Last updated: Sept 30, 2020
New Questions
Roberson 2016 990 | Roberson 2017 990 | Roberson 2018 990
The Discovery Center Mission: The Mission of The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier is to develop the intellectual, physical and emotional well-being of the children of the Southern Tier through participatory exhibits and programs.
The Discovery Center 2016 990 | The Discovery Center 2017 990 | The Discovery Center 2018 990
The conversations are designed to examine how these loved museums can better serve the community and become more sustainable in the long-term.
Link to timeline >
The Discovery Center: COVID-19 hit The Discovery Center hard, like it did many other nonprofits and small businesses. The Discovery Center had to lay off most of its staff early on, but federal funding helped keep it moving forward and summer camp revenue, plus a great community event (our virtual Read-a-thon) brought in much needed income. So, The Discovery Center’s financial position, while not great, is also not dire now. The Museum is open, it is running our preschool, pre-k, and full-day school age care, and is in much better shape than it was a couple of months ago, but that does not mean that if COVID returns it won’t find ourselves financially challenged again.
Roberson: COVID-19 pandemic has taken an economic toll on countless industries and Roberson is no exception. Because of decades of generous community support and careful fiscal management, Roberson is better positioned than most to weather the storm. However, it’s more important than ever for people to financially support the institutions they love.
For a recommendation to the respective boards to be made, the Task Force members need to be in complete consensus and community input on that plan would be needed. That recommendation, with community input, would then be presented to both boards for a two-thirds vote to approve. If consolidation of services is to be recommended, it would require The Discovery Center to move to Roberson's downtown campus; that is the only way in which the vision of a multi-generational, sustainable, and accessible museum can become a reality. The decision about whether that should happen has not been made and won't be until a plan is presented to the community for comment.
The Discovery Center’s wonderful museum team is constantly in the process of ensuring that the Museum is in wonderful shape. Numerous upgrades have been made to ensure that it offers families a clean, safe, and fun experience. Two new exhibits recently opened, and the feedback from visitors regularly attests how well maintained the facility is.