Become a Member
Become a Museum Member!
Children love the open-ended self-directed learning experiences found in every corner of the Discovery Center. And with 30,000 sq. ft. of museum space and new exhibits each year, it’s a different experience at every visit! Members get free admission for a year and discounts on parties, programs, and more. Membership fees also provide ongoing support for Discovery Center which benefits all families in our community!
If you would like to upgrade your membership, please call us at (615) 890-2300.
Corporate Sponsorship
Corporate sponsorship plays an important role in the Discovery Center’s mission to create a museum where play and learning come together. From exhibits to outreach programs, generous donations help to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and families in Middle Tennessee.
Examples of available benefits (depending on the level of giving) include:
Recognition on our website.
Recognition a monthly e-newsletter sent to 15,000+ families.
Recognition in press releases sent out to local and regional media.
Recognition in our Annual Report.
Free Museum passes, membership discounts, and volunteer opportunities for the employees of your corporation.
Employee Appreciation Day for your employees
We offer sponsorship packages at a range of levels. Packages are customized to benefit your company. If your company is interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lindsey Jennings, VP of Philanthropy.
Ways to Give
Individual SUPPORT
As a privately funded non-profit institution, Discovery Center relies on the support and generosity of people like you to provide hands-on learning experiences for Middle Tennessee families. Our funding comes 58% through admissions and special program revenue and needs 42% to come through charitable donations. Your gift today lights a spark for life-long learning – for a family struggling financially, for teachers looking for learning opportunities for their students, or for a child who needs the sensory-friendly exhibits and programs developed by Discovery Center each and every year.
Please consider joining our efforts by making a tax-deductible gift today and bring the power of play to every member of our community.
Or print our donation form and mail in your tax-deductible donation. Discovery Center’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 62-1273308.
Your gift could be worth even more if your company participates in a matching gifts program. Please check with your human resources office to see if your company participates in this program.
Discovery Guild
The Discovery Guild is a network for families, caregivers, and community leaders to connect and engage within the vision of Discovery Center.
Click here for more information on the Discovery Guild.
PLANNED GIVING
You can make a difference in the future of the Discovery Center by planning now and joining The Little Society, Discovery Center's Planned Giving Program.
Gift planning uses tax laws to enable you to pursue your philanthropic goals while minimizing your cost of giving and maximizing the benefits to yourself and your family. One of the simplest ways to support the Discovery Center is through a bequest provision in your will. Bequests can be specific or residual. Be sure to include Discovery Center’s Federal ID (62-1273308) and legal name (Children's Museum Corporation of Rutherford County).
Other options to consider include any RMD from a retirement account, charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts, as well as gifts of property or insurance. The Discovery Center strongly urges donors considering a planned gift to consult their personal advisors about tax implications. For more information, please contact Lindsey Jennings, VP of Philanthropy.
You can also complete this form to Discovery Center, 502 SE Broad Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 or email to ljennings@explorethedc.org.
Adopt an Animal
Animals Depend On People Too! Shake up your family tree and adopt a Discovery Center animal! Your donation will support animal care and facilities and helps provide a variety of educational programs for children.
Adopt an Animal: $25 (Includes certificate of adoption, animal facts sheet, and a 5×7 photo of your animal.)
Donate While You Shop
For those who are able, we ask that you consider these additional ways to support Discovery Center during this challenging time:
Make a donation to support the museum while we are closed. (Click the “DONATE NOW” button above.)
If you’re already shopping on Amazon or at your local Kroger, Target, Publix and more, these companies will give back to the museum at no cost to you.
Amazon: Shop using this link smile.amazon.com.
Kroger: Register your Kroger plus card at kroger.com/communityrewards. Our account number is PU532 and this registration must be renewed annually.
SPECIAL GIFTS
IN-KIND DONATIONS
In-kind donations offer another opportunity for individuals and businesses to make contributions of products or services that support the Discovery Center. We often need art supplies, office paper, kitten chow, gas cards, Wal-mart cards, and printing services. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk or mailed to:
Discovery Center
502 SE Broad Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
GIFTS OF STOCK
It’s simple to give a gift of stock and a great way to use your assets to benefit the Discovery Center. There are several ways to transfer stocks and securities to the museum. For more information about making a planned gift or gift of stock, please contact Lindsey Jennings, VP of Philanthropy.
Volunteer
Be part of something BIG!
Whether you are a high-school or college student, a retired senior, or a working adult with the desire to give back to your community, we have opportunities for you! Volunteers at The Discovery Center are key to what we do each and every day. They help spark curiosity and engage children and families in ways that shape their lives forever. Volunteers get to explore behind the scenes and learn what makes this place so extraordinary.
We know you have tons of volunteer opportunities to choose from around our vibrant city. So why choose us? Here are the top 5 great reasons to make the Discovery Center THE place to invest your time and talents.
Discovery Center is the ONLY place in Rutherford County where kids not only have fun, but have fun learning and developing cognitive skills with hands-on, minds-on exhibits, programs and events.
The DC has panache! It’s the winner of the 2014 Ruthies Award for Best Place to take the kids.
Be part of a dynamic and creative team. Meet other volunteers and staff with fascinating and diverse backgrounds and make lifelong friends.
It’s just plain fun! Where else can you come face to face with a ferret, tinker in a maker space, do the chicken dance at story time and spend your days exploring the beautiful wetlands trails?
Make a difference in the lives of others. . .who knows where your influence might end?
Advisory Councils
Our advisory councils are populated by community members who actively assist with specific program planning and special initiatives. Time commitments vary from person to person. If you have an interest in joining one of our Advisory Councils, please click the link below to learn more! We know your skills will fit right in.
COUNSELOR IN TRAINING (CIT)
Engage children in ways that will shape their lives forever and become a Counselor in Training (CIT). Explore the museum behind the scenes and learn what makes the Discovery Center so extraordinary! The benefits of becoming a CIT:
Flexible hours
Gain work experience in child care, education, leadership and much more
Work with professionals and learn the ins-and-outs of managing camps
A fun and exciting work environment