Help Every Child Play!
Since 1989, Gilbert House Children’s Museum has been a vital anchor in our community, and we can’t do it without your support. Every dollar raised helps us go beyond the everyday to offer meaningful "Sneaky Education" and joyful play experiences to children and their grown-ups from all walks of life.
By donating today, you are ensuring that even more children have the opportunity to experience a safe, playful space where they are empowered to explore, invent, and create on their own terms. We offer a variety of ways for you to support our mission of inspiring children to learn through creative play. Please review our giving options below; thank you for your support in keeping curiosity flowing!
Ways to Give
Find the giving option that works best for you and makes the biggest impact
Individual Giving
Make a one-time or recurring gift to support our educational programs, exhibits, and operations. Donate online or mail a check to 116 Marion St. NE, Salem, OR 97301.
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Your tax-deductible gift supports educational opportunities for families throughout our community. Donate online or mail a check to:
Gilbert House Children's Museum
116 Marion St. NE
Salem, OR 97301Double Your Impact: Claim a Cultural Tax Credit through the Oregon Cultural Trust to amplify your contribution.
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Create steady, reliable support through automatic monthly donations. Your ongoing support provides consistent funding for museum operations, exhibit maintenance, and programs.
Join The Builders Circle
On September 23rd, we're gathering friends of Gilbert House for a free breakfast at the museum — a chance to see what we're building, meet the people behind it, and become part of what comes next.
We're launching The Builders Circle, Gilbert House's monthly giving program. Starting at just $25 a month, members of The Builders Circle fund new exhibits, upgraded experiences, and the continuous improvements that keep our museum growing alongside Salem's families.
Love Gilbert House and know others who would too? Sign up as a Table Captain — bring 4 friends to the September 23rd breakfast and host your own table.
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Celebrate a special occasion or honor the memory of a loved one by making a donation in their name. Your generous gift creates lasting impact and meaningful tribute.
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Support the museum through non-financial contributions such as goods, services, time, or expertise. We welcome:
Materials: Recyclables and craft materials for exhibits (drop at Welcome Desk)
Amazon Wish List: Purchase items for our creative spaces and science labs
Professional Services: HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, landscaping, IT, legal, accounting, design, and more
In-kind donations are valued at fair market value and recognized at the same tier levels as cash contributions.
Corporate Giving
Partner with us through annual corporate partnerships, event sponsorships, or exhibit support. Gain visibility with Salem's families while making a community impact.
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Year-round partnerships providing sustained brand visibility, employee benefits, and community recognition. Multiple tiers available based on company size.
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Provide predictable revenue through monthly contributions. Easier budgeting for your company, continuous community recognition.
Special Option: Business sustainers can sponsor specific exhibit supplies through their monthly commitment.
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Reach our highly engaged online audience with guaranteed visibility. 420,000+ annual page views, 58% email open rate:
Digital Supporter ($1,200/year): Logo on website footer
Digital Champion ($2,500/year): Website logo + quarterly newsletter features
Digital Premier ($5,000/year): Prominent website placement + monthly newsletter features + quarterly impact reports
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Place your company logo on exhibit walls for year-round visibility to 100,000+ visitors:
Logo Integration ($5,000/year): Physical exhibit signage + website exhibit page + 10 admission passes
Supply Sponsorship (via Monthly Sustainer): Fund ongoing materials and supplies for specific exhibits
Download Full Exhibit Sponsorship Guide
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Support educational programs serving thousands of children annually:
Science Time: Weekly hands-on STEM workshops
Homeschool Adventures: Monthly themed learning experiences
Make and Take Storytime: Weekly story-based programs with crafts
Options: Logo Integration ($5,000/year) and/or Annual Supply Support (via monthly sustainers)
Download Full Program Sponsorship Guide -
Gain targeted visibility at eight annual events with standardized sponsorship tiers:
Presenting Sponsor ($5,000): Top billing, speaking opportunity, premier logo placement
Premier Sponsor ($2,500): Enhanced visibility across all materials
Supporting Sponsor ($1,000): Logo on promotional materials and signage
Friend Sponsor ($500): Recognition in digital communications
2025-2026 Events: Discover the Wonder Gala (special pricing), Playground Party, Power Hour Breakfast Tour, Community Play Days, End-of-School-Year Carnival, Fall Festival, Spooky Science Night, Gingerbread Build-Off
Multi-Event Packages Available: Save by sponsoring multiple events throughout the year. Contact us 5 months before event date for maximum visibility.
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Double your impact through your company's matching gift program.
Many employers match charitable contributions made by their employees, effectively doubling or even tripling your gift to Gilbert House.
How to Take Advantage:
Check with your company's human resources department to see if they offer a gift matching program
Submit your matching gift request through your employer's designated process
Your employer will send their matching contribution directly to the Museum
Shared Commitment: Your support, when paired with your employer's, demonstrates a shared commitment to enriching lives through education and community.
Donor Clubs
Include Gilbert House in your estate plan through wills, trusts, retirement accounts, or life insurance. Create a lasting legacy for future generations.
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Recognition & Visibility
Name listed on Museum Annual Donor Wall and website
Listing in Annual Report
Updates
Annual impact summary
Invitation to Playground Party donor thank-you event
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Recognition & Visibility
Name listed on Museum Annual Donor Wall and website
Listing in Annual Report
Engagement & Access
Two (2) tickets to the annual Discover the Wonder Gala
Invitations to select donor appreciation events
Invitation to Playground Party donor thank-you event
Updates
Quarterly donor impact newsletter
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Recognition & Visibility
Name listed on Museum Annual Donor Wall and website
Listing in Annual Report
Engagement & Access
Two (2) tickets to the annual Discover the Wonder Gala
Invitations to select donor appreciation events
Updates
Annual impact summary
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Recognition & Visibility
Name listed on Museum Annual Donor Wall and website
Listing in Annual Report
Engagement & Access
Four (4) Gala tickets
Invitations to donor appreciation events
Private, guided behind-the-scenes tour
Updates
Quarterly donor impact newsletter
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Recognition & Visibility
Name or business displayed in sponsored exhibit or room for one year
Donor Wall and website recognition
Listing in Annual Report
Engagement & Access
Four (4) Gala tickets
Invitations to exclusive exhibit previews and donor receptions
Updates
Quarterly donor impact newsletter
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Recognition & Visibility
Priority listing on Donor Wall and website as exhibit underwriter
Listing in Annual Report
Engagement & Access
Six (6) Gala tickets
Invitations to all donor appreciation events
Private behind-the-scenes tours
Updates
Quarterly donor impact newsletter
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Recognition & Visibility
Premier placement on Donor Wall and website
Listing in Annual Report
Engagement & Access
Eight (8) Gala tickets
Invitations to all donor appreciation events
Invitation to a private dinner with the Executive Director and Board Members
Customization
Tailored recognition and engagement package aligned with your family’s philanthropic goals
Stocks & Securities
Gift appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds to avoid capital gains tax while receiving a full fair market value deduction for stocks held over 12 months.
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Make tax-advantaged gifts of appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds
Giving stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares can have significant tax advantages for you, as capital gains are typically not subject to income tax.
Two-Fold Tax Savings: A charitable gift of stock held for more than 12 months offers:
Avoid paying capital gains tax on the increase in value of your stock
Receive a tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock on the date of the gift
Contact the Museum for transfer instructions or check with your broker or accountant to see if a stock gift is right for you.
Gift Memberships
Give the gift of year-round play and discovery. Gift memberships provide unlimited access to hands-on learning experiences for families in your life.
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Inspire curiosity and learning by giving the gift of play! A gift membership provides unlimited, year-round access to hands-on educational fun for the children and families in your life.
Why Give a Membership:
Unique present that keeps on giving all year long
Fosters early STEAM skills and love for discovery
Creates lasting memories for families
Supports local children's education and development
Best Way to Give: Gift cards allow the recipient to choose the best membership option for their family.
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Sponsor memberships for families in need through our community programs:
Access Membership Program: Reduced-cost memberships ($70) for qualifying families. Sponsorships help underwrite the program.
Special Giving Options
Donor Advised Funds, IRA Charitable Rollovers (QCDs), matching gifts, and in-kind donations offer tax-smart ways to maximize your impact.
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Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are charitable investment accounts used to support charitable organizations like Gilbert House Children's Museum. They are one of the fastest-growing and most tax-advantageous ways to give.
Benefits of DAF Giving:
Immediate tax deduction when you contribute to your DAF
Tax-free growth of investments in your DAF
Simplified giving to multiple charities
Flexible timing of charitable distributions
Easy online recommendations to support Gilbert House
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Tax-smart giving from your IRA for donors age 70½ or older
IRA Charitable Rollover
If you are 70½ years or older, you can make a tax-free distribution directly from your IRA to Gilbert House Children's Museum.
Key Benefits:
Transfers up to $100,000 annually directly from your IRA to charity
Satisfies your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
Distribution is not included in your taxable income
Reduces your adjusted gross income
May help lower Medicare premiums and taxes on Social Security
Available even if you don't itemize deductions
How It Works: Contact your IRA administrator and request a direct transfer to Gilbert House Children's Museum (Federal Tax ID: 93-0094854). The transfer must be made directly from your IRA to the charity to qualify.
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The museum accepts donations through the PayPal Giving Fund for convenient online giving.
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Donate your redeemable Oregon cans and bottles through the BottleDrop Give program. Every bottle makes a difference in supporting our educational programs and creative play experiences.
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Support us through volunteering. Your time and expertise help us continue our vital work in the community.
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Drop off recyclables and craft materials at our Welcome Desk. We repurpose them for creative play experiences in the Gilbert Engineering Studio. Small contributions directly support educational programs.
Legacy Giving
Create lasting impact through estate planning and planned giving.
Important: For guidance on how legacy planning may impact your financial, tax, or estate situation, please consult with a qualified professional advisor.
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Designate a portion of your estate to the Museum in your will or trust. Provides estate tax charitable deduction, reduces taxes for your family, and leaves a lasting legacy.
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Transfer ownership of your property to the Museum to avoid capital gains tax and receive a charitable income tax deduction.
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Transfer cash or property to the Museum in exchange for fixed lifetime payments. Provides fixed income, charitable tax deduction, and partially tax-free payments.
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Designate the Museum as a beneficiary of your retirement account or life insurance policy. An easy way to support the Museum while simplifying planning and reducing family taxes.
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Transfer cash or assets to a trust that provides income to you for a period of time, with remaining assets going to the Museum. Avoid capital gains tax and receive immediate charitable income tax deduction.
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Fund a trust that pays income to the Museum for a number of years, with remaining assets going to your family. Provides gift or estate tax charitable deduction and reduced-cost inheritance for your family.
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Recommend a grant to Gilbert House from your donor-advised fund. This offers an immediate tax deduction, tax-free growth of your investments, and a simplified way to manage your charitable giving.
Fundraising Events
Include Gilbert House in your estate plan through wills, trusts, retirement accounts, or life insurance. Create a lasting legacy for future generations.
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Give Us an Hour, We’ll Show You the Future
Designed specifically for our busy community leaders, professionals, and change-makers, the Power Hour is a high-impact, behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of the Gilbert House. This isn’t just a tour—it’s an invitation to join our mission as a sustaining donor and play a vital role in our next chapter.
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All aboard for our biggest and most magical party of the year!
This year’s theme, The Polar Express, is an invitation to an evening of pure imagination that directly supports our mission. Join us for an inspiring night of dinner and auctions to help keep the museum vibrant and accessible for every family in our community.
Event & Ticketing Information
When: December 6, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: The Spinning Room at Willamette Heritage Center
Early Bird Tickets (Oct 5–1): $80 Individual / $60 Member
Standard Tickets (After Oct 19): $100 Individual
Table Sponsorships: $1,000
Your Seat at the Table Makes a Difference
Prepare your taste buds for a delicious dinner, your paddles for an exhilarating live auction, and your bids for a spectacular silent auction.
Why We Celebrate
This isn't just a fundraiser; it’s a chance to invest in the future of play. Your attendance directly fuels our daily operations and exhibit updates, helping us keep ticket prices low and our doors open wide for more children to explore and learn
Volunteering
Include Gilbert House in your estate plan through wills, trusts, retirement accounts, or life insurance. Create a lasting legacy for future generations.
Featured Opportunities
High-impact ways to make a difference in our community
Community Play Days
Every first Monday from September through June, we open the museum exclusively for nonprofits serving at-risk youth, children in foster care, families experiencing homelessness, and organizations supporting underserved communities. With capacity for up to 1,000 people per event, Community Play Days are our largest accessibility initiative.
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Coming 2027
10 Events Per Year: First Monday of each month, September-June
Maximum Capacity: Up to 1,000 people per event
Total Annual Impact: 10,000 underserved community members
Partner Organizations: Child Serving Non Profit Organizations, DHS, Head Start, Family Building Blocks, homeless shelters, community centers, youth programs
• Completely Free: No admission fees
Why We Need Sponsors: Each Community Play Day costs $3,000-$5,000 to operate—covering staffing, supplies, and operational costs for 1,000 visitors. Without sponsor support, we cannot sustain this critical program that serves those who need us most.
Access Membership Fund
Provide free or reduced-cost memberships to low-income families throughout Marion County. In 2025, we served 178 families—help us expand to 250+.
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Every $70 = 1 family
Field Trip Scholarships
Remove financial barriers for Title 1 schools, Head Start programs, and nonprofits. In 2025, we served 6,665 students—help us reach even more.
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• Title 1 Schools: Schools where at least 40% of students come from low-income families
• Head Start Programs: Early childhood education for children from families with low income
• Family Building Blocks: Supporting families in crisis with educational opportunities for their children
• Community Partner Organizations: Non-profits serving underserved children throughout Marion County
The Need: Many of these schools and organizations cannot afford the $14/student admission fee. Your sponsorship removes financial barriers and opens doors to learning experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
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Full Year Access $10,000
Sponsor free admission for Title 1 schools.
Impact: ~11 groups = 700+ students
• Premier recognition
• Logo on field trip materials
• Speaking opportunity at appreciation event
Multiple Groups $5,000
Fund 5-6 field trip groups for Title 1 schools or partner organizations
Impact: 325-400 students
• Name on website
• Annual report feature
• Social media recognition
Single Group $1,000
Sponsor one field trip group for a specific school or organization
Impact: ~65 students
• Name recognition
• Thank you letter from students
• Annual report listing
Regular Opportunities
Simply ways to show your support
Creative Space Recyclables
🧻 Cardboard tubes & toilet paper rolls
🥚 Egg cartons (the cardboard kind, please—no plastic ones!)
🥣 Cereal Boxes
🥤 Small plastic containers (think clean yogurt cups, etc.)
🍶 Lids of all varieties
🧵 Yarn & ribbon (non-seasonal, please!)
🪡 Fabric Scraps
💌 Cards & stickers
🖊️ Crayola Washable markers
Bottle Drop Donations
Got extra cans and bottles taking up space? Turn your regular recycling into a donation for your favorite children’s museum!
Method 1: The Blue Bag Drop
Pick up official blue BottleDrop bags from our Welcome Desk.
Fill them up with your empty cans and bottles.
Drop them off at any Oregon BottleDrop Redemption Center.
Method 2: Online Transfer Already have a BottleDrop balance? Log in at bottledropcenters.com, head to the "For Individuals" tab, choose "Donate to a Non-Profit," and select Gilbert House Children's Museum to instantly transfer your funds.
Ready to Make a Difference?
We're here to help you find the perfect way to support Gilbert House Children's Museum.
👤 Alicia Bay
Executive Director
Federal Tax ID: 93-0094854
Gilbert House Children's Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
All gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
📍 116 Marion St. NE
Salem, OR 97301