We are excited to share some wonderful news with our community.

ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum has been awarded a $50,000 Challenge Grant from The Bolger Foundation to help renovate and update our 25-year-old museum building.

This generous investment recognizes the important role ScienceWorks plays in providing hands-on STEAM education to children and families throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California. But there is a catch — and an opportunity.

To receive the full $50,000 grant, ScienceWorks must raise an additional $170,000 in new funds by April 1, 2027.

The Bolger Foundation hopes this challenge grant will inspire community support, and we do too.

Investing in the Future of ScienceWorks

For almost 25 years, ScienceWorks has welcomed children, families, school groups, and lifelong learners through our doors. Each year, thousands of guests visit the museum to explore science through play, experimentation, creativity, and discovery.

Like many organizations with aging facilities, however, we face growing infrastructure needs. Much of our building remains in its original condition, including major systems that are critical to safety, accessibility, comfort, and the visitor experience.

If we successfully meet this challenge, the funds will support a variety of important improvements, including:

• Replacing aging HVAC equipment and thermostats to improve temperature control throughout the museum
• Installing a public address and alarm system to enhance guest communication and safety
• Upgrading water fountains to improve accessibility
• Improving community gathering spaces, including meeting rooms and video conferencing capabilities
• Adding bird-safe window treatments and shades
• Upgrading our theater with improved lighting, projection, sound, and audience amenities

These may not be the most glamorous projects, but they are essential investments that will help ensure ScienceWorks remains a safe, welcoming, and vibrant community resource for years to come.

More Than a Building

While these improvements focus on our facility, they ultimately support something much larger.

Every improvement to our building strengthens our ability to serve the community through field trips, camps, public programs, family events, scholarships, and hands-on learning opportunities.

Last year, ScienceWorks completed a strategic planning process that included interviews with hundreds of community members, educators, partners, and supporters. One message came through loud and clear: people value ScienceWorks not only as a museum, but as a gathering place where curiosity, creativity, and community come together.

This challenge grant represents an opportunity to build on that vision.

How You Can Help

Meeting this challenge will require support from across our community.

There are many ways to help:

Donate Online

Visit ScienceWorksMuseum.org to make a gift.

Mail a Check

ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum

1500 E. Main Street

Ashland, OR 97520

Become a Member

Memberships provide vital ongoing support. If you own a business or work for a local employer, consider a Business Membership that allows employees to enjoy museum benefits year-round.

Explore Planned Giving

Talk with your financial advisor about including ScienceWorks in your estate plans, contributing appreciated stock, or making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA.

Donate Goods, Services, or Expertise

We welcome in-kind contributions from contractors, tradespeople, technology providers, and other businesses that may be able to help with building improvements. Whether you can donate materials, equipment, professional services, labor, or specialized expertise, your support can help stretch every fundraising dollar further and make these projects possible.

Share Our Story

Tell your friends, neighbors, coworkers, and community organizations about the challenge grant and the impact ScienceWorks has on our region.

Have an idea for how you'd like to help? Contact us at info@scienceworksmuseum.org. We would love to hear from you.

Every gift, service, and act of support helps bring us closer to unlocking this $50,000 challenge grant and ensuring that future generations continue to have a place where curiosity thrives.