Maker Works is a 14,000 sq ft community makerspace in Ann Arbor, MI! We connect people to tools, training, and space to make just about anything. We're looking to raise $50,000 to keep the shop accessible and make some improvements! In 2024 we saw increases across the board: More members, classes, community involvement and a whole lot more. Below you'll find a brief recap of what that looked like!

With your help we'd like to do even more, here are four ways to help:

Building Skills and Confidence

Taught over 1,600 classes, giving individuals hands-on training to safely and effectively use tools for their projects.

"Ella is a superb instructor, stressing the safety of the use of each machine, then demonstrating the machine and allowing the student to use it with her watching. Her style is non-stressful and comfortable." - Class Attendee
Logged nearly 5,000 hours of tool reservations—which doesn’t include most of the woodshop, our busiest area!
Over 800 memberships this year, supporting everything from curiosity to cutting boards, research, and small businesses.

Supporting Local Organizations and Making our Space Accessible to All

Provided over 120 free and discounted classes, saving more than $5,000 for High School FIRST Robotics Teams, Girl & Boy Scout Troops, and local nonprofits like The Mamas Network, Trades Programs for Youth and Adults, and GSHA Quality Services
Donated more than $2,000 in classes & membership to support local non-profits, schools, and FIRST Robotics fundraising efforts.
Supported over 100 free and discounted memberships, saving students, teachers, and veterans over $11,500, and ensuring that Maker Works remains accessible to a diverse audience.

Keeping Our Community Green through Shared Tools & Fix-It-Friday

Provided shared access to hundreds of tools under five different shops, helping reduce our overall energy footprint and create a more sustainable community.
Well over 50 local businesses and startups directly utilized our shop to create, modify, or fix items for their organization.
Repaired over 100 household items through our Fix-It-Friday events (thanks to Kiwanis!), keeping items out of landfills, saving money, and extending the life of cherished possessions.

Welcoming New Makers through Shop Tours & STEAM Activities

Guided over 175 tours showcasing the power of a safe, welcoming, and creative workshop environment.
Approximately 3,000 kids used hammers & hotwire cutters for the first time experiencing our Great Maker Race!

"A great introduction to Maker Works’ shop culture of inclusiveness, wisdom about about offering and receiving peer support and, above all, safety. I walked away thinking MW is a real gift to the maker community." - Class Attendee

Your donation fuels the activities above and allows us to do even more.

Help us continue to provide affordable access to tools, education, and innovation for everyone in our community.

Maker Works is almost entirely (85%) funded by individuals using the shop. In order for us to continue we need to cover that remaining 15%. Especially if we want to provide access to the shop at reasonable prices AND maintain the equipment. A few critical things we'd like to address:

$35,000: Keeping the shop accessible for all, especially for those that aren't able to pay full freight.
$15,000: Shop Improvements and Shared Consumables
- $5,000: Upgrade the Planer to a helical head will increase safety, and reduce downtime and consumable costs.
- $4,000: Shared consumables: Cutting Mat, Welding Gas, Saw Blades, Safety Cartridges, End Mills, Drill Bits, etc.
- $3,000: One of our Lasers has an old tube, replacing it will decrease job times and increase safety.
- $2,000: Our Powder Coating area need some critical parts replaced to function properly and reduce waste.
- $1,000: Recently donated high-end 3D Printers add new capability, faster print times, but need documentation to safely use.

If we hit our fundraising goal we will distribute funds as above. If not, funds will be prioritized towards shop accessibility.

Donate today and be a part of creating something amazing!

We'll make sure everyone gets recognized for their donation. If you're able to make a significant contribution we have some additional ways we would like to appreciate your help!

Maker Works' 2024 Giving Campaign

Empower Creators, Build Community