Above and Beyond Children's Museum receives $100,000 donation
It is the largest programmatic donation in the museum's history
SHEBOYGAN — The Above and Beyond Children's Museum has received a transformational $100,000 gift from an anonymous community donor.
The museum, located at North 8th Street and Niagara Avenue in Downtown Sheboygan, will use this significant funding to advance its mission of fostering exploration, imagination, and joy through immersive play. This anonymous gift will directly enhance the museum's ability to serve working families who may struggle to visit during traditional hours, provide crucial mental health support for parents and caregivers, and ensure that children with disabilities have meaningful, inclusive play experiences alongside their families.
“Above & Beyond Children’s Museum is thrilled to announce the biggest programming gift in the museum’s history—a transformative donation that marks a major milestone in the museum’s commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and community health,” said Cate Tinker, the museum’s Executive Director. “This historic contribution enables Above & Beyond to take bold, meaningful strides toward its strategic accessibility and inclusion goals while directly responding to the evolving needs of families across Sheboygan County and beyond.”
The gift of funding will impact the museum's 2025 and 2026 budgets and support programmatic expansion. This includes extended evening hours starting this fall, innovative pilot programs for families who have children with disabilities, and current “Play is Healing” extensions launching in September 2025.
"We are so grateful to our community for their support as we work to expand our inclusive program reach," added Tinker. "This gift allows us to better support working families, parents and caregivers, and children with disabilities. It represents our community's commitment to ensuring that all children have access to the joy and learning that comes through play."
A major focus of the expansion is “Play for All” sessions set to begin in mid-September with dedicated evening hours designed in partnership with the disability community. Designed to meet diverse sensory, communication, and social/emotional needs, “Play for All” will support a range of access needs for children and families.
The museum is connecting with multiple community partners including Rogers Behavioral Health, the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin, Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin, Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center Hospital Staff, and Prevea Health to inform its programming.
To further enhance accessibility, Above & Beyond Children’s Museum will be purchasing the parking lot adjacent to the museum located at 816 Niagara Avenue from the City of Sheboygan which will be converted to include at least two ADA parking spaces. Two anonymous donors have contributed for the purchase and conversion of the parking lot that was previously city-managed. The museum will utilize the parking lot for both staff and museum visitors.
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“Inclusion isn’t something we stumble into—it’s something we co-create with the community, through deep listening, thoughtful design, and sustained commitment. This generous donation grants us the ability to meet the moment with action—removing barriers, expanding access, and placing joy, dignity, and belonging at the center of every experience,” Allie Tasche, Director of Operations at Above & Beyond Children’s Museum and member of the Sheboygan Board of Education.
For more information or to volunteer, visit abkids.org.
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