The Children’s Museum of Richmond’s mission is to inspire growth in all children by engaging families in learning through play. With two museum locations in Downtown Richmond and Chesterfield, CMoR serves children ages 0–8 and their caregivers across Central Virginia through hands-on exhibits, educator-led field trips, inclusive programs, early literacy resources, and community outreach.

Print and direct mail play an important role in how we welcome families, support learning, and keep our community connected to the Museum’s mission. For many children, especially young learners, printed materials provide a tangible bridge between play and understanding. Throughout the Museum, print helps families engage more deeply with exhibits by offering prompts, activity ideas, signage, and take-home resources that encourage caregivers to continue learning beyond their visit.

Printed materials are also essential to CMoR’s field trip experience. Each year, thousands of students visit the Museum through educator-led, Virginia Standards of Learning-aligned field trips focused on science, literacy, social-emotional development, creativity, and problem-solving. Last year, 42% of these visits were offered free or at reduced cost to Title I schools, Head Start, and VPI classes. Print materials help guide activities, reinforce learning concepts, and support teachers and caregivers as they connect Museum experiences to classroom goals.

CMoR also uses print to reduce financial barriers for low-income families. Through Access for All, the Museum provides scholarship memberships, single admission passes, and free or reduced-cost field trips so that all children and families can experience the Museum. Printed admission passes, program flyers, bilingual family resources, and community partner materials help ensure that families feel welcome and have the information they need to participate. The Children’s Museum’s Book Bank distributes free gift-quality books to children, educators, and community partners. Printed bookmarks and labels are needed to organize and promote this work, while also reinforcing the message that every child deserves access to books and the pride of book ownership.

Direct mail helps CMoR communicate with donors, members, and community supporters in a personal and meaningful way. Each year, the Museum mails appeals, impact reports, invitations, and acknowledgment letters that show how community support helps keep exhibits maintained, programs staffed, and access initiatives available. These printed pieces allow us to share stories of impact, report on outcomes, and invite donors to invest in a dedicated local nonprofit serving children and families across the region.

Print is also central to CMoR’s special events, such as our Pretend Again: A Grown-Up Night at the Museum fundraising gala, when we rely on printed invitations, signage, and bid cards. These materials help create a polished guest experience while also supporting the fundraising and community engagement needed to sustain CMoR’s work year-round.

A grant from Conquest Graphics would strengthen CMoR’s ability to communicate clearly, welcome families warmly, and connect children and caregivers with meaningful learning experiences. Print and direct mail are more than operational tools for the Museum. They help families find their way, help children extend their learning, help donors see the impact of their generosity, and help CMoR continue serving as a trusted early childhood resource for Central Virginia.