HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 2/16/2016 - Memorandum From Darin Atteberry Re: Museum Of Discovery Operating Plan1
Executive Summary
In November 2012, the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery opened its doors for the first time to visitors who
experienced the unique blending of science, history, and culture into one integrated experience that sparks
curiosity and inspires discovery mindsets.
The Museum of Tomorrow philosophy of stewardship of self, community and environment, continues to provide
a foundation for our work through the exploration of ideas that result in experiences that are richer, deeper,
and of greater service to the community than anything that has come before. Through the lens of stewardship
of our world, our health, and our culture, FCMoD exhibits explore local history in a broader regional and global
context, and incorporate science and technology to help tell community stories. FCMoD provides these
experiences through the interpretation of Science, Music and Sound, Live Animals, Natural History,
Transportation, Agriculture and Ranching.
As we complete our third full year of operations, we have experienced the exciting grand opening rush, the
second year “sophomore slump”, and a third year building institutional capacity and normalizing operations in
the museum’s four functional areas: Museum Experience, Community Connections, Resource Development and
Operations & Facilities.
We will continue with our theme of “Keeping it Fresh” throughout 2016 as we plan to open new exhibits and
host our first national traveling exhibit. These new opportunities will increase numbers of volunteers and
visitors, generate new and renewed memberships, and provide opportunities for new corporate sponsorships.
During 2015, our third full year of operations, we began to understand everyday life of FCMoD.
Accomplishments from 2015 Operating Plan include:
January 1‐ October 1 2015
We served 72,036 visitors onsite and at offsite programs around the region.
Almost 22,000 children visited the museum with their schools and over 25% percent of this audience
participated free through our Opportunity Program.
Our 3,017 members continued to be valued partners, providing $134,124 in revenue.
Over 580 family memberships have been provided to families in the Head Start program through the
Opportunity Program.
Our 145 volunteers dedicated 4,350 hours of their time.
60 people have donated artifacts to the FCMoD collections.
891 users (including walk‐in, emails, and phone calls) have taken advantage of the resources in the
museum archive.
Over 13,500 active users have made use of the collections online database through the History
Connections website.
Highlights from 2015 Operating Plan included:
The ongoing development of the Museum Advisory Group (MAG). The MAG’s focus is to raise awareness
of, and access broad community input on, the programs and services offered by the museum to ensure
our programs and services are relevant, responsive and meet the needs of diverse groups.
The installation of the Musical Glen experience, rooftop interpretation and the Pangea Globe exhibit.
The ongoing development of the Opportunity Program to provide free access for children in need and
at‐risk youth. FCMoD’s Opportunity Program provides free access to the museum experience to those
living with the challenges of poverty and those engaged with the restorative justice system.
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Most significantly, in 2015 we welcomed Donna Jared as executive director for the Non‐Profit Partner (NPP).
Donna has worked diligently to develop process and policy for the NPP’s new operating environment, in addition
to a focus on fundraising and board development. The co‐executive directors have worked closely to establish a
cohesive team coalescing around a common purpose, core values and establishing our workplace culture.
In the years ahead, the focus will continue to be on “Keeping It Fresh.” This is the era to solidify FCMoD as an
organization that is dynamic by providing new experiences unique to Northern Colorado, keeping the museum
on the forefront of cultural activities in the region. In that spirit, in 2016 we will open our Early Childhood
exhibit and premier the first national traveling exhibition in Northern Colorado, Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of
Dinosaurs (Pterosaurs).
The following document details the Operating Plan for 2016 – 2020. The plan includes revenue and expense
projections, proposed fees, and highlights the planned activities of FCMoD. As provided in the Operating
Agreement, once approved, the Executive Directors will manage FCMoD in substantial compliance with this
Operating Plan to the extent sufficient funding is available to carry out the plan. It will also be beneficial to the
City and the NPP Board of Directors in clarifying the direction of the museum and the financial requirements to
run the operations and programming.
Vision, Mission and Core Focus
The Operating Plan is based on the Vision, Mission, and Core Focus of FCMoD.
Vision
To inspire inquisitive thinkers and encourage responsible stewardship of the past, present and future.
Mission
The Museum creates meaningful opportunities for visitors of all ages to learn, reflect and have fun through
hands‐on and collection‐based explorations in science and culture.
Focus for 2016‐2020
FCMoD will apply these innovative philosophies as a means to prioritize activities and work products:
Capitalize on strategies to enhance and maintain financial stability.
Provide innovative visitor experience for diverse audiences of all ages
Leverage the Museum’s position as a community hub
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2016 Operating Plan
Keeping it Fresh: Key Initiatives
Pterosaurs, Early Childhood, Scientific and Cultural Facilities District
FCMoD abides by the Museum of Tomorrow philosophies that were established in the development of the
museum exhibit master plan. The overarching tenet is to engage our visitors and followers in a way that
promotes lifelong learning through repeat engagement that promotes a longer and deeper relationship. The
Visitor Engagement Model defining our operations and programs emboldens us to continually reach out to the
community – physically and virtually – to engage in conversations, establish partnerships, gather feedback,
explore opportunities for collaboration, and respond to the changing interests of our visitors and community.
We believe that 2015 has set the expectations of a baseline year in which we can benchmark years to come. We
have established policy and procedures in key areas which has provided a stronger foundation to enable FCMoD
to focus on sustainable growth to meet the needs of our region. Substantial opportunities for growth in 2016
include revenue generating programming including the opening of Early Childhood and our first traveling
exhibit, Pterosaurs.
FCMoD is uniquely positioned to engage our community from our littlest visitors to their adult influencers. Early
Childhood experiences in museums can have a profound and lasting effect both on children’s intellectual and
creative development and also on their likelihood of becoming lifelong museum visitors and supporters. Early
Childhood is an exhibit that is defined by audience rather than by content, and the key to understanding this
space is therefore to understand its audience. The audience is made up of three groups: children, caregivers,
and families. Since this audience is cycling through the exhibit over the course of a few years, the exhibits
themselves need not change, because the audience does.
FCMoD is excited to bring its first national traveling exhibit to the Front Range region in November 2016.
Pterosaurs, produced by the acclaimed American Museum of Natural History, highlights the discovery and
understanding of these flying reptiles that lived in the age of the dinosaur.
The Pterosaurs exhibit recently closed its debut in New York City in December 2014, and will travel to Pittsburgh
and Los Angeles before arriving in Fort Collins in November 2016. FCMoD is pleased to be the only organization
in the Rocky Mountain region that will host this blockbuster exhibit. The Museum will offer exhibit packages
including a National Geographic 360ºdigital dome feature film on pterosaurs, hosted and narrated by David
Attenborough.
FCMoD will lend an appropriate level of support to a regional effort to pursue a Scientific and Cultural Facilities
District (SCFD) for Larimer County. Like the current Denver SCFD, the success of an SCFD for Larimer County
would provide a sustainable long‐term source of revenue for the museum and other arts and culture
organizations in the area.
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Led by the Co‐Executive Directors, the FCMoD Leadership Team oversees four operational areas of the museum:
Community Connections
Operations and Facility
Museum Experience
Resource Development
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS DEPARTMENT
Community Connections facilitates dialogue and processes to put the stakeholder experience and community
involvement at the center of museum activities. We encourage ongoing and deepening interest in the museum’s
work in the community over time, as well as develop an internal, organizational understanding of our
community’s resources and audiences. Ultimately, the museum’s long‐term sustainability and successful growth
depends upon building reliable relationships with visitors, volunteers, partners, collaborators and audiences.
Community Connections strives to gather input and feedback on our programs and services so we may always
improve and respond to our stakeholders. Interconnecting our broader community through information,
inclusion and focused activities creates our strength as a community hub.
Partnerships and Collaborations
The Partnerships and Collaborations team identifies and supports alliances with local and regional groups to
enhance and augment the museum’s ability to deliver content, provide services, extend our reach, or support
visitors. Some targets for 2016 include:
Focus on partnerships aimed at inclusion and access for target audiences who are not yet fully
represented or served at the museum.
Utilize the Early Childhood and Pterosaurs exhibits to deepen our understanding of the museum’s
partnership with regional schools and colleges in offering unique educational services to the community,
recognizing our focus on learning and community stewardship, are shared priorities.
Curate partner and collaborator involvement for both public recognition and internal reference.
Visitor Experience
The Visitor Experience team provides exceptional gateway services to the museum experience, ensuring every
visitor feels welcome, has access to needed information, and our operations best serve visitors. The team also
closely collaborates with all departments to gather and convey critical information on programs, events and
services. New initiatives in 2016 include:
Observe data, trends, barriers and best practices and work to always improve the visitor experience,
particularly among new and diverse audiences anticipated with the opening of the Early Childhood and
Pterosaurs exhibits.
Monitor the museum for accessibility and affordability.
Develop The Cache museum store as a destination for unique and signature merchandise and where
stakeholders can impact the museum’s sustainability.
Volunteer Services
Volunteer Services provides exceptional support services to the museum departments and patrons, as well as
meaningful experiences and involvement for community volunteers. Volunteer Services responds to museum
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needs, initiatives and experimentation into new capacities by providing dependable and enthusiastic volunteers
who provide critical resources for sustainability. In 2016 we will:
Audit the volunteer corps for expertise, assets and in‐depth knowledge, and implement guides, docents
and information sharing from the volunteer corps’ resources to optimize Early Childhood and Pterosaurs
success.
Develop a comprehensive map of the museum’s human resource options and prepare
recommendations for long‐term, coordinated placement of volunteers, work‐study students, Senior
Employment Services, interns and other programs.
Utilize the Museum Advisory Group to convene meetings and information gathering to better equip
staff with information about visitor and audience interests, so we may respond through our programs,
resources and services.
Opportunity Program
The Opportunity Program is a fundamental and embedded part of how the museum provides greatest access to
our facility, programs and services to all, with a particular focus toward families and children experiencing
poverty. In addition to an ongoing project refining reporting and data collecting to tell the story of our unique
Opportunity Program, we will:
Continue to build relationships with school districts to focus on at‐risk youth services and programs.
Increase awareness and promotion of our unique Opportunity Program in the broader community,
museum professional associations, and among internal stakeholders.
Facilitate implementation of a community conversation among agencies who serve children and families
experiencing homelessness.
OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES DEPARTMENT
Operations and Facilities of the museum include exhibit and design, artifact collections, and facilities
maintenance. These areas are instrumental to the core services of the museum and directly impact our visitor’s
experiences via our interpretive capabilities and our active commitment to preserving the historic fabric of our
community.
The work done by these teams directly contributes to a sustainable museum where people are actively engaged
in unique experiences and is a catalyst for inspiring exploration among all our visitors.
Exhibit and Design Team
The Exhibit and Design Team creates innovative, engaging, safe, and changing visitor experiences for diverse
audiences of all ages. Activities can range from care and upkeep of the long‐term exhibits, to management of
changing exhibits in multiple areas of the museum, to providing graphic support to museum departments.
Among the many tasks assigned to the Exhibit and Design Team, the major focus activities in 2016 will be:
Planning, preparing for, installing, and managing the museum’s first blockbuster traveling exhibit,
Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs.
Planning and managing the installation of the Early Childhood Zone.
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Maintenance and refreshment, where appropriate, of long‐term galleries, including working with CSU
regarding the husbandry of live animal collection.
Providing graphic support for marketing materials, programmatic needs, and development collateral.
Collections Team
The Collections Team includes both archival and three‐dimensional collections. The team is keenly aware of the
role they play in the stewardship of our community’s history. The care, management, and provision of access to
the collections are the bedrock of our position as the primary organization in Fort Collins focused specifically on
collecting the materials that tell our community’s story. The use of collections in all aspects of the organization,
from individual research, to augmenting programming, to forming the basis for all our exhibits, actively supports
all the goals established in this operating plan.
The care of the collections, and providing world‐class customer service to researchers using the collections, are
the top priority of the department. Along with those crucial tasks several other areas of focus are identified for
2016:
Project management of the traveling exhibit.
Provide collections support to new and refreshed exhibits throughout the building, focusing on the Early
Childhood Zone.
Management of long‐range planning for the traveling exhibit program at the museum.
Create a long‐range plan to upgrade off‐site storage, including the possibility of moving the collections
to a new facility.
Provide collections support to programmatic activities and continue to expand the amount of collection
information available to the public via our on‐line database.
Facilities
Activities in the Facilities Team are designed to provide the safest, cleanest, most enjoyable experience to our
diverse audiences. Much of the work on the facility is provided by the City Parks, IT, and Operations Services
Department, but the facilities team of the museum is responsible for making sure that when issues do arise they
are resolved.
In 2016 the goals of the facilities department include:
Oversite of the daily maintenance and functionality of the museum building.
Managing the integrated pest management of the facility.
Monitoring the humidity and temperature in the building to ensure our environmental goals are met.
MUSEUM EXPERIENCE DEPARTMENT
The Museum Experience Department includes the Programs, Music, and Digital Experience teams. All
departments prioritize the development of programmatic services and products supporting the innovative
philosophies of FCMoD, as outlined in the Museum of Tomorrow document:
Providing innovative and unique programming to the community.
Encouraging repeat visitation.
Encouraging visitor participation and contribution.
Facilitating the Museum’s objective of becoming a community hub.
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These philosophies will be operationalized through a focus on:
Identifying and developing opportunities for multi‐modal visitor experiences that encourage active and
repeat engagement.
Developing processes, tools, and resources to assist in creating programs and experiences that are
relevant, engaging, and aligned with the museum’s purpose and standards of excellence.
Providing creative and strategic consultation to museum projects in order to help design visitor
experiences that reflect museum philosophies, leverage resources, and embody innovation.
Programs Team
The Programs Team addresses community needs by creating programs and services that no one else can do,
using objects and technology that no one else has. FCMoD programs are educational, informative, accurate, and
fun, as well as participatory, interactive, and interpretive. Through these dynamics, visitors have a variety of
avenues to find personal connections while experiencing a welcoming and respectful environment.
The Programs Team provides educational and interpretive services mindful of the museum’s mission, visitor
motivation, visitor engagement, community input, and diverse audience needs.
2016 strategies for the Programs Team include:
Focus on development of revenue generating programs, contributing to the financial sustainability of
FCMoD.
Continuing to build a more active relationship with Poudre School District, collaborating on new
program content and experiences with K‐12 national, state, and local curriculum standards ties.
Developing programs and experiences that tie into new and traveling exhibits, including Early Childhood
and Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs.
Music Team
The Music Team supports the Music & Sound Lab exhibits and music programming. The Music & Sound Lab
fosters a spirit of musical creativity, understanding, creation, and sharing. Visitors can discover music and sound,
and ultimately develop expression and a deeper engagement with music as a whole.
The Music Team will provide multiple entry points to music through exhibits, programming, and other
community experiences. Visitors of every level of skill – from beginner to expert – will find opportunities to
make music and share with others.
2016 strategies for the Music Team include:
Ongoing evaluation and refreshment of music exhibit components and programming.
Developing new music programming and experiences, specifically geared for reaching the youth
audience.
Continued collaborations with local music groups, individuals, and organizations to leverage the
museum’s position as a community hub.
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Digital Experience Team
The Digital Experience Team provides a range of digital media services, both internally and externally, that
support and extend the connection of visitors to the museum. This connection can range from visitor support
(content accessibility or a visit to the museum easier) to education (facilitating informal learning across diverse
audience groups). The Digital Experience team also supports museum operations including exhibits, marketing,
public relations, and fundraising.
2016 strategies for the Digital Experience Team include:
Increase public awareness and participation in the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater.
Collaborate with community organizations and groups to create new ways for visitors to engage in
fulldome experiences.
Development of new digital dome programming, including experiences that tie into new and traveling
exhibits, such as Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs.
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
The Resource Development Department at FCMoD is responsible for advancing the museum’s mission and vision
locally, regionally, and nationally through securing strategic fund and resource investments. The fundraising plan
in place seeks to maximize potential with the current resources available, and includes individual donor support,
corporate sponsorships, memberships, grants, marketing and fundraising events. The Resource Development
department supports and relies upon the success of the museum to provide the stories and substance used to
secure support and engagement from the community. The activities of the Museum Experience Department,
Operations and Facilities Department and the Community Connections Departments all play an important role in
determining the success of our fundraising efforts.
For 2016, the Resource Development Department will outline museum needs in program, general operating,
and restricted areas that will leverage the innovative experiences planned, and take advantage of the museum’s
position as a community hub. The most effective funding sources for those needs will be identified, and a careful
plan of engagement, relationship building and meaningful asks will be instituted.
Annual Giving & Memberships Team
The Annual Giving and Membership Team is focused on individual donors and members. Activities for this group
are focused on consistent messaging to increase awareness and engagement. There is considerable work done
in carefully processing and documenting gifts and memberships over the course of the year. This team also plans
the annual fundraising event, the Discovery Dash, and other special events for individual donors and members in
recognition of their support for the museum.
Highlights of major focus for 2016 for the Annual Giving and Membership Team will be:
Continuation with Founder’s Circle, major and mid‐level donor stewardship and renewal activities.
Building upon the success of the past two fundraising events to maximize potential to grow the
museum’s donor and membership base.
Utilizing planned exhibit buildout and special exhibition to recapture lapsed members and grow
membership base with new members.
Securing corporate sponsorships for the traveling exhibit.
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Develop and integrate planned giving messages that will become the foundation for a robust future
program.
Grants Team
The Grants Team is responsible for identifying appropriate funding sources to support programs, initiatives and
exhibits at the museum. A proposal pipeline is developed to track prospects, proposal development and
outcomes. Successful proposals are tracked and reported on according to the funder’s guidelines.
Specific focus for the Grants Team for 2016 will be:
Operationalize the grants process.
Identification of new funding sources related to museum operations and priorities.
Research of potential sources to support the traveling exhibit.
Stewardship of existing funders, and continued cultivation of new sources identified in 2015.
Marketing Team
The Marketing Team is responsible for building visibility and awareness of our brand and what is happening at
the museum. Careful planning and consideration are given to all of the departmental needs, to be sure to
maximize our exposure through print, radio, television, museum based and social media. Ads are placed within
the budget set for the year. The Marketing team is also responsible for coordinating museum communications
to our varied constituencies, carefully balancing the numerous messages sent out over the course of the year.
Special areas of focus for the Marketing Team for 2016 will include:
Working with a contracted marketing firm to ensure the museum’s first special exhibition is given the
attention and exposure needed to be successful.
Negotiating favorable deals with vendors to maximize our resources.
Development of a clear and cohesive communications plan.
Special Events Team
The Special Events Team at FCMoD provides oversight, coordination, and implementation of a range of high
caliber special events and regular museum facility rentals. The team supports and facilitates FCMoD rentals,
special events, and private events including: corporate meetings, parties, receptions, fundraisers, and weddings.
Special areas of focus for the Special Events Team for 2016 will include:
Planning of special events around the opening of the Early Childhood exhibit zone and Pterosaurs special
exhibit.
Develop a marketing plan to promote the museum facility as a unique and special place to host
meetings, events, parties and weddings.
Plan and support special donor and member only events to deepen our engagement with these
important constituencies.
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2016 FINANCES
2015 provided us with what we believe is a stabilizing year to benchmark and forecast our financial state in
2016. In 2015 we are seeing a leveling of attendance figures that we project will fall somewhere in between our
first and second year of operations. Our attendance does not necessarily correlate one‐to ‐one to operational
revenue. We attribute this to repeat membership usage and free admissions through our Opportunity Program
and periodic Free Day general admissions. Understanding this trend provides an opportunity to identify new
financial support for these gaps. We are using the 2015 data to forecast for 2016. The 2016 budget is contingent
on the approval of the respective governing bodies of the City and NPP.
The NPP receives revenue from general admissions, dome admission, gift shop sales, memberships, fee‐based
programs, facility rentals, grants, sponsorships, and donations. Current admission fees will remain the same for
2016. In accordance with the Operating Agreement between the City of Fort Collins and the Non‐Profit Partner,
the NPP allocates this funding first to fund staff salaries and benefits for NPP employees, then to pay for
insurance, advertising & marketing, fundraising and other operating expenses of the museum as needed, and
then on programming, exhibits, and other activities of the museum. Capital campaign funds continue to be used
to implement the exhibit master plan.
The City’s revenue sources for FCMoD include General Fund dollars as approved through the City’s 2015/2016
Budgeting for Outcomes process (see table below). The 2005 voter‐approved Building on Basics (BOB) capital tax
renewal included $200,000 of operating revenue for seven years for FCMoD. BOB funding is currently being
used to pay building operations including utilities, janitorial, communication services, insurance, maintenance
materials, mowing and snow removal, and hourly staff costs.
The table below outlines the sources and amount of funding that creates the FCMoD operating revenue budget.
REVENUE 2016
NPP City Total
Nonprofit Partner Revenue $1,121,000 $1,121,00
City Partner General Fund Revenue $805,229 $805,229
BOB Tax Revenue $200,000 $200,000
Total Revenue $1,121,000 $1,005,229 $2,126,229
% per Partner 53% 47%
EXPENSES 2016
NPP City Total
Personnel & Benefits Programs $733,871 $758,488 $1,492,359
Operations& Maintenance Admin $237,184 $193,551 $430,735
Program Support Fundraising $ 149,945 $53,190 $203,135
Total Expenses $1,121,000 $1,005,229 $2,126,229
% per Partner 53% 47%
Proposed Fees
This plan recommends that all current fee levels remain the same as 2015.(See attached 2016 Fee Schedule)
However, we will be reviewing our current fee structure in light of the on‐going additions being made to the
museum experience and the opening of Early Childhood and the debut of Pterosaurs.
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TRAVELING EXHIBIT 2016‐2017: PTEROSAURS: FLIGHT IN THE AGE OF DINOSAURS
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (FCMoD) is excited to bring its first national traveling exhibit, “Pterosaurs:
Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs,” (Pterosaurs) to the Front Range region in November 2016. Produced by the
acclaimed American Museum of Natural History, the exhibit highlights the discovery of the Pterosaur, a flying
reptile in the age of the dinosaur. The Pterosaurs exhibit features colorful, winged pre‐historic creatures along
with the work of scientists and paleontologists from around the world that have worked to discover this
fascinating creature! The exhibit includes rare fossils, life‐size casts, videos, and
interactive exhibits that will allow visitors to learn and experience firsthand how
Pterosaurs existed in a pre‐historic landscape.
The Pterosaurs exhibit recently closed its debut in New York City in December 2014,
and will travel to Pittsburgh and Los Angeles before arriving in Fort Collins in
November 2016. FCMoD is pleased to be the only organization in the Rocky
Mountain region that will host this blockbuster exhibit, scheduled to be on site for
20 weeks after its arrival through the end of March 2017, the height of the
museum's visitation season. The Museum will offer exhibit packages including a National Geographic 360ºdigital
dome feature film on pterosaurs, along with school tour packages to enhance an already vibrant experience.
As a key initiative of the 2016 FCMOD Operating Plan, planning, preparation and installation of the exhibit in the
Woodward Special Exhibition Gallery will be a priority for the organization, and a centerpiece for all museum
activities including: Operations & Facilities, Resource Development & Marketing, Museum Experience, and
Community Connections. In addition to the 2016 operating budget, the Pterosaurs project includes a financial plan
that is unique to the project and is identified below:
Projected Revenue
Corporate Sponsorships $750,000
Ticket Sales $250,000
Gift Shop TBD
Group Sales TBD
$1,000,000
Projected Expenses
Exhibit Rental & Film License $295,000
Exhibit shipping, installation, preparation, etc. $69,000
Marketing, collateral, retail sales, etc. $102,750
Volunteer, donor program & events $24,250
overhead costs: insurance, temporary staffing, etc. $40,000
project contingency $45,000
Opportunity Program Scholarship Admissions $75,000
$651,000
Projected Net Revenue $349,000
Revenue in excess of projected expenses will be used to create seed funding for future traveling
exhibits, along with reserves in operating funds.
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EARLY CHILDHOOD EXHIBIT MARCH 2016
Plans for the roll out of the Early Childhood exhibit zone are underway. The new Early Childhood exhibit will
provide experiences that foster exploration, allow children to enjoy small independences, and test their own
limits. This area offers caregivers supplemental resources and information on how to help children learn.
Additionally, this area will offer respite and amenities for caregivers such as a nursing area, stroller parking, and
comfortable seating.
FCMoD recognizes the unique roll we play in the development of individuals, and desires to accompany visitors
on their learning journey from childhood to adulthood. Research from the Growing Minds report produced by
IMLS indicates that “exposure to learning environments at a young age improves children’s ability to pose
questions, make connections, exchange information and ideas, and instill in young children not only a love of
learning, but also the skills necessary for learning.” Children of early childhood age think and learn differently
than older children or adults. They explore with their whole body and all of their senses, and are not yet ready
for abstract reasoning. FCMoD currently addresses this age group through programming in the Early Childhood
area, and is excited to build out the new Early Childhood exhibit from January 2016‐March 2016 with an opening
date set for Spring Break 2016.
Artist's rendering of Early Childhood Exhibit Zone
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Extended Operating Plan
Years 2017‐2020
SUSTAINING “KEEPING IT FRESH”
FCMoD has a responsibility to continue to grow, improve and innovate along with the community, keeping a
fresh perspective on exhibits and programs, and developing new opportunities for exploration and discovery. It
is important that FCMoD never rest on its accomplishments, rather we will continually challenge ourselves to
find the next great idea, exhibit program or experience. Long‐term plans include:
Implementing final phase of exhibit master plan.
Learn from our first traveling exhibit and plan for the next cycle of temporary and traveling exhibits.
Assess the growing needs for off‐site artifact storage and administrative space.
Continue evaluating and improving public, school and special interest programming and exhibits.
Launch an endowment campaign, with a goal of $5,000,000 by 2020.
Strengthen and grow resource development capacity.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
FCMoD reports to the NPP Board of Directors at monthly NPP Board meetings on attendance and NPP financial
status, with an emphasis on reviewing the revenue and expenses of the Museum. FCMoD reports quarterly to
the City through the Community Dashboard.
Admissions and membership are key indicators of FCMoD’s success and financial sustainability. Prior to
opening, estimates for attendance were developed based on the ERA Feasibility Study and the previous
attendance at the two former museums. The following table shows actual attendance from January through
September 2015 compared to 2014 and 2013 for the same period of time.
January‐September 2015 2014 2013
Attendance 76,674 73,175 92,522
Memberships 3,021 2,818 3,981
Volunteer hours 5,473 6,900 6,594
In measuring its on‐going performance, FCMoD will track the following performance measures:
The number of visitors.
Breakdown of memberships (New, renewal, Headstart)
Earned and contributed revenue.
Regional School District (PSD and Thompson) School groups.
The number of free admissions granted.
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FINANCIAL OUTLOOK 2017‐2020
Looking ahead through 2012, trends in visitation and costs will be identified and analyzed to accurately project
revenue and on‐going expenses. The table below projects the sources and amount of funds supporting the
future FCMoD operating budget.
REVENUE 2017 2018 2019 2020
Nonprofit Partner Revenue* $1,143,420 $1,166,288 $1,189,614 $1,213,406
City Partner Revenue ** $829,386 $854,268 $879,896 $906,293
BOB Tax Revenue
BOB Reserves $200,000 $159,345 0 0
Additional BFO Requests TBD TBD TBD
Additional income to replace
BOB TBD
$40,655 $200,000 $200,000
Total Revenue $2,172,806 $2,220,556 $2,269,510 $2,319.699
Total Expenses $2,172,806 $2,220,556 $2,269,510 $2,319,699
*Reflects a 2% increase annually (subject to annual board approval)
** Reflects a 3% increase annually (subject to biennial City Council approval)
Fundraising Needs
As we become more focused on our fundraising efforts the following priorities have been identified:
General Operating
Long term Exhibits
Restricted Programs
Traveling Exhibits
In 2018, the BOB Operations & Maintenance contribution will be fully expensed. A major focus during this time
period will be to replace the annual $200,000 BOB dollars. Possible replacement strategies include:
Review revenue projections to determine if incoming revenue can replace a portion of the funding.
This could include raising fees for admission and programming.
Explore with the City Manager and Council the possibility of City departments covering additional
costs for museum services.
Request additional City funding through the 2017‐2018 Budgeting for Outcomes competitive budget
process.
SCFD
Future Capital Needs
Maintenance and restoration as need for the cabins in the courtyard
In 2013 the museum partnership prioritized the purchase and installation of half of the museum
storage cabinets for the artifact collection. The remaining storage cabinets are planned to be
purchased in the next 2‐6 years.
Build or buy offsite artifact storage space.
Additional administrative office space.
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Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
Fee Schedule
2015 2016
Fee Name
Admission ‐ Individual Adult $9.50 $9.50
Admission ‐ Junior (ages 3‐12) $6.00 $6.00
Admission ‐ Child ‐ 2 and under Free Free
Admission ‐ Student (with ID) $7.00 $7.00
Admission ‐ Group Rate (per person) $5.00 $5.00
Admission ‐ Individual Senior $7.00 $7.00
Digital Dome Admission ‐ Members $5.00 $5.00
Digital Dome Admission ‐ Non‐Members $7.00 $7.00
Digital Dome Admission ‐ Group Rate $3.00 $3.00
Education Programs Free ‐ $250 Free ‐ $250
Explorer Passes FREE FREE
Memberships ‐ Discovery Passport (4 adults + 8 children) 1 year $120.00 $120.00
Memberships ‐ Discovery Passport (4 adults + 8 children) 2 years $225.00 $225.00
Memberships ‐ Family (2 adults + unlimited kids) 1 year $80.00 $80.00
Memberships ‐ Family (2 adults + unlimited kids) 2 years $145.00 $145.00
Memberships ‐ Grandparent (2 adults + unlimited grandkids) 1
year $65.00 $65.00
Memberships ‐Grandparent (2 adults + unlimited grandkids) 2
years $120.00 $120.00
Memberships ‐ Individual 1 year $45.00 $45.00
Memberships ‐ Individual 2 years $80.00 $80.00
Memberships ‐ Student 1 year $25.00 $25.00
Memberships ‐ Student 2 years $40.00 $40.00
Memberships – Head Start FREE FREE
Special Event Rentals (per hour) $25 ‐ $250 $25 ‐ $250
Food Service Fee (based on number of people) $60 ‐ $250 $60 ‐ $250
Outside Equipment Rental cost + 15% cost + 15%
Cleaning Fee (per hour) $25.00 $25.00
Security (per hour) $25.00 $25.00
Technical Services Labor (per hour) $18.00 $18.00