Welcome

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh experienced a tough but rewarding fiscal year 2008-09.  Faced with the same economic pressures as everyone else in the country, we executed a $1 million contingency plan to help us weather the storm.  It was not easy - we cut every cost we could, eliminated staff positions, cut raises, created new ways to fundraise, brought some services in-house, even taking on landscaping tasks as a team building exercise.  We were determined to trim our budget without impacting the visitor experience.

But there was promising news - the Children's Museum ended the year with record-breaking admissions in the fourth quarter and earned revenues that exceeded even our original budget goals. Our friends in the foundation community went above and beyond in their support of the Museum. The staff worked harder than ever, taking on new responsibilities, working more efficiently and finding economical ways to continue to creatively inspire, amuse and educate children and families. The Board provided invaluable counsel on weathering this economic climate and also increased its support of the Museum.

It is the stories of the Museum's Board, supporters and staff that make up the blogs you will read as part of this annual report, as they are the people best equipped to tell what occurred at the Museum over this past year.  Children know instinctively that there is nothing better than a good story, and we hope you agree. 

With this past fiscal year behind us, we see that its adversity made us a stronger organization.  We hope you continue to visit the Museum for afternoons of joy and discovery, and support our work in the new year.  Let's all look forward to continued growth and a bright future.

Sincerely,

Tom Mole
President, Board of Directors