Play it Forward 2023: Power the Future of Play!

Port Discovery welcomes all children and children-at-heart to come forecast the future of FUN in a night of creativity, imagination, and vision. This year’s annual fundraiser will explore some of the innovative ways that our bodies and brains play – what of science fiction now may be the standard of the near future? Whatever the answer, Port Discovery plans to be at the forefront advocating on the power and science of PLAY!

Join us for night of futuristic food, drinks, discovery, games, magic, and music. Together, we will celebrate the importance of play and our collective impact on the Baltimore community, all while raising funds that will help to ensure every child and family has the opportunity to dream, play, and learn at Port Discovery – now and in the future!

Event Details

Event Info

Friday, March 31, 2023

5:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Ticket Info

SOLD OUT

Sponsor Play It Forward

  • $25,000 PlayMakers for All

    Can you imagine a museum that believes purposeful play and learning is a right that should be afforded to all children and families regardless of need, income, or ability?

    Through the PlayMakers program, families who utilized Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Cards or Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Cards may visit the Museum for just $3 per person anytime the Museum is open. As a PlayMaker level sponsor, you help ensure that this important access initiative sustains and expands, making play and learning possible for thousands of children and families each year.

    Benefits
    • 40 Play It Forward tickets to enjoy and share with your friends, family, colleagues, and clients
    • 40 Play It Forward tickets donated to members in our PlayMaker community
    • Premier sponsor recognition on Play It Forward invitation and all event promotional materials
    • Premier sponsor recognition at the event

    To become a PlayMakers for All Sponsor, please email Erin Wahl at ewahl@portdiscovery.org

  • $20,000 Community at Play

    Can you imagine a museum the offers monthly Community Days when any family can benefit from child-supportive play, enjoy time bonding, and make memories together – without financial strain?

    Help make sure every child and family have an opportunity to play and learn at a deeply discounted rate by underwriting the cost of a $5 Community Day in 2023!

    Benefits
    • 30 Play It Forward tickets to enjoy and share with your friends, family, colleagues, and clients

    • 30 Play It Forward tickets donated to family clients of our program partner Promise Height

    • Sponsor recognition on Play It Forward invitation and all event promotional materials

    • Sponsor recognition at the event

    • Exclusive recognition during one selected $5 Community Day

    To become a Community at Play Sponsor, please email Erin Wahl at ewahl@portdiscovery.org. 

  • $15,000 Generations at Play

    Can you imagine a museum that supports the health and well-being of our youngest learners through training and resources for, and guided play with, the loving adults and caregivers in their lives?

    Support Two Generations at Play, a multi-prong initiative designed to empower parents of young children to engage with their kids through purposeful play approaches. Including Fathers At Play and Professionals At Play, Port Discovery’s two generational programing supports the health and well-being of Maryland children by engaging with those that matter most in their lives – the parents, caregivers, educators, and guardians of our youngest learners.

    Benefits
    • 25 Play It Forward tickets to enjoy and share with your friends, family, colleagues, and clients
    • 25 Play It Forward tickets donated to family clients of our program partner Center for Urban Families
    • Sponsor recognition on Play It Forward invitation and all event promotional materials
    • Sponsor recognition at the event

    To become a Generations at Play Sponsor, please email Erin Wahl at ewahl@portdiscovery.org

  • $7,500 Heroes at Play

    Can you imagine a museum the supports our dedicated military service members, veterans, and their families throughout the year with special discounts and family friendly activities?

    Support our Troops! Port Discovery’s Military access program supports families of active-duty military personnel and veterans with year-round discounts, periodic free admission, special service initiatives, and offsite programming in military communities. As a sponsor of this important initiative, you will help provide play-based learning experiences to children and families who sacrifice family time, relocate frequently, and face other significant challenges as they serve our country.

    Benefits
    • 15 Play It Forward tickets to enjoy and share with your friends, family, colleagues, and clients
    • 15 Play It Forward tickets donated to family members of our partner site at Fort Meade, MD
    • Sponsor recognition on Play It Forward invitation and select event promotional materials
    • Sponsor recognition at the event

    To become a Heroes at Play Sponsor, please email Erin Wahl at ewahl@portdiscovery.org

  • $3,500 Role Model

    Can you imagine a museum experience that was intentionally accessible to families of all abilities?

    Support Port Discovery’s Sensory Friendly Mornings! During these dedicated monthly hours, the Museum opens its doors to families and groups who would benefit from a sensory-modified experience and quieter setting, with capacity limits, sound and lighting adjustments. In this way, Port Discovery strives to ensure that children of all abilities have the opportunity to develop and exercise skills needed for healthy, happy, and productive lives.

    Benefits
    • 10 Play It Forward tickets to enjoy and share with your friends, family, colleagues, and clients
    • 10 Play It Forward tickets donated to family participants in the Museum’s Special Needs Community Group
    • Sponsor recognition on Play It Forward invitation and select event promotional materials
    • Sponsor recognition at the event

    To become a Role Model Sponsor, please email Erin Wahl at ewahl@portdiscovery.org

  • $1,750 PD Friend

    Can you imagine a creative learning hub where you bring your family, friends, and visitors for a guaranteed best-day-ever of joyful play?

    Lead the way with a sponsorship that allows Port Discovery to direct support to the area of greatest need. PD Friend sponsorship is essential in supporting our core operations and maintaining Port Discovery’s status as the region’s award-winning children’s museum.

    Benefits
    • 6 Play It Forward tickets to enjoy and share with your friends, family, colleagues, and clients
    • 6 Play It Forward tickets donated to family participants of our program partner MD Food Bank
    • Sponsor recognition on Play It Forward invitation and select event promotional materials
    • Sponsor recognition at the event

    To become a PD Friend Sponsor, please email Erin Wahl at ewahl@portdiscovery.org

Play It Forward 2023 is generously sponsored by:

PlayMakers for All

J.S. Plank & D.M. DiCarlo Family Foundation, Inc.

Lewis Contractors

Generations at Play

McCormick & Co., Inc.

Sinclair Broadcast Group

University of Maryland, Baltimore

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Heroes at Play

BGE

Bike Powered Events

The Cordish Companies

Ashley & Dan Flamholz

The Houff Foundation/Ashley & Charlie Hatter

JMI Equity

M&T Bank

Janet & Willy Palmer

George A. Roche

Joanie & Gordon Stetz

Role Model

Chasen Companies

DLA Piper LLP

Ernst & Young, LLP

First National Bank

Melissa & Randy Guttman

Heritage Financial Consultants

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Monument Sotheby’s International Realty

Phillips Foods and Seafood Restaurant

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Jennifer Qiu/Sushi Q LLC

The Quantum Group

The Rasmussen Group/Dennis Rasmussen

Stewart Title Guaranty Company

Zolet Lenet and Fink Group at Morgan Stanley

PD Friend

Monica Brandes & George Jones

Capital Services

Cathryn & Bill Corey

Greenleaf Construction

Nancy & Tony Imbraguglio

Allison & Tim Perry

 

Questions?

Please contact Erin Wahl, Executive and Development Administrator at ewahl@portdiscovery.org or 410-864-2656

 

Host Committee

Ashley Hatter, Julie Militello & Chrissy Ripley –  Co-Chairs 

Allison Benson O’Brien

Sonja Byrnes

Dana DiCarlo

Martina Dilks

Ashley Flamholz

Dan Fulmer 

Christina Giffin 

Sarah Grasmick

Teri Guarnaccia

Amy House 

Maggie Kennedy 

Robyn Murphy 

Danielle Nekimken

Shantell Roberts

Lucky Thompson