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Inspirato and Chicago Children’s Museum Partner on New Model for Giving

Denver, CO, USA (April 5, 2012) /BUSINESS WIRE/ — Chicago Children’s Museum is dedicated to creating limitless play opportunities for children, and Inspirato opens doors to a world playground of luxury travel. The two organizations have formed a partnership to raise funds that will enhance play time for both kids and world travelers.

Inspirato’s new Inspired Giving platform, www.inspiredgiving.com, was designed to help charitable organizations like Chicago Children’s Museum raise funds in a new way. Through this partnership, donors who contribute $2,000 to Chicago Children’s Museum’s cause through the Inspired Giving website gain select access to Inspirato’s club-managed portfolio of vacation residences and unparalleled personal vacation services in locations ranging from California and Colorado to Hawaii and Mexico.

The Inspired Giving donation model benefits Chicago Children’s Museum in a number of ways:

  • For every $2,000 donated to Chicago Children’s Museum through Inspirato’s Inspired Giving website, the donor gains one-time access to an Inspirato luxury vacation – priced at up to 50 percent under market, and without having to pay the $15,000 Inspirato membership fee. 
  • Inspirato contributes one Inspired Giving vacation experience that Chicago Children’s Museum can auction to raise funds. Of those contributed monies, 100 percent goes back to Chicago Children’s Museum.
  • For every new Inspirato membership that is generated from a Chicago Children’s Museum donation through Inspirato’s Inspired Giving, the company gives $2,000 to Chicago Children’s Museum as an Inspired Giving partner.

The partnership helps Chicago Children’s Museum develop a significant source of year-round revenue, including at the museum’s hallmark event of the year, its fundraising gala in November. The museum plans to auction off an Inspirato Inspired Giving luxury vacation, whose proceeds will provide community resources, educational programming and experiences, and interactive learning environments for the more than 640,000 children the museum serves annually.

“We think this model is an excellent approach to fundraising for our organization. The museum does receive a variety of generous in-kind sponsorships from businesses and vacation companies – but Inspirato’s business model is very compelling because it is different,” said Stephanie Lieber, vice president of individual giving at Chicago Children’s Museum. “Our donors get access to beautiful, high-end properties in an arrangement that is easy to understand, and we can raise significant funds to support our work. It’s affecting a double bottom line.”

Chicago Children’s Museum prides itself on being “all about play,” said Lieber. “Childhood has become so compressed, so commercialized. There is so little opportunity for kids to use their imagination and be creative. We provide the context, and our visitors provide the content.” The museum attracts kids like Vinnie, a 4th grader visiting from out of town, who wrote the following in a letter: “I had a blast at your museum! I love the way you guys work your business… I believe it is my first children’s museum in my life. You guys have awesome exhibits. So far you have the best and the coolest museum.”

For Chicago Children’s Museum’s donors, the donation and vacation booking experience is simple: the donor is given access to Inspirato’s Inspired Giving exclusive web portal, www.inspiredgiving.com; selects Chicago Children’s Museum as the charitable organization of choice; and makes a tax-deductible donation of $2,000. That donor is then able to book a vacation to a luxury Inspirato destination and enjoy all that Inspirato members enjoy, including: personalized service from an Inspirato vacation advisor, an on-site destination concierge, and luxurious accommodations ranging from intimate, couples-only, one-bedroom retreats to large, well-appointed homes in excess of 3,000 square feet.

“We’re so pleased to partner with Chicago Children’s Museum in this venture that helps the organization diversify its fundraising efforts,” said Jackie Benton, executive director of Inspirato’s Inspired Giving. “It offers the museum’s supporters an opportunity to do something for themselves and their families – vacationing, which they would be doing otherwise – and make a significant contribution to the museum all at the same time.”

ABOUT CHICAGO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
The mission of Chicago Children’s Museum (CCM) is to create a community where play and learning connect. CCM is the only cultural institution in the city dedicated to young children and the important adults in their lives. Playful experiences, including more than 15 interactive exhibits, tap into how kids learn, and engage them at an early age so they develop a lifelong love of learning. Located at Navy Pier, Chicago’s number one attraction at 700 E. Grand Ave., CCM is the final stop for CTA buses #29, #65, #66 and #124. For more information, please visit www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org.

ABOUT INSPIRATO
Designed specifically for a new generation of luxury consumers, Inspirato offers the best of destination club consistency and service, together with unmatched value, flexibility and low-cost membership. Our members have access to an ever-growing portfolio of luxury homes in the world’s top destinations, including California, the Caribbean, Colorado, France, Hawaii, Italy, London, Mexico, New York City and more. By leasing vacation properties (rather than owning), Inspirato is able to keep membership fees low, offer up to 50 percent off market rates, and easily add homes and destinations as demand increases. Our innovative business model has led to rapid growth since our January 2011 launch, placing Inspirato at the forefront of the “luxury for less” movement. For more information about Inspirato, visit www.inspirato.com.

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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