Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for the ‘Lansing Makers Network: Make the Move’ in Lansing

$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – The Lansing Makers Network is growing into a new space that will expand its programming and operations with the help of a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and nonprofit Lansing Makers Network announced today. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by September 10, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/lansingmakers.

“Makers spaces are creative engines in our communities, bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together to create and grow,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for the Lansing Makers Network project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

Lansing Makers Network (LMN) is a maker’s space for hobbyists, entrepreneurs, artists, and engineers to meet, make, learn, and teach together. With tools and equipment for woodworking, blacksmithing, metalworking, machining, jewelry-making, laser-cutting, 3D printing, sewing, and more, LMN provides a space for tinkerers to play and entrepreneurs to grow.

Through this campaign, LMN will move into a larger and more accessible space allowing the nonprofit to host more makers and events in a comfortable space. They will also be able to create and expand youth and adult programming in the space, invest in new equipment and infrastructural improvements, and expand many of the free services they offer to the public. Some of these services include free access to the space using library passes, a variety of craft- and tech-themed skill-sharing events, an open forge night, a repair café, a volunteer membership program, and outdoor activities.

“Lansing has a wonderful community of creators and our big new makerspace is an ideal place to help them access tools and skills that may otherwise be out of their reach. The Public Spaces Community Places program gives us a unique opportunity to fill our walls with equipment and expand our public programming in ways we could previously only dream about,” said Lansing Makers Network Board Secretary Erik Gillespie. “It will allow us to give makers in Lansing, and people who don’t even know yet that they are makers, their own opportunities to build something amazing and grow.”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

“The Michigan Municipal League is a firm believer in building community wealth in ways that build on existing assets and enhance the human experience for everyone,” said Dan Gilmartin, League’s CEO and Executive Director. “Connecting the local Iosco Exploration Trail and to a portion of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail system is community wealth building in action. With the public’s support, this project will improve the human experience for all for years to come. That is what community wealth building is about.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of June 30, 2021, MEDC has provided more than $8.6 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 280 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $10.1 million raised from 48,922 individual donors.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.