The OtterCares Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Children’s Museum of Northern Colorado (CMNC), supporting the museum’s innovative Home Exhibit and celebrating the collective impact of Otter employees and IgnitED donors.
The grant was made possible through the generosity of IgnitED donors, Otter Products’ employee giving program, and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and employee expertise.
The partnership began when CMNC approached OtterCares seeking volunteer support and technical guidance for the plumbing, HVAC and electrical components of the museum’s Home Exhibit. What started as a brainstorming opportunity quickly evolved into a hands-on collaboration, with Otter engineering team members contributing their time and talent to help design and build interactive exhibit elements that will educate and inspire children and families for years to come.
“This project is a powerful example of what can happen when employees connect their professional expertise with a meaningful community need,” says Madison Polansky, employee engagement and programs manager at OtterCares. “Through this partnership, Otters have contributed not only their skills and creativity, but also their generosity. Together, they have demonstrated the impact of giving Time, Talent, and Treasure.”
The Children’s Museum of Northern Colorado, currently under development in Loveland, will provide immersive, hands-on play and learning experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity and exploration for children and families across Northern Colorado.
The $10,000 grant will help further the museum’s mission while complementing the significant volunteer contributions already made by Otter employees to the Home Exhibit.
“The team at Otter Products and the OtterCares Foundation have been exceptionally supportive of our work to open Northern Colorado’s first-and-only dedicated children’s museum,” says Ryan Howard, executive director at the Children’s Museum of Northern Colorado. “As we discussed opportunities to collaborate, we quickly realized that partnering on an exhibit design would align both our missions and help CMNC deliver a truly Northern Colorado experience. To be awarded an additional grant to support the exhibit’s fabrication was an unexpected and joyous surprise. We at CMNC are thankful for the incredible support provided by so many Otters!”
OtterCares extends special recognition to the core engineering team members who have played a key role in bringing the Home Exhibit to life: Jack Nanney, Kayla Hackett, Matt Wilkson, Nick Cassidy, Tom Vincent and Will Boehner.
“This project has been such a meaningful way to use my talents as an engineer to give back,” says Hackett, mechanical engineer at Otter Products. “Growing up, I loved interactive museum exhibits because they turned learning into a puzzle and encouraged me to explore how the world worked. Getting to help design that kind of experience for a new generation has been a fun puzzle in itself, and I hope these exhibits spark the same curiosity, excitement, and desire to learn in the kids who experience them.”
For another team member, the project also has a personal connection.
“What made this project special for me was the opportunity to join two important parts of my life: my experience as an engineer and my role as a parent,” says Wilkson, test engineering manager at Otter Products. “I’ve taken my children to other children’s museums and have seen firsthand the excitement, creativity, and learning they inspire. Knowing that we could help create a similar experience here in Northern Colorado is incredibly rewarding! I’m excited not only for my kids to experience the museum, but also for the many other children and families in our community who will enjoy it for years to come.”
Through initiatives like IgnitED employee giving and employee volunteerism, OtterCares continues to empower employees to create positive change in the communities where they live and work.
