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Learn About Upstate Play Partners!
At The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, we strive to embody a spirit of philanthropy. That’s why it’s one of our six core values. One way we demonstrate this value is through Upstate Play Partners.
UPP exists to allow at-risk, under-served communities, and families of children with disabilities to visit the museum free of charge, thanks to grant funding. Every year we award non-profits with a select number of museum tickets to distribute to the communities they serve.
The intention of the program is to encourage family time and hands-on learning together in support of the museum’s mission: Ignite a community of compassionate problem solvers through intentional and inclusive play.
To apply, please follow these steps:
- Fill out the application form.
- Submit your organization’s 501(c)(3) as well as list of current Board of Directors’ names and place of business to Community Engagement Manager Lindsey Lusk, [email protected].
Congratulations to our 2024 partners:
- Queen Bee Charities*
- AnMed Therapy – Pediatrics*
- PMAC
- Parenting and Family Literacy
- Ripple of One*
- Nurse Family Partnership – Prisma Health
- Fostering Great Ideas
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate
- Upstate Fatherhood Coalition
- Homes of Hope Inc.
- Greenville Free Medical Clinic*
- Hispanic Alliance
- Bel-Aire Community Partners*
- Greenville County Foster Parent Association
- Communities in Schools South Carolina*
- YouthBASE
- A Child’s Haven
- Greenville County DSS
- Just Say Something*
- Make-a-Wish South Carolina*
- The Frazee Center
- Easterseals South Carolina
- Julie Valentine Center*
- Eleos Ministry
* indicates a brand new UPP for 2024.
Partnership Agreement
- By receiving Upstate Play Partners tickets, all partner organizations agree to abide by the program policies. Please review the Upstate Play Partners Guidelines and Agreement for more information.
- Organizations that demonstrate a disregard for these policies may potentially lose their tickets and/or not be invited back to the program.
- Please note that if no more than 70% of tickets are redeemed in one calendar year, the organization is subject to ‘inactive’ status whereupon reinstatement of Upstate Play Partners partnership is contingent upon program capacity.
- If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Community Engagement Manager Lindsey Lusk via email at llusk@tcmupstate.org or by phone at (864) 553-7928.
FAQS
How are tickets awarded?
- Tickets are distributed to UPP partner organizations once a year based on the usage history amount, TCMU’s amount of available funds, and successful application completion.
- A successful usage rate is defined as a redemption rate of 70% or higher per year. Ticket availability is contingent on funding, which the museum secures through individual and corporate donors.
- Each organization is responsible for determining its own distribution policy to its clients. Some organizations choose to make the tickets a reward for successful progress in or completion of a program. Others allow direct service providers (caseworkers, therapists, etc.) to pass out tickets at their discretion. Partner organizations have the freedom to develop a distribution model that best fits their needs, including when and how to distribute their ticket allotment.
- If most tickets allocated will be used at a specific time of year, please communicate with TCMU, as well as if the organization needs more tickets before the end of the year.
How are tickets distributed?
- Tickets will be available for pick-up at TCMU.
- By request, under unique circumstances, TCMU will mail tickets to the organization
- Organizations may email to check how many tickets have been redeemed so far.
Where are my tickets eligible?
- Organization tickets will be eligible for use in both our locations, TCMU-Greenville, and TCMU-Spartanburg.
- Please note TCMU-Spartanburg serves children 6 and under.
How do we use the tickets?
- Each ticket is good for 1-day admission to the museum for one individual.
- For groups of 15 or more, all partner organizations must reserve the visit date with a UPP contact. Please contact
- Greenville: Lindsey Lusk via email – [email protected]
- Spartanburg: Catie Davis via email – [email protected]
- Make sure to bring physical ticket copies for validation.
- For groups less than 15 – please come to the admissions desk the day of your visit – make sure to bring your physical ticket copy for validation.
Who needs a ticket for TCMU entrance?
- Every person age 1 and up needs a ticket for TCMU-Greenville entrance.
- Every person 6 months and up needs a ticket for TCMU-Spartanburg entrance.
- TCMU counts individuals 16 years old and over as adults.
- Required ratio: the museum requires at least one adult per every 5 children
- For security purposes, adults may not enter the museum unaccompanied.
How do we get more tickets?
- The organization will be assigned a specific number of tickets at the beginning of the year. You can call us or email us at any time to see how many tickets you still have left.
- Your organization must use at least 70% of tickets per year to remain in the program.
- Unused tickets do NOT roll forward/accrue.
- If your organization requires more tickets than you currently have, please contact the Community Engagement Manager, Lindsey Lusk at [email protected] for Greenville tickets as special arrangements may be made.
- Remember, tickets are available contingent on funding.
When do our tickets expire?
- Tickets expire the last day the museum is open for the 2024 calendar year.
- Please make every effort to use 100% of the tickets by that date as all tickets are generously paid for through contributions from private donors, corporate sponsors, and grants.
Can we use the tickets for a field trip?
- Yes, but the 5:1 child to adult ratio must be met upon entering the museum. Groups will not be admitted until the quota is met.
- Please contact the Community Engagement Manager, Lindsey Lusk, via email – [email protected] to book a field trip. They will connect you with the Field Trip Coordinator.
Can staff members use tickets?
Yes, only in the following circumstances:
- The staff member is attending the museum as part of his/her job duties (e.g., a therapist attending with a family to practice skills).
- The staff member is serving as a legal guardian for the children attending (e.g., a group home worker bringing residents).
- The staff member provided transportation for the family to visit.
- The staff member is supervising the visit.
- A “community day” was planned and staff members are needed to reach the museum’s 5:1 ratio.
Staff members may not use a ticket in the following circumstances:
- As part of a fundraiser or auction. (You may request one family 4-pack per year by filling out this request form.)
- When visiting as a general patron for recreational purposes or with his/her family (i.e., not as part of his/her job duties)
Please contact the Community Engagement Manager if a situation arises that you feel meets these requirements but is not listed.
