, physical, and emotional development.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Presenting children's art exhibitionsHosts art exhibits featuring creative work by children, such as the display of artwork from students at St. Anthony's Learning Center, providing public recognition and a platform for young artists.
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Play-Based Early Childhood Education 1 activity
- Providing educational programs for childrenOffers structured educational programs including a state-licensed preschool for ages 3–4, Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), after-school programming for kindergarten through 5th grade, and summer camps focused on play-based learning, hands-on projects, experiments, and social development.
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Equitable Access Admission Programs 1 activity
- Providing subsidized and free admission programsOffers reduced-cost and free admission initiatives including $3 admission for EBT cardholders, $1 discount for seniors, 50% off for ACM reciprocal members, $2 off for Bridge Connection members, discounted rates for military and veterans, free admission on Veterans Day, and free entry during monthly First Friday events and select community days.
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Before and After School Childcare 1 activity
- Supporting virtual learning with school-age childcareProvides full-day emergency drop-in and ongoing childcare for school-age children engaged in virtual learning, offering upgraded Wi-Fi, designated workspaces, and supervision from 7:30AM to 6PM.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.87M
Contributions & grants$760K41%
Program service revenue$1.01M54%
Investment income$6K0%
Other revenue$100K
expenses
Total expenses$1.48M
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$1.01M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.65M
Cash$734K
Investments$178K
Liabilities$216K
Net assets$2.43M
Liquid reserves7.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -3.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benda W Myers | Executive Dir. | 40 | $74K |
board members · 13
- Brian DeBoyace — Treasurer
- Chris Wandell — Director
- Christina Fisher — Director
- Elizabeth O'Connor — Director
- Ellen Blakeslee — Director
- Kayla Velie — President
- Lindsay Spauster — Secretary
- Madelyn Shantillo — Director
- Marci Goodwin — Vice President
- Mauren Hankin — Director
- Richard Miller III — Director
- Sally Lowenstein — Director
- Timothy Klym — Director
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- Association of Children’s Museums Network — Member organization whose best practices inform health and safety protocols at The Discovery Center.
- BAE Systems Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Wine & Roses 2026 fundraising event.
- Binghamton Zoo Partner — Part of the Bridge Connection reciprocal membership program offering discounted admission to members.
- Bookmobile Partner — Collaborates with the Bookmobile to provide children access to books during Truck Day events.
- Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation Funder — Sponsor of the Music in the Garden summer concert series event.
- Dinosaur Devoted Partner — Collaborates with Dinosaur Devoted for a special exhibit and presentation at the Frolic with Fantastic Creatures event.
- Excellus BCBS Partner — Sponsor providing support for free admission day
- Farmer Jen Partner — Collaborates to provide story time and live animal demonstration with rabbits.
- Hinman, Howard & Kattell Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Wine & Roses 2026 fundraising event.
- Kopernik Observatory Partner — Part of the Bridge Connection reciprocal membership program offering discounted admission to members.
- KultureCity Partner — Provides sensory-inclusion training for staff to support visitors with sensory sensitivities.
- Mary Kay Rolands Partner — Volunteer coordinator responsible for managing volunteer engagement.
- NBT Bank Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Wine & Roses 2026 fundraising event.
- New York Dental Group Funder — Sponsor that enables free admission to the Discovery Center during the August First Friday event.
- New York State Office of Children and Family Services Government — Licensing agency for the organization's childcare and preschool programs
- Phelps Mansion Partner — Part of the Bridge Connection reciprocal membership program offering discounted admission to members.
- Roberson Museum Partner — Part of the Bridge Connection reciprocal membership program offering discounted admission to members.
- Ross Park Zoo Partner — Co-host of free admission day event
- Ross Park Zoo Partner — Located adjacent to The Discovery Center within Ross Park, forming a shared family attraction campus.
- St. Anthony’s Learning Center Partner — Partner organization whose students' artwork is featured in the Discovery Center's art exhibit.
- Tioga State Bank Foundation Partner — Foundation sponsor of the Wine & Roses 2026 fundraising event.
- UHS Partner — Corporate sponsor of the Wine & Roses 2026 fundraising event.
- UHS Diabetes and Endocrinology Center Partner — Location for transit shuttle service during event
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community Engagement Through Arts and Eventsmethodology: arts-based community engagementBy integrating art, storytelling, and shared celebrations into programming, we strengthen community togetherness because participatory cultural experiences foster connection and belonging.
- Experiential Learning Through Interactive Engagementmethodology: experiential_learningBy immersing children in hands-on, interactive experiences—such as vehicle exploration or live animal encounters—we deepen engagement and learning because direct experience strengthens understanding and retention.
- Inclusive Environment Through Sensory Trainingmethodology: inclusive-environment trainingBy training staff to support sensory sensitivities, we create more inclusive experiences for neurodiverse individuals because trained staff can better anticipate and respond to diverse needs, improving access and comfort.
- Play-Based Learning Modelmethodology: play-based_learningBy using unstructured play and hands-on exploration in a child-centered environment, we promote learning and holistic child development because play naturally fosters cognitive, emotional, and social growth.