We're within shouting distance of completing the first phase of our Campaign for Habitot - we have raised $85,000 of our $100,000, end-of-February goal. Thank you donors! A rent reduction, a long-term pledge gift of $20,000, and over 100 donations from individual member families and community members have nearly replaced last year's absent foundation and corporate support.

If you haven't already given to this critical Campaign for Habitot, you gift now will still be matched dollar for dollar through the end of February! Please help us raise the remaining $15,000!

See the new video about why Habitot matters.

More than anything, the outpouring of gifts has restored our optimism that Habitot will continue to be supported by the community. But we're not out of the woods yet. Our year-round fundraising must continue for us to reach the Campaign goal of $300,000 by the end of the year.

To help Habitot reach its potential, please consider joining a volunteer fundraising committee, a special event task force, an advisory committee, or our trustee board -- or recommend someone you think would love to be involved. Please contact Gina Moreland if you'd like to know more about these volunteer opportunities (with no obligations)! habitot@lmi.net, 510-647-1111 x 11. read more

Fundraising Successes... but challenges lie ahead.

Fifty families responded to our fall fundraising campaign, and donated almost $14,000. A generous Challenge Donor matched every one of these donations, all together raising $28,000 for Habitot! A huge thank you to all of these supportive families.

Like all nonprofits, Habitot Children’s Museum is doing its very best in an extraordinarily difficult economy to maintain programs and wide access to the public. Even with audience attendance significantly higher than last year’s (over 600 visitors on the first open day of this New Year!), we have not come close to making up for the enormous loss of most of our corporate and foundation support, which has dropped 40% in just one year. Although we remain debt-free, and we’ve cut our budget by more than a third since 2007, declines in both earned and contributed revenue will result in a deficit for Habitot’s 2008 fiscal year.

Strict financial management, raising more in donations and enlarging our audience are the three components of our plan to keep Habitot going. We need you, our members, families and friends, to be a part of our long-term success. As a community organization, we rely on the community for our continued existence. Please encourage your friends to visit and become members. We welcome volunteers and board leadership to help us through this time. Join us! Volunteer

As you’ll see below, we work hard to raise funds to keep Habitot’s doors open. Gifts of any amount are welcome year-round -- and we'll gladly accept installment gifts. You can donate on-line by clicking on the Donate Now button on our homepage. To make a donation over the phone, please contact Lauren in our development department, at 510•647•1111 x 31.
Thank you!

New Site Committee Forming

The silver lining in this economy is that more commercial real estate is being offered for sale, and at more reasonable prices, than at any time in the last ten years.

Habitot’s relocation and expansion plans which have been on hold since 2007, could be resurrected with community interest and involvement. Several promising properties have been identified.

If you are interested in joining the effort to secure a larger and more accessible space for Habitot, or just to hear more about the idea with no obligations, please contact Executive Director, Gina Moreland at 510-647-1111 x 11, habitot@lmi.net.

Local Newspapers Spread the Word

About Habitot's Funding Crisis

The Contra Costa Times and all the newspapers in the ANG News Group are carrying Martin Snapp's recent article about Habitot's critical funding needs.

We believe Habitot is unique in the East Bay. If you think so too, please forward this link and help us raise needed funds. http://www.contracostatimes.com/el-cerrito/ci_13824339?source=rss

What’s at stake: enriching early experiences for children and opportunities for parent-child bonding, as well as dedicated programs for low-income families, teen parents, special needs families and many others.

Program Funding

First 5 Alameda County

Continues Funding for Parent Education Program

Habitot has just been awarded a six additional months of funding from First 5 Alameda County for our parenting education and support program. The additional funding will carry Habitot's popular and free Parent-to-Parent and Caregiver Cafés support groups, monthly TeenTime teen parent events, and "Special Times for Special Families"gatherings through the end of this year.

Susana Telles, Parenting Education Manager, reports that in the past two years, over 1,270 individual parents, caregivers and children have participated in one or more of these enriching programs, which are measurably lessening isolation, building skills around early childhood development and parenting, and fostering parent-child bonding. One caregiver said that her Habitot training had made her employer more confident in her abilities, and a teen parent declared,"Habitot helped me be more playful with my child."

For more information about our programs, or to schedule a gathering for special needs children or teen parents, please contact Susana at parented@habitot.org or 510-647-1111 x 16.

Donating Your Services

Marketing and Media Professionals

Donate Services to Help Habitot

Susan Andress of Strategic Mission Marketing andress@pacbell.net has provided pro bono services this fall to help launch the Campaign for Habitot, a vital link to securing the Museum's future.

She has also coordinated a series of high-impact ads tapping the brilliant photography skills of Barbara Ries (Picture World Hope, www.pictureworldhope.com) and marketing expertise of Partner/Creative Director Mark Edward Atkinson of Otto Design and Marketing (www.thinkotto.com).

To see the results of their work, click on Habitot's website homepage -
www.habitot.org - and be sure to refresh the site!

Auction Fundraising

"Back to School" Auction Nets $2,400

Local businesses may have been less able to make charitable contributions in this economy, but a generous forty-five of them were able to donate products or services to our September online auction which closed September 25. Items listed on our eBay site netted over $2,400 in bids. We are truly grateful to these generous businesses. See a list of these business on our enewsletter.

Consider Joining Our $10-a-Month Club

Hall of Health Closes in July

We are sorry to report that on July 21, our neighbor, the Hall of Health, closed its doors, having lost its funding. Over the years, many of our visitors have enjoyed its hands-on health exhibits, and our two museums have cooperated on several health and safety projects. Habitot will take possession of two of the Hall's exhibits, including the "Pizza Kitchen."

The economy continues to have a serious impact on the survival rate of museums. Because of dramatic declines in corporate and foundation support which once covered 40% of our expenses, contributions and volunteers from families are vital to keeping Habitot's doors open. Please consider joining Habitot's $10-a-Month Club!

Habitot would like to consider expanding into a portion of the Hall's vacated space to generate more earnings. Please contact Director, Gina Moreland at habitot@lmi.net or 510-647-1111 x 11 if you have ideas or can help.

View Past Successful Events

'Take a Seat' for Habitot Events

Take a Seat for Habitot 2003 was the first-ever Ethan Allen “Chairs That Care” event in the Bay Area. Since its inception in 1999, the “Chairs That Care” program has raised more than $350,000 for children’s charities in cities across the country. Our celebrity chair auction, 'Take a Seat' for Habitot 2004, was a huge success!

Habitot's 'Opening Doors' Fundraising Luncheon

October 2006 - Habitot's 'Opening Doors' fundraising luncheon helped us open doors -- both to children's imaginations, and to our future facility! The October 2006 event was a free, one-hour luncheon in mid-October, complete with a terrific Habitot video, captivating speakers, a hands-on activity, and a pledge drive.

home location hours-admission exhibits events classes-camps parties group-visits programs support sitemap

Special Fundraising Events

Ways You Can Help

Fundraising Event Committee

Campaign for Habitot News

Good News on the Campaign for Habitot