A Sponsorship Program for Businesses and Individuals to Help Educate Children
With the generous support of the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation, Discovery Park of America will soon become a world-class educational venue with exciting and entertaining experiences in nature, science, technology, history and art.
Discovery Park will enhance the education of thousands of children and adults. It will improve the quality of life for families in the region and create economic benefits through increased tourism and a more attractive business location. Its contributions in improving the lives of residents in this region and visitors will be unprecedented.
The generosity of the Kirkland Foundation and the participation of hundreds of community volunteers, have shaped an extraordinary vision for Discovery Park. In fact, this vision is so extraordinary it exceeds the funding commitments of the Kirkland Foundation. As a result, Discovery Park is seeking individuals and businesses to help improve education by supporting the creation of this extraordinary complex. Individuals and businesses are invited to participate in funding Discovery Park to allow it to achieve its full potential as a world-class educational venue.
Funding Needs
While Discovery Park will be an outstanding venue with the current level of funding from the Kirkland Foundation, there are many areas where Discovery Park can be improved with additional funding. Discovery Center’s nine galleries: Alternative Energy, Children’s Exploration, Enlightenment, Military, Native Americans, Natural History, Regional History, Science/Space and Technology, and Transportation need additional funding to expand and enhance exhibit collections and interactive experiences. For example, the Native American Gallery would like to add a holographic presentation to better explain the experiences and life of Native Americans.
Several areas on the grounds require additional funding in order to proceed with construction. A building is needed to display antique farm equipment and help capture the history of farming in this region. There is a need to construction a timber-frame building to house circa 1700’s wooden gears and grinding stones already purchased for a gristmill. Expansion of the Farm Center, Town Center and Commerce Center is also desired as well as expanding gardens and landscaped areas.
Naming Opportunities
Sponsors who contribute to the capital campaign will have their name associated with a prominent area of Discovery Park. All of Discovery Center and most of the galleries are available for sponsorship. In addition, significant elements of each gallery may be sponsored, such as the Simulation Theatre where visitors can experience a recreation of the earthquakes of 1811 and 1812 that formed Reelfoot Lake.
A contribution of $ 5 million will allow the donor to have his/her name attached to Discovery Center, the primary exhibit building and the most prominent feature of Discovery Park. A contribution of $500,000 will enable naming opportunities for the Tower, Natural History Gallery (including the entire North Atrium with the Grand Hall), Farm Center, Town Center, Commerce Center, Farm Equipment Showcase and garden areas. A contribution of $300,000 will provide naming opportunities for other galleries as well as the Simulation Theater, Starship Theater, Aquarium, Gristmill, Town Hall and Chapel. Contributions of $200,000 will enable naming of the primary classroom, roof deck, amphitheatre, covered bridge or railroad area. Contributions of $100,000 will enable the donor’s name to be associated with the Paleontology Lab, Science Lab, Toddler Area, or individual buildings in the Town Center or Farm Center. A complete list of naming/sponsorship opportunities at each contribution level follows.
Sponsor Benefits
The greatest benefit for sponsors to the Founding Circle Capital Program is enhancing the education of thousands of children and adults. Other benefits include the publicity of the business or brand name attached to the sponsored area and customized benefits such as free tickets, discounts for employees, guest passes, and marketing promotion.
For additional information, please contact Larry Snider at 423-963-0442 or lsnider@discoveryparkofamerica.com.
Additional Sponsorship Information- Payments can be in cash or pledges over 5-10 years depending on the amount and the donor’s needs.
- In-kind contributions will be accepted as well as donations of securities, tangible personal property, real estate, bequests and other types of planned gifts.
- Naming rights associated with a donation are in perpetuity or for a specified period or until a significant renovation is planned.
- Other sponsor recognition includes Donor Wall, web site and printed materials.
- Additional sponsor benefits such as employee discounts, guest tickets, facility usage and marketing promotion will be customized according to sponsor needs and interest.