Fueling a Movement: How Fundraising Powers the Grand Forks Children’s Museum

Fundraising isn’t just about dollars, it’s about building momentum, building relationships, and building a community with a shared vision. At the Grand Forks Children’s Museum, every gift, donation, grant, and handshake is part of a larger story: one of community-driven transformation. As we work toward our $40.8 million goal, we’re embracing a multi-pronged approach to fundraising that blends cutting-edge tools, regional research, and personal connections. It’s not just about asking, it’s about aligning values, demonstrating impact, and building trust.

One of our most powerful tools is Instrumentl, a grant prospecting and management platform that helps us identify nationwide funders whose missions align with ours. With its smart matching technology and deep database of over 400,000 funders, Instrumentl allows us to streamline the grant-seeking process, track deadlines, and tailor proposals with precision. It’s helped us uncover opportunities we might have missed or might not have considered and saved countless hours in the process.

Yet technology is only part of the equation. Between staff, the board of directors, volunteers and civic leaders, we have a strong fundraising team plus a core of grant writers. We are tapping into local knowledge, local industries and regional data. We created economic impact studies and tourism trends, to show funders how the museum will benefit the broader community. From STEAM education to workforce development to job creation and increased tourism, we’re crafting narratives that reflect heart, strategy and economics.

Perhaps most importantly, we’re leaning into personal relationships. Our fundraising team is deeply embedded in the community—connecting with donors, businesses, and civic leaders who believe in the museum’s potential. Whether it’s a heartfelt conversation over coffee or a collaborative grant proposal, these connections are a major lifeblood of our campaign.

Fundraising at the Grand Forks Children’s Museum is a team effort, powered by generosity, innovation, and shared purpose. Together, we’re not just building a museum, we’re building a legacy.

Katie Mayer, Executive Director, Grand Forks Children's Museum