Sandbox A Hilton Head Area Children Museum Inc
General Information
Contact Information
Nonprofit
Sandbox A Hilton Head Area Children Museum Inc
Address
18 POPE AVE STE A
HILTON HEAD
Phone
(843) 842-7645
Web Site
Web Site
Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Twitter
, SC 29928 4791
At A Glance
Year of Incorporation
2003
Organization's type of tax exempt status
Public Supported Charity
1
Statements & Search Criteria
Mission
The Sandbox: An Interactive Children's Museum is a non-profit children's museum dedicated to the positive
development of young children through play.
Background
The Sandbox Children's Museum is the brainchild of a group of Lowcountry moms who saw a great need for a
community educational play space for preschool and early elementary children. After conducting focus groups in
early 2003, their information feasibility study confirmed the need for such a place and concluded that it would be
well supported by the community. They researched other similar demographic areas and discovered that
opening a nonprofit interactive children's museum was the perfect way to meet this need. After gathering
support from community and business leaders, as well as educators, they formed a Board of Directors and
received their nonprofit status in December of 2003. The Board of Directors spent most of 2004 building a
development plan, business plan and strategic plan and in the fall embarked on a capital campaign to raise
$255,000 to open their doors. After securing their initial funds and a desirable location, they began a building
renovation project in the spring of 2005. By the fall of 2005, they reached their capital campaign goal and began
their play center design and development. The Sandbox formally opened its doors on December 6, 2005 and
eager to serve the families of our community.
The Sandbox has continued to grow and expand since its opening. The Museum offers educational
programming such as Imagination Hour where children hear a fascinating story followed by a corresponding
craft sparking their imagination. The Sandbox works towards kindergarten readiness through its Countdown to
Kindergarten as well as its DIG – Discovery Imagine Grow program. DIG is an outreach program targeting at
risk children who may need additional support in preparing for the school experience. Countdown to
Kindergarten provides students and parents an opportunity to prepare for that first day of class – including
practicing the bus ride. Our exhibits continue to challenge the young minds through new technology. The
airplane currently flies to the moon and the Sandbox recently added a Race Track where visitors can build their
own race car and speed down the track in record time. The Sandbox continues to challenge the imaginations of
both children and adults through play.
Since it
2
Impact
Expanded Discover Imagine and Grow - DIG - we provided the necessary outreach to prepare the children for
kindergarten. The program is offered at the Hilton Head Library and the Bluffton Library and the classes are full
each week.
Endowment Fund - we have started our endowment fund. The Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is
helping us with the fund and our investment strategy. Our fund will ensure that children learn through play for
years to come.
MOU with the Town of Hilton Head - we signed a formal MOU with the Town of Hilton Head for our new facility
at Coligny Beach Park. Our new museum with have 4000 square feet of indoor play space and 1500 outdoor
play space and a new feature exhibit.
The Sandbox goals for this upcoming year are quite challenging Executive Director - our growth has led us to a place where we are in need of an additional full time staff person
to take on the role of Executive Director.
Securing an exhibit sponsor for our new race track exhibit.
Planning for our new facility. Currently we are working with the Town of Hilton Head Island on the Coligny
Redevelopment Project and the building of a new museum. The Sandbox will need to secure the new layout
for our exhibits as well as determine the appropriate new exhibits as we expand our education outreach to age
12.
Needs
Exhibit Sponsors - the Sandbox would like to secure a Title Sponsor for the new exhibits in the amount of
$10,000 each. The Race Track
Funding for the New Museum - per our MOU, the Sandbox needs to raise a minimum of $150,000 to up fit the
new facility in Coligny. Our goal is to raise $250,000.
Board Members - we currently have spaces available on our Board of Directors and need individuals who
support our mission and are willing serve on a working Board of Directors.
3
CEO/Executive Director Statement
I have been working at The Sandbox Children’s Museum for a little over 6 years now. Little did I know then
what an impact taking this job would have on my life both personally and professionally. I oversee the day to
day operation of the museum and also plan and execute all the fun events we host for the community. Since
the beginning (2005), the mission has always been to provide a fun, caring and educational playplace for all the
children and families that visit. Over the summer months, we see lots of visitors but also see a lot of locals and
members. A few years ago, we wanted to focus some more on our local community and offer programs that
would benefit our local children. We conducted a community assessment with local, youth oriented
organizations and found that over 50% of our local children were not ready for kindergarten. About the same
time, we joined a statewide collaborative with Edventure Children’s in Columbia. Through that initial partnership
we developed a school readiness program, Discover.Imagine. Grow. (D.I.G.) that we started in the museum on
Tuesdays for an hour during the school year. Shortly after that we were awarded a grant through the
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry to partner with Neighborhood Outreach Connection and bring our
program into the community, specifically, The Oaks Apartments. Our curriculum, designed by our Education
Program Coordinator, is intended to parallel the South Carolina Early Learning Standards set forth for the
Department of Education. We also partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Hilton Head as well as the Island
Recreation Center with the same program to broaden our reach.
I have personally seen the positive effect our program has had on the children we have reached. Excitement,
enthusiasm, curiosity are just a few of the words that come to mind when I try to explain the impact The
Sandbox and our programs have had on the children that have opportunity to play and learn
Board Chair Statement
I love to play! Therefore it is an absolute joy to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Sandbox. The
Board of Directors is comprised of a talented group of individuals committed to the mission of the Sandbox.
Each Board Member brings a special skill set needed to benefit the organization and cheerfully contributes.
Our challenges are many as our organization continues to grow and expand. One of our biggest challenges is to
keep our museum new and exciting for our repeat visitors. We continue to add new features and were granted
funding this year for two new exhibits. We recently added our new Race Track in our Transportation Zone. Our
visitors can use mix and match car pieces to build his/her unique race car and then race it down the track in
record time. The next exhibit to be added will be a Grocery Store complete with check out scanner and health
information kiosk. Play is such an important part of the educational process and the Sandbox has amazing
resources to offer to promote such process. We continue to work on our outreach in the community sharing our
resources and expanding our recipients. We also continue work on our community support efforts promoting our
benefits to the local Hilton Head Island community.
It is truly a joy to hear the laughter of children and parents together as they learn side by side in our museum. I
love to hear the shouts of ARRRGGG coming from the pirate ship – I can hear the echo of William Hilton
himself. I am always fascinated by what the dry erase board says at the end of the day – who was there, who
loves who and what family loves Hilton Head. I would like to say I never tire of the sounds of the train on the
tracks – but oh that does ring in the ears! I am amazed by what little minds can create with a few bright sticks of
color in our over sized light bright and my imagination is always peaked by the creations in our art room. I do
believe that the learning taking place in our museum is always joyous! Smiles abound as little minds work.
Come play with us!
Areas Of Service
Areas Served
Areas
Beaufort County
4
The Sandbox is located on Hilton Head Island but has international impact. Visitors from around the world visit
our beautiful island and enjoy learning through play at the Sandbox. We continue our outreach to the Bluffton,
Beaufort and Savannah communities locally.
Service Categories
Primary Organization Type
Arts,Culture & Humanities
5
Programs
Programs
Discover Imagine Grow - DIG
Description
The Discover. Imagine. Grow. (D.I.G) Outreach Program is a weekly
early learning series aimed at children aged 3-5 years old, that promotes
the development of language and literacy, reading and writing, math and
science, and social, emotional,and physical well-being through engaged
learning. As part of the The Sandbox’s Community Early Learning
Initiative (SCELI),the Discover. Imagine. Grow. (D.I.G) Outreach Program
will encourage and guide young children to develop the foundation skills
needed for their success in learning and in life through the guise of play
and hands-on exploration.
Budget
40000
Short-Term Success
: Reaching children via community outreach at Neighborhood Outreach
Connection/Boys and Girls Club that would not otherwise have the
opportunity to have some preschool structure in preparing to enter
st
kindergarten (or 1 grade at Boys/Girls Club)
Long-Term Success
Reaching/impacting these children at the age of 3-5 years to be on or
th
above grade level by 4 grade
Imagination Hour
Description
The Sandbox selects a unique book to share with the participants followed
by a craft that relates to the book - encouraging hands learning of the
books lesson.
Budget
15000
Short-Term Success
Continuance of reading and using the imagination in an “educational play”
environment and using motor and sensory skills to complete a craft
related to the story
Long-Term Success
Validating the importance of everyday reading to help our children achieve
grade level reading at the appropriate age
Leap Into Learning
Description
Check out the Investigation Station in our Learner’s Loft, where you and
your child can explore self-guided activities that are educationally rich and
fun-filled! Each weekly activity has been chosen to highlight key skills and
concepts blended with play. They are planned to accommodate a wide
range of ages and abilities and can easily be adapted or extended. Be it
for 5 minutes or 15, the most important thing is for you and your child to
leap into learning together!
Budget
10000
Short-Term Success
Utilizing everyday “play” items already in the museum and relating its
intended purpose to everyday learning
Long-Term Success
Instill a sense of lifelong learning while playing by presenting situational
opportunities to play AND learn
6
Family Fun Night
Description
Family Fun Night is held the first Friday of the month- September through
May. The museum celebrates the weekend by providing free admission
for educational learning, a fun bounce house for some movement and a
picnic dinner to enjoy.
Budget
10000
Short-Term Success
Opportunity for working parents and parents that might not otherwise be
able to afford a visit to the museum to engage with their
children/grandchildren free of charge
Long-Term Success
Keeping interactivity and togetherness in the forefront of our community
parents and fill the role of a needed resource to encourage parent
involvement and engagement during the formidable and impressionable
years of a young child’s life
7
Board & Governance
Board Chair
Board Chair
Keri Olivetti
Company Affiliation
University of South Carolina Beaufort
Term
Jan 2012 to Dec 2017
Board Members
Name
Affiliation
Status
Dru Brown
The Vacation Company
Voting
Erin Carmines
Hudson's Seafood on the Docks
Voting
Jennie Cerrati
McNair Law Firm
Voting
Susie Dolan
Esposito Construction
Voting
Jim Gant
Community Volunteer
Voting
Lenore Gleason
Community Volunteer
Voting
Brian Kinard
Schembra Real Estate Group, Inc. Voting
Lynn King
Tide Point, A Vi Community
Voting
Keri Olivetti
University of South Carolina
Beaufort
Voting
Jason Stevens
TD Bank
Voting
Mandy Walters
All Saints Preschool
Voting
Board Demographics - Ethnicity
African American/Black
0
Asian American/Pacific Islander
0
Caucasian
11
Hispanic/Latino
0
Native American/American Indian
0
Board Demographics - Gender
Male
4
Female
7
Unspecified
0
Governance
Board Term Lengths
0
Board Term Limits
0
Board Meeting Attendance %
0%
Written Conflict of Interest Policy?
No
8
Percentage Making Monetary Contributions
100%
Percentage Making In-Kind Contributions
0%
Number of Full Board Meetings Annually
11
9
Management
Executive Director/CEO
Executive Director/CEO
Caroline Rinehart
Term Start
Mar 2009
Email
[email protected]
Experience
Ms. Rinehart’s energy level matches those of children who visit our museum! She has amazing organizational
skills- keeping several projects on task at one time. Her communication and human relations skills create a
family like environment for the Sandbox’s employees and volunteers. Ms. Rinehart worked in the hospitality
industry for ten years prior to coming to the Sandbox- bringing with her the attributes one would need to manage
the needs of the children’s museum. She manages not only the day to day activities at the museum – she also
maintains the business side as well. She thrives on taking on new challenges including grant writing. After
attending grant writing workshops, Ms. Rinehart has perfected her grant writing skills adding new financial
resources for the museum. The Sandbox is a better museum due to the leadership of Ms. Rinehart.
Staff
Full Time Staff
1
Part Time Staff
10
Volunteers
5
Contractors
0
Plans
Organization has a Fundraising Plan?
No
Organization has a Strategic Plan?
Yes
Nondiscrimination Policy
Whistleblower Policy
No
Document Destruction Policy
No
Directors and Officers Insurance Policy
Yes
Diversity Policy
Under Development
10
Financials
Fiscal Year
Jan
Fiscal Year
2017
Projected Revenue
$238,000.00
Projected Expenses
$238,000.00
Endowment Value
$50,000.00
Spending Policy
Income Only
Percentage (if selected)
0%
Top Funding Sources
Fiscal Year
Top Funding Source & Dollar Amount
Second Highest Funding Source & Dollar
Amount
Third Highest Funding Source & Dollar
Amount
2016
---
2015
---
2014
---
--
--
--
2016
$330,095
$284,170
2015
$337,957
$296,994
2014
$237,731
$279,020
Form 990s
990
Form 990
Form 990
Form 990
Form 990
Form 990
Form 990
Form 990
Detailed Financials
Revenue and Expenses
Fiscal Year
Total Revenue
Total Expenses
Revenue Sources
11
Fiscal Year
Foundation and Corporation
Contributions
Government Contributions
Federal
State
Local
Unspecified
Individual Contributions
Indirect Public Support
Earned Revenue
Investment Income, Net of Losses
Membership Dues
Special Events
Revenue In-Kind
Other
Expense Allocation
Fiscal Year
Program Expense
Administration Expense
Fundraising Expense
Payments to Affiliates
Total Revenue/Total Expenses
Program Expense/Total Expenses
Fundraising Expense/Contributed
Revenue
Assets and Liabilities
Fiscal Year
Total Assets
Current Assets
Long-Term Liabilities
Current Liabilities
Total Net Assets
Short Term Solvency
Fiscal Year
Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current
Liabilities
Long Term Solvency
Fiscal Year
Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets
2016
--
2015
--
2014
$52,649
$0
-------------
$0
-------------
$51,578
---$51,578
-$0
$124,077
$68
$0
$0
$0
$0
2016
----1.16
0%
--
2015
----1.14
0%
--
2014
$258,241
$20,779
$0
-0.85
93%
0%
2016
------
2015
------
2014
$75,437
$40,414
$0
$3,651
$71,786
2016
--
2015
--
2014
11.07
2016
--
2015
--
2014
0%
Capital Campaign
Currently in a Capital Campaign?
Anticipated In 3 Years
Campaign Purpose
New Museum Facility at Coligny Beach Park
Goal
250000
Amount Raised To Date
100000 as of 0
State Charitable Solicitations Permit
12
Registration
Yes May 2017
Created 06.14.2017.
13
Copyright © 2017