Letters: The challenges facing Please Touch Museum

Peter Dobrin's story "A financially squeezed Please Touch is reaching out" (Monday) serves as a reminder that the long-term success and sustainability of the museum depends on our ability - as parents, philanthropists, and a community - to support this incredible play-based learning environment.

But first, it is important to clarify what it is we are asking our community to support. Please Touch Museum is not struggling to attract visitors and members. Quite the contrary: In its first two years, the new museum at Memorial Hall welcomed more than 1.2 million visitors. It would have taken seven years to serve that kind of audience at the old museum on 21st Street. Membership sales exploded, from 3,500 families to 17,000 families in year one before settling to 12,000 families annually.

The challenge is this: As its building and audience have grown, and while its young patrons have been introduced to newer and bigger programs, fund-raising has stalled in a difficult economy. The museum's annual budget tripled when it moved, but annual giving stayed at 21st Street levels. Finally, the museum fell short of its $88 million goal in 2008, and pledges have been scarce since the grand opening.

That is why the museum hopes to raise $30 million with its Campaign for Success and Sustainability, in order to expand its core educational curriculum, develop new programs, and take advantage of even greater opportunities to serve families with young children.

Sally Stetson

Chair, Board of Directors

Please Touch Museum