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Philanthropists Eugene and Virginia Kettering originally funded the
Hinsdale Health Museum in 1958. When the need to concentrate the
museum’s focus/mission on children became clear, local residents,
having taken over the museum from the Kettering’s in 1966, turned
to the Crown family for seed money to construct a then state-of-
the-art classroom building. Since 1974, revenue has come primarily
from other private sources and admission fees.
Thanks to the Center’s loyal contributor base, the Crown Center
is
able to provide programs to the local-area school districts in spite
of rising program costs. In planning for the financial needs of the
Center, the Board of Directors believes it appropriate that
approximately one-half of the money needed should come from
admission charges with the balance coming from investment
income (20%) and contributions (25%).
During the 1998-99 school year, the Center admission fee was
raised fifty cents to $3.25 per student. An increase in this charge to
cover the full program cost ($5.75 per student) would be counter-
productive given the financial stress of school districts and parents.
Earnings from restricted endowment gifts will provide $180,000
and $220,000 is projected to come from individual, corporate and
foundation gifts. Because the Center is frugally managed and
expenditures are carefully planned, general operating support gifts,
in reality, are scholarships for students to attend the Robert Crown
Center for Health Education and are also the means to insure
Crown’s value to area schools/teachers/parents.
| |
Fees |
Students |
Total Cost |
| Actual Fee/Student |
$5.75 |
165,000 |
$946,800 |
| Fee charged |
$3.25 |
165,000 |
$536,250 |
| Difference |
$2.50 |
165,000 |
$410,550 |
Without doubt a $5.75 admission fee would discourage use of the
Center by many long-time users. Recognizing the less than adequate
state of health education in many of our schools, pricing the Robert
Crown Center programs out of reach of many schools would rob
students of a critically needed experience – and, in some cases,
the only health education they receive.
For the Center’s effective delivery of its regular programs, it must
depend on the generosity of its friends. Contributions to the Robert
Crown Center for Health Education will directly affect the Center’s
impact on students.
Methods
of Giving
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