Lacey MakerSpace

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Building Futures Through Skills, Community, and Opportunity

In the heart of Lacey, Washington, Lacey MakerSpace serves as essential infrastructure for workforce development, entrepreneurship, and community connection, driving economic opportunity across the South Puget Sound. We serve 350+ makers, with nearly half being students, veterans, and tribal community members. This year alone, we've logged over 1,600 volunteer hours, run 23+ classes monthly, and kept our 8,000-square-foot shop filled with state-of-the-art equipment, operating 40+ hours weekly.

But we're more than statistics. We're neighbors helping neighbors turn ideas into businesses, skills into careers, and curiosity into confidence.

Where Your Donations Go: Supporting Community Growth and Opportunity. 

Your generous contributions directly fund life-changing programs, including:

• Youth Programs: We inspire the next generation through hands-on learning experiences in STEAM, design, and trades. Your support helps youth explore and develop valuable skills, nurturing future innovators and leaders.

• Opening Doors to Hands-On Learning: Creativity should have no financial barriers. With your help, we’re building a scholarship fund to ensure individuals from all backgrounds can join, learn, and grow at the MakerSpace.

• Classes and Workshops: Every donation enriches our offerings, enabling us to expand courses across a range of skills and trades. This includes everything from basic skills to specialized workforce training that leads to quality jobs.

• Mentorship Programs: Innovation thrives in collaboration. With community support, we connect aspiring entrepreneurs and makers with mentors who guide them from idea to market.

Success Stories: Lives Changed through the Lacey MakerSpace

Behind every project completed here, there’s a meaningful story. For example, Blake, a dedicated member, has transformed his passion into a full-time career as an artist, thanks to the skills and confidence gained at the MakerSpace. He shared, “I saw a video on YouTube about the compass rose mandala. I thought it was very beautiful and really wanted to make one.” Unsure of how to begin, he decided to check out the MakerSpace. “I signed up for laser classes, and with help from the staff and YouTube, I basically taught myself how to use it.”

After honing his skills, Blake realized he had a potential business venture on his hands. “It is nice because I had been swinging a hammer for the previous six years, so this has been a fun and challenging learning curve.” You can find Blake’s booth at many local events this holiday season. Throughout the campaign, we'll be sharing stories of some of our other many creative members on our social media pages, highlighting the profound impact of our community initiatives.

 Facebook | Instagram | YouTube 

Why Your Support Matters Right Now

Running a regional innovation hub requires more than just passion and volunteer hours. The costs of maintaining specialized equipment, providing accessible programming, and keeping our doors open continue to rise. In an era of economic uncertainty, sustained community investment in workforce development isn't optional. It's essential infrastructure that benefits our entire region.

In 2026, we're strengthening existing partnerships with organizations like AJAC and the Port of Olympia, exploring new collaborations with other regional industry partners, and developing new programming connecting youth directly to career opportunities in advanced manufacturing and creative industries. We're also continuing community-building events like our annual Fix It Fair, where neighbors gather to repair, learn, and keep perfectly good items out of landfills.

Give Local isn't just about sustaining what we have. It's about ensuring we can continue building both skills and community for years to come.

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See what some of our members have to say about Lacey MakerSpace: 

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Lacey MakerSpace is a collaborative project between Saint Martin's University, the Thurston Economic Development Council Center for Business & Innovation (CB&I), and the City of Lacey. Administered by the CB&I and housed on Saint Martin's University's campus, the Lacey MakerSpace operates as a DBA entity under the fiscal sponsorship of the CB&I. As a non-profit corporation incorporated in Washington State and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization, the founding partners are committed to establishing the Lacey MakerSpace as a regional training hub for innovation and skill-building, as well as a community makerspace.