High Fives for the Future: A Grassroots Movement to Build Something Extraordinary

The Grand Forks Children’s Museum began with a bold idea and a shared belief: that every child deserves a space to imagine, explore, and thrive. Now, with $13.6 million left to raise toward our $40.8 million goal, we’re calling on our greatest asset…our community.

Imagine a place where every child - in our Grand Forks and East Grand Forks region- can ignite their curiosity, explore hands-on STEAM concepts, and feel a sense of belonging. That’s the future we’re building together through the Grand Forks Children’s Museum—and we need you to help us get there.

We’ve already made incredible progress thanks to donors, volunteers, kids with piggy banks, and partners who believe in what this museum represents. But with $13.6 million left to raise toward our $40.8 million goal, it’s time for a new wave of support—led by you and your closest circle.

What is High Fives for the Future?

It’s a community-powered campaign with two simple asks:

1. Pledge to donate what you can each month over five years.

2. Invite five friends to do the same.

Whether it’s hosting a backyard BBQ, organizing a coffee catch-up, or simply sharing the campaign link in a text or social media thread, every gesture grows the network. Each “high five” doesn’t just raise dollars—it raises awareness, deepens connection, and signals to our community that this museum is a shared vision worth investing in.

Why It Matters

This children’s museum isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about:

• Mental health: sensory-friendly spaces and joyful learning experiences designed with input from local families and experts.

• STEAM education: future-focused, hands-on exhibits that spark interest in science, tech, engineering, art, and math.

• Regional pride: a destination that tells the story of our people, land, and heritage—with opportunities for tourism and economic development.

• Job creation: Across the nation, children’s museums support over 57,000 jobs, with nearly half of those in sectors like retail, hospitality, and healthcare – all outside the museum walls. Every dollar spent by a museum, ripples through the local economy, supporting vendors, contractors, hotels, restaurants and service providers.

• Tourism impact: Museums are cultural anchors that attract visitors, boost local spending, and enhance regional visibility. With Grand Forks poised to become a STEAM destination, the Children’s Museum will draw families from across the region.

This museum is more than a place to play—it’s a catalyst for community vitality, economic resilience, and lifelong learning. And it’s personal… for parents who want inclusive spaces for their kids… for educators who crave immersive experiences outside the classroom… for donors who believe that bold ideas shape brighter futures.

The 2025 Groundbreaking Is Within Reach

If every person who reads this blog joins the High Fives for the Future effort—donates what they can and invites five more—we’ll break ground in 2025 with confidence and momentum. That means doors opening to creativity, connection, and lifelong learning across our region.

Give what you can. Share the story. Raise your hand—because every high five moves us closer to something extraordinary.

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