Great Lakes Science Center

601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland 44114 | 216-694-2000 | greatscience.com

Great Lakes Science Center is located in downtown Cleveland on the North Coast Harbor.

WHAT WE DO: Great Lakes Science Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution, is home to the NASA Glenn Visitor Center and makes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) come alive for guests of all ages through hundreds of hands-on exhibits, temporary exhibitions, the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater, the historic Steamship William G. Mather, daily science demonstrations, seasonal camps and more. We cultivate critical thinkers in an experiential, fully immersive, multisensory learning and play environment where guests can become builders, scientists, engineers and explorers.

After 25 years, the Science Center is at a generational crossroads. We have served more than 10 million visitors, supporting families and students through school visits, afterschool programs, summer camps, and educational activities and exhibits designed to develop interest and identity in STEM. Through free admission, programming and scholarships, we provide access to those underrepresented in STEM, in order to boost their confidence and transform their futures. We inspire the future workforce by partnering with local companies and entrepreneurs to allow students to explore STEM professions and develop the skills industry leaders will look for in the leaders of tomorrow.

FUNDRAISING EVENTS:

The Design & Build Challenge provides a way for youth and corporate teams to collaborate and compete in a fun, creative environment, while also supporting the Science Center’s mission! Each team is given a design challenge and all the materials it needs to compete. Teams race against the clock — and against the other teams — to see who can design, build and then test the most successful solution to the challenge.

Great Science Gala is the Science Center’s biggest fundraiser honoring our impact and investment in Northeast Ohio. The event features the presentation of Ion Awards, delicious food stations and crafted cocktails, and hands-on and interactive STEM activities.

HOW TO HELP:

Operating support: Donations for operating support are especially important during the pandemic as the Science Center innovates ways to deliver STEM programming to the community.

Capital gifts: As Northeast Ohio’s STEM HQ, the Science Center is continually improving and upgrading exhibits and facilities today that will help form the next generation of tomorrow’s STEM leaders.

Endowment: A gift to the Science Center’s endowment will ensure that the Science Center is able to operate from a position of strength. It also enables STEM access for ALL with an emphasis on under-resourced and under-represented communities.

OVERVIEW

EMPLOYEES: 35 2021 REVENUE: $7,812,497 YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1996

SOURCES OF REVENUE:

Earned revenue: 43% Contributed revenue: 30% Government support: 27%

LEADERSHIP

TOP EXECUTIVES & BOARD MEMBERS

Kirsten M. Ellenbogen,

president and chief executive officer

Steven A. Karklin,

board chair (CDK Enterprises Investment Holdings)

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Amy Pausche, vice president of development Amanda Taunt, vice president of operations Scott Vollmer, vice president of STEM education and exhibits

EXECUTIVE BOARD COMMITTEE

Katinka Domotoffy, vice chair (Independent Investment Management Professional) Susan Flaherty, treasurer (Ernst & Young) Adam Munson, secretary (Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.) Jennifer Mathewson, development chair (PPG) David Mustin, marketing chair (Marcum Technology) Stanley Ball, governance chair (Eaton)