A New Home for a Vital Institution
Services
- Communications Strategy
- Campaign Name
- Campaign Messaging
- Campaign Case Statement
- Fundraising Communications
Founded in 1973, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) has emerged as a cornerstone in the cultural and early learning landscape of New York City.
CMOM is widely celebrated for its immersive programming and community outreach programs that nurture young minds and engage diverse families from across New York City. The museum has received national attention for initiatives such as a partnership with Rikers Island that enables incarcerated mothers to spend time at CMOM playing with their young children.
After 50 years of community service and success, CMOM made the strategic decision to invest in a new, expanded home that would provide the space, infrastructure, and facilities needed to support both its dynamic programming and the evolving needs of New York City families and visitors. Libretto worked with the museum to develop strategic communications in support of a $300 million campaign that would transform a former church at the corner of 96 Street and Central Park West into the new CMOM, while also allowing for the expansion of the organization’s endowment and operating reserves.
Our work began with the creation of a theme—96 & Wow—that reflected both CMOM’s new location and the sense of wonder that the new building will continue to inspire in children. We also worked with the CMOM team to develop a campaign messaging platform that provides the framework for donor-facing communications in support of the initiative, and a colorful case statement created with our partners at Kuhlman Leavitt, Inc.
The new museum will span seven floors of innovative exhibitions and interactive spaces, giving children from all backgrounds the opportunity to experience moments of “wow.” Sparked by a generous lead gift from New York philanthropist and long-time CMOM supporter Laurie Tisch, CMOM will continue to be a place where generations of kids are joyfully immersed in activities that teach agency, foster connections, and celebrate play as a critical tool for learning.
