"In for $10" for New Laser!

[Brad Freese]

We're aiming to purchase a new 150 Watt laser with a 24" x 20" bed. To help pay for it we're applying for a grant from Prairie Meadows, but we're more likely to get the grant if we can show that...

   A. We have community interest in the new laser, and

   B. We're willing to fund a good percentage of it.

That's why we're going to start raising money for it now with a good old fashioned "In for $10." (For an explanation of "In for $10" please see the bottom of this post.)

So If you're interested in the space getting a newer, bigger and better laser, please donate! It doesn't have to be $10, you can give more or less, whatever you're comfortable with. Remember even small donations will help because it's evidence of member engagement! (More money = more "pew pew pew"!!!)

For IRS reasons all donations for the laser need to be given to the space. Cash or check donations are always welcome! You can also give using the PayPal link on our website... 

1) Go to the Join or Donate page on our website, and scroll down to the "In for $10" option.

2) Then type in the amount you want to give...

3) Go through logging into your PayPal account.

4) On the final page, add "New laser" into the text field so we know what your money is for!

More details: This Saturday afternoon the Laser Stewards (Brad & Bailey) sat down with John W, Chris K and Isaiah P, to start preparing our Prairie Meadows grant application for a new laser.  After much deliberation, we've decided to go for the following...

     - Boss HP-2440 machine (Link: https://shop.bosslaser.com/products/hp-2440-co2-laser-cutter-and-engraver?variant=40513899954234) 

     - We're also going to get LightBurn Pro software (the industry standard software)

     - a rotary attachment (Link: https://shop.bosslaser.com/products/piburn-v-1630-3655)

     - an extra lens and set of 3 mirrors (about $260)

Before tax, this all has a price tag of about $17,000. We will also ask the board to chip in money for this, but the more we can raise from members the more we can show Prairie Meadows that there is community interest in this!

What is an "In for $10" - "In for $10" is how we've traditionally raised money for new tools. Here's how it works: You post on the Google Group about a new tool you'd like the space to have, you include a purchasing link and price tag, and ask other members to chip in. If other members are interested, they give money using the "In for $10" button on the website (being sure to put the tool name in the PayPal notes text field!), or by putting cash or a check in the space's deposit box. All donations have to go through the space. If you ask people to give the money to you the IRS gets all mad. After people donate, they post on the Google Group thread to let you know. To check how much has been donated so far, you can email the board (board "at" area515.org) and ask. 

     - If you raised enough money, perfect! Let the board know that the tool can be purchased.

     - If you get at least 10 members contributing, and raise at least half of the money for the purchase, the board is then automatically required to fund the rest of the purchase (up to $500).  

     - If you didn't make the above criteria but still came close, let the board know how close you got and ask them to fund the difference. They typically will.

     - If you didn't raise anywhere near enough money, the donations can always be returned through PayPal.

Here are some links to past "In for $10" campaigns that worked...

- Leather Sewing Machine (https://groups.google.com/u/1/g/dsmhackerspace/c/dPK0PvUKes4/m/OX_O8YE4CwAJ)

- Strip Curtain for 3D Printing Room (https://groups.google.com/u/1/g/dsmhackerspace/c/wraPKHs5VEA/m/u1kZXY-PAgAJ)

- Kreg Foreman Jig (https://groups.google.com/u/1/g/dsmhackerspace/c/N4YUvcRdJYk/m/NMrPZVPUCwAJ)

Please email if you have questions and thank you for reading all this!!

Brad Freese

[Brad Freese]

I just donated.

Thanks everyone!

[Jake Leister]

Have we asked to see if they would offer any discount for a non profit/makerspace also? Ill pledge $500 also which should get an extra $1000 matched from my company. 

[Chris Krohn]

Jake, we are working on getting final numbers from them and will also be asking if there is anything that they will do for us

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[Zach Bennett]

I am in for $250. My company will also match $250.

[John Whiteman]

I am in for $100. 

[Lia Ximena]

In for $100! :D :D 

[Matthew Karssen]

I'll chip in, too. This would be a great addition!

[Tom Rendon]

I am in for $50. Tom Rendon

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From: dsmhack...@googlegroups.com <dsmhack...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Matthew Karssen <mpka...@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 9, 2025 10:36 AM
To: Area515 - Des Moines Maker Space <dsmhack...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [Area515] Re: "In for $10" for New Laser!

 

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[Darron Ritter]

Any updates on the laser? Do they offer a discount for non-profits? What is the total in for $10 and when do you think we will hear about the grant?

[David Champion]

Darron, the committee working on the grant worked very hard on finding the best deal on the laser cutter, and did an excellent job exploring all the options and writing up the grant.

I believe it will be another month or so until we hear back on the grant results, and we're also doing pretty well at raising funds.

We'll see if we can get you all an update probably after the next board meeting.

Thanks,

-dc

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/dsmhackerspace/66258ecd-3468-4998-a89e-ecf45021513fn%40googlegroups.com.

[Jeff Skalicky]

In for I'm in for $100

[Brad Freese]

So far $3,450 has been pledged from our members for a new laser. We should hear back from the Prairie Meadows Betterment Grant committee by the first week of July. The vendor we contacted for a quote for the new laser did not give discounts for nonprofits unfortunately.

Major props go to Chris and Isaiah for all the work they put in to our grant application this year! They did an awesome job! Props also go to John and Bailey for their work on the grant. Even more props go to Debra H who originally got the ball rolling on grant applications and helped with this one.

[John Whiteman]

Hello Makers, 

Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant Updates

We are happy to share that the Space has received a $10,000 grant for updating our laser cutter! This is a huge success for the space and was truly a team effort. 

Getting this funding is only the start of our Laser Update project. The Laser that was selected to meet the memberships/ needs has a base cost of about $15,000 and we estimated that the total cost of the project will be at least $18,000. We are working with the vendor to try and secure a discount on a bundle of everything the Space needs to support the new laser. Additionally, the new laser is a cabinet model and will require us to re-arrange the laser area to fit. Stay tuned for a future workday regarding the laser area. 

Laser Area In for 10 Updates

To cover the rest of the costs the space is looking at different options including our normal in for 10 fundraiser. So far we have had 13 members contribute $3,450 to the in for 10, and are at about 72% of what is needed. Our goal is to raise another $1,550 to fully support the laser area.

We currently have a matching offer going that will get us to our goal-if we can max it out. Every contribution is helpful and needed. Please consider giving a donation of any amount knowing that your impact will be doubled. 

New Laser Name

Those who have been using the lasers know that “Lefty” has been a real workhorse for us, and that “Righty” has been missed for a while now. It was mentioned that the new laser will deserve a new name. With such a creative community we want to hear what ideas you have for the new laser’s name. 

Please use this google form to submit your suggestions, please submit a new form for each suggestion. 

Best, 

John Whiteman