Angela,
undoubtedly children's museum folks will step in, but here are a couple
thoughts from me...
the Association of Youth Museums has just pub. a "manual" on starting
and sustaining a children's museum.  i'd buy a copy right away and get
your organizing group up to speed ASAP - spend the c. $100.00 and see
what those folks think; have you contacted any existing children's
museums to see how they'd handle these situations?; if you don't have
one i'd get a copy of "Starting Right" by Cindy Sherrel-Leo and Gerry
George (from AASLH) - it's short,, easy reading and inexpensive and you
could get several copies (maybe one each) for your organizers, so
everyone is "on the same page " organizationally; what does your lawyer
say?; what about suggesting to the grocery chain folks that they put the
money (are you sure it's enough?) in something like an escrow account to
start drawing interest and then when you're ready you've got one (and
hopefully more) major gifts in hand to start your fundraising campaign)
aiming toward that 50% or 60% in hand before initiating the "from the
community" closing segment.
I don't know what - if any - of these will be helpful in your specific
case, but these are at least some of what i'd be thinking about.  Hope
something here helps - and if not, email me directly - there are more
things i've thought of but don't want to possibly burden the list.
Linn


Angela wrote:
>
> Our children's museum is in the start up phase.  The Task Force has
> incorporated, filed for and awaiting a 501 © 3 determination letter, has
> two traveling exhibits rotating throughout local classrooms, appeared at
> 12
> local festivals last year, is doing site research.  What is our next
> step?
> Is it too early to put together a board of directors, or do we need to
> wait
> until we receive tax exempt status?  A local grocery wishes to set up our
> proposed grocery exhibit and awaiting specifications.  We do not have
> sponsorship policy or any policies written.  What do we do?  How do we
> continue to court the sponsor so they will not grow weary while we are
> waiting for exempt status, board nominatioins and policy making?  Our
> cart
> seems to be before the horse.  Public interest has moved faster then our
> organizational steps.  Help!
>
> Angela Wilcox
> Children's Museum of Elizabethtown
> Kentucky