Volunteering at the Makerspace

Grand River Makerspace is a volunteer-driven nonprofit. Volunteers are the backbone of the space — helping keep tools accessible, the shop running smoothly, and the environment welcoming for everyone.

Whether you’re an experienced maker or just starting out, volunteering is one of the best ways to get involved, learn, and contribute to something meaningful in your community.

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering at Grand River Makerspace is about more than just helping out — it’s about shared ownership of a creative space.

As a volunteer, you can:

  • Be part of a growing maker community in West Michigan

  • Learn new tools and skills by being around them regularly

  • Meet people across backgrounds, ages, and experience levels

  • Help lower barriers to access for others

  • Play a direct role in keeping the makerspace sustainable

Many of our most engaged members started as volunteers.

What Do Volunteers Do?

Volunteer roles are flexible and based on your interests, skills, and comfort level. You’ll never be expected to do anything you’re not trained for.

🕒 Space Coverage & Support

  • Staff the space during open hours

  • Welcome members and visitors

  • Give basic tours to prospective members

  • Help maintain a friendly, inclusive environment

🛠️ Internal Projects & Improvements

  • Help with shop organization and layout

  • Build jigs, fixtures, signage, or storage

  • Assist with special projects that improve the space

🔧 Light Equipment Care

  • Basic cleaning and upkeep of tools

  • Assist with routine maintenance (as trained)

  • Flag issues so tools stay safe and functional

🧹 Cleaning & Reset

  • Reset work areas between sessions

  • Help tidy shared spaces

  • Keep the shop usable for the next maker

🤝 Member Assistance (As You’re Comfortable)

  • Answer basic questions

  • Help point members to resources or documentation

  • Share knowledge within your skillset

You don’t need to be an expert — reliability, communication, and a willingness to help matter most.

Who Can Volunteer?

Volunteers come from all backgrounds. You may be a good fit if you:

  • Enjoy being part of a community space

  • Are dependable and communicate clearly

  • Can commit to scheduled shifts

  • Want to learn, help, and contribute

Some volunteer roles may require:

  • Basic safety orientations

  • Tool-specific training

  • Age or supervision requirements

We’ll walk you through expectations during onboarding.

Volunteer Schedules & Commitment

  • Volunteer shifts are scheduled in advance

  • Shifts typically support open hours, events, or projects

  • Time commitments vary depending on role and availability

We value consistency over volume — showing up when you say you will is the most important part.

Community Participation Program

(Volunteer-to-Earn Membership)

We believe access to making shouldn’t be limited by finances alone.

The Community Participation Membership Program allows individuals to earn a reduced-cost membership by committing to a set number of scheduled volunteer hours each month.

This option is designed for people who want deeper involvement and a more accessible path to membership through participation and shared responsibility.

👉 Learn more about the Community Participation Membership Program
(Links to the full program page with detailed requirements, expectations, and application process.)

How to Get Started

  1. Submit a volunteer interest form

  2. Attend a volunteer orientation or onboarding session

  3. Get matched with roles that fit your interests and availability

  4. Start contributing to the space

You don’t need to have all the skills — just a willingness to show up and be part of the team.

Ready to Volunteer?

If you’re interested in volunteering at Grand River Makerspace, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Apply to Become a Volunteer
👉 Learn About the Community Participation Membership

Let’s build this space together.