By Marie-Elena Schembri

There are few places where independent creators and small-business owners in Sacramento can go for affordable access to high-tech equipment, coworking space, retail opportunities and to learn new skills. MADE Studio is one of those spaces — and it might have to close its doors.

Three years into a rebrand with a new focus on equity for women and people of color, the nonprofit maker space in Oak Park is struggling to make ends meet. Despite cutting out overhead and operating costs of around $60,000 a month by moving from 25th and R streets to the Oak Park location, a major lack of current funding may put an end to the space that has become a creative hub for many of Sacramento’s artists, makers and entrepreneurs. 

MADE Studio needs to raise at least $45,000 as soon as possible to keep its doors open.

Hacker Lab, the parent nonprofit organization that MADE director Gina Lujan co-founded along with Eric Ullrich and current board member Charles Blas, is also celebrating its 13th year in existence, which is why Lujan is organizing a fundraiser and anniversary party to help celebrate MADE’s successes — and raise awareness of its dire financial situation. The makerspace has served over 375 small businesses, over 100 members and offered over 400 classes per year, according to Lujan.

Blas got involved with Hacker Lab back in 2012 because, as someone working in tech and security, there just weren’t many spaces that offered the collaborative working environment and sense of community he was seeking.

The idea was to “create a critical mass of like-minded people, both makers and the hacker-type people in the community,” according to Bias. While a lot has changed over the years — including the expansion to and closing of three different locations — the focus on the creative community hasn’t changed. 

“It has always been about giving back. … So that’s why I’m continuing to support in any way I can to keep the vision alive of supporting BIPOC communities in this area,” Bias said.

Always one to innovate, Lujan is looking into new revenue streams, including the addition of retail space inside the studio. “We have several models of business we are building,” Lujan said, which include services like custom sign fabrication and hosting events. Lujan also wants to create a regional brand for “all things made in Sacramento,” and has dreams of creating a maker’s district. She has reached out to possible partners in local government and education and applied for innovation and workforce grants, but so far hasn’t received the support she hoped for. Lujan reported receiving $135,000 in funding for 2024, which is less than half of the studio’s operating budget for the year.

MADE Studio currently costs about $30,000 a month to run, according to Lujan, which is nearly impossible to cover with member fees alone. Grants and government subsidies can help offset these costs, providing investments into the creative economy that outweigh the costs, says Lujan.

MADE’s current fundraising goal of $45,000 is barely more than one month’s budget, but Lujan says it will help to keep the ship afloat while they are working on developing new opportunities for collaboration and income streams. 

“There’s a lot of things we’re working on. We just need a bridge to get us from one place to another,” Lujan said. While optimistic, Lujan admits that the situation is dire.

Sacramento 2024 mayoral candidate Dr. Flojaune “Flo” Cofer has expressed support for the cause, appearing in a promotional video on MADE’s Instagram, and will act as emcee for the fundraising event on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Tickets cost $20 and the event will feature maker stations where attendees can create their own items including stickers, 3D-printed objects and sublimation prints on fabric. CNC routing and laser cutting will also be available. The party starts at 4:30 p.m. and will include music by local DJs, food, raffle prizes and exclusive handmade gifts with donations over $10.

MADE Studio is located at 3519 Broadway in Sacramento.

This story is part of the Solving Sacramento journalism collaborative. This story was funded by the City of Sacramento’s Arts and Creative Economy Journalism Grant to Solving Sacramento. Following our journalism code of ethics, the city had no editorial influence over this story. Our partners include California Groundbreakers, Capital Public Radio, Outword, Russian America Media, Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento News & Review, Sacramento Observer and Univision 19. Sign up for our “Sac Art Pulse” newsletter here.