In 2013, the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners engaged Benefactor Group to conduct a performance review of the Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC), located in the historic Union Terminal. CMC is home to renowned history, science, and children’s museums, as well as an Omnimax theater. In collaboration with a regional accounting firm, Benefactor Group analyzed CMC’s compliance with the terms of its current agreement with Hamilton County, conducted a thorough financial analysis examining historical trends and future projections to assess CMC’s financial health, and provided a comparative analysis of CMC’s operations against similar institutions that receive county funding.

Benefactor Group also assessed CMC’s fiscal sustainability at its Union Terminal location and reviewed its strategic plan in the context of the upcoming levy period. Recommendations were made for revenue enhancements, endowment building, and the establishment of future contractual conditions between CMC and Hamilton County. The comprehensive report presented to the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners included findings and actionable recommendations for the museum’s future. Following the presentation, the commissioners approved a levy request contingent upon CMC’s development of a restoration plan for the publicly owned Union Terminal building. This collaboration aimed to ensure the sustainability and success of CMC as a cultural and educational institution in the region.