Press

Donation to Help Fund Museum’s Comprehensive, National Effort Aimed at Prevention of Early Childhood Obesity

New York, NY, May 5, 2011 – The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) announced today a gift of $250,000 from Goldman Sachs Gives, a donor-advised fund, to help fund Eat Sleep Play: A CMOM Health Initiative which focuses on the prevention of obesity in early childhood. The contribution was made at the recommendation of Robin Vince, Head of Operations at Goldman Sachs and member of CMOM’s Board of Directors.

“The Eat Sleep Play initiative is making great strides in changing the way people think about making healthy lifestyle choices,” said Mr. Vince. “We hope this gift from Goldman Sachs Gives will allow CMOM to build healthy communities here in New York.”

Eat Sleep Play: A CMOM Health Initiative focuses on developing healthy lifestyles in early childhood – the time researchers have confirmed that habits (good or bad) are formed. The multifaceted initiative consists of a permanent exhibit (opening in November 2011), family programming and original research. In addition, CMOM is running family health outreach programs in the South Bronx and New Orleans, and professional development programs with Head Start, the City University of New York and other organizations. In conjunction with the NIH, CMOM has developed an arts and literacy-based curriculum that is under consideration by the NIH and USDA to be the first federally approved curriculum for the prevention of early childhood obesity. If approved, the NIH will make the curriculum available nationwide for use in schools, community centers and children’s museums. CMOM is also partnering with a major design firm to develop products, such as a portion control plate, which will be available through a national retailer.

“Creating sustainable change requires bringing together leaders from across government, education, foundations and the private sector with members of the community. CMOM is doing this in practical, imaginative and fun ways,” said Laurie M. Tisch, Chairman Emeritus of the CMOM and President of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, provider of seed funds for the initiative. “Eat Sleep Play will change how families make choices around food, exercise and sleep, and will become a model for other cities throughout the country.”

In addition to funding from Goldman Sachs Gives, Eat Sleep Play is funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the United Way of New York City.

About Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Founded in 1973, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is New York City’s leading cultural institution dedicated solely to children and families. CMOM inspires children and their families to learn about themselves and a culturally diverse world through unique interactive exhibitions. CMOM presents a full range of activities, exhibits and special performances that stimulate children of all ages. Through multidimensional programs that reach deep into the community, the Museum serves New Yorkers from all backgrounds. For details on all of CMOM’s programs, please visit www.cmom.org.

About Goldman Sachs Gives
Goldman Sachs Gives is a donor-advised fund—a public charity that maintains individual accounts for donors who recommend grants to qualified non-profit organizations from their accounts. Established in 2007, Goldman Sachs Gives enables Goldman Sachs and its people to leverage their donations to charities in the communities where they live and work, or elsewhere around the globe. The focus of this organization is on those areas that have been proven to be fundamental to creating jobs and economic growth, building and stabilizing communities, honoring service and veterans and increasing educational opportunities.