Upcoming Rate Changes at Twin Cities Maker
We know that this is a long post, but it’s also an important one. If it’s easier for you to read as a PDF file with a table of contents please click here.
As you’ve likely seen in previous emails, we’ve been considering changing our dues structure for the past 6 months or so. At our most recent meeting, the board unanimously passed a set of changes to our dues structure. As a small non-profit with a focus on creating opportunities for making, we take changes like this very seriously and have done several surveys to better understand the impact of this change on our members. Rising costs have forced us to increase our membership dues, but we also want to make sure that we are maintaining our financial accessibility to as many people as possible.
We will be instituting the following dues structure, effective on April 4, 2024:
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Level
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Price
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Notes
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Member-Supported 30
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$30/mo
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For those with financial need, not eligible for +1
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Member-Supported 65
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$65/mo
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For those with financial need that are unable to afford our new Monthly Membership level, not eligible for +1
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Monthly Membership
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$85/mo
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Has option for $25/mo +1 add-on
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6 Month Membership
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$460/6mo
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10% discount, has option for $135/6mo +1 add-on
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Please note that we have created a new level at $65/mo, the same as our current rate. We hope that those who would end their memberships due to financial constraints would switch to this level instead.
We will also be discontinuing our annual membership option. Members on this level will be switched to the 6 month level unless they select a different level. Members on the $65/mo level will automatically switch to the $85/mo level when your membership renews after April 4, 2024. If you would like to change levels, please fill out this form.
Your current membership is {current membership} and your next renewal date is {renewal date}. This change will not affect your membership through that date.
Special One-time Add-on!
We are offering a special $800 1-year add-on for anyone who would like to save some money up-front and support the organization. This add-on may be purchased by any member and must be paid before April 4, 2024. If you have an existing membership we will extend your expiration date by 1 year from your current expiration date. After the 1-year add-on, your membership will renew at your existing membership level. Click this link for details and to purchase this special deal. It may take up to two weeks for your account to be updated.
We understand that there are lots of questions about how this will work, so please see below for answers that may be relevant to you. If you have any questions or you believe that these changes will create a significant financial burden for you, please feel free to email ratechange@tcmaker.org. We will continue to communicate and clarify as we hear questions, and will also hold a town hall meeting where you can ask questions about these changes on Thursday, March 7, at 7pm. Please feel join in person at the shop or online at go.tcmaker.org/boardmeeting
Frequently asked questions
How does this affect my membership?
This change affects all membership renewals on or after April 4, 2024. You will receive an email in the next 7 days detailing how this affects your specific membership level and the options you have for switching levels. If you’d like to switch levels now, please fill out this form. In general:
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Current Community-Sponsored 1 ($30/mo) members will not be affected
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Current Monthly ($65/mo) members will be charged $85/mo on your renewal date starting on or after 4/4/2024, or will need to change to another level
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Current 6 Month ($325/6mo) members will be charged $460 on your renewal date starting on or after 4/4/2024, or will need to change to another level
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Current Annual Members will be automatically switched to the 6 month level, or will need to switch to another level
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Any accounts with +1’s will be charged the +1 amount for their level on their first renewal date on or after 4/4/2024. You will need to contact membership to remove your+1 from your account, if you do not want to be charged
What if I can’t afford the $85/mo rate?
If you are unable to afford the $85 rate you may switch to the new $65 plan, that’s what it’s there for! If you’re looking for more information on who the Member-Supported levels are for, please look at the question “Who is eligible for the Member-Supported levels?” below.
Why are you doing this? How do these rates compare to other similar spaces?
We’re doing this because we have to, not because we want to. Whether or not we stay in our current building, our costs are going up considerably. Not only in terms of rent, which just increased by 50%, but also in terms of materials and tool maintenance. We are doing whatever we can to keep our rates low, but we need to raise our membership dues to keep our cashflow sustainable; 80% of our revenue comes from these dues. We have analyzed financial projections and our survey data, finding that this dues structure will keep the organization sustainable while remaining affordable to the greatest number of members.
Even at $85/mo, we think we provide that value and more! The most comparable spaces in the Twin Cities to us are MPLS Make and A Maker’s Place (formerly White Bear Makerspace). Their rates are $230/mo and $250/mo, respectively. Even among makerspaces nationally, we continue to be among the most affordable.
Who is eligible for the Member-Supported levels?
We are committed to providing access to as broad a community as possible, and we don’t believe that there’s a good way for us to identify who has the greatest financial need for these levels. There are myriad situations that can affect people’s budgets–income, family size, debt, medical issues, employment, and more. So instead of implementing an arbitrary income limit or having every member who’d like to use one of the reduced-rate levels fill out a complex form, we choose to trust you. Only you know your financial situation and what you can afford best, and we ask that you choose a level appropriately. We do not do any verification of need for these levels, and have no plans to start. Member-Supported members are considered members exactly the same as all other members are.
That said, we understand that many members would like a better guideline on use of these levels, so below are some recommendations for who we think could benefit from these levels:
How do I switch levels?
You will receive an email in the next seven days specific to your current membership level detailing the options you have for changing levels. If you’re ready to switch levels now, please fill out this form.
Can I pause my membership?
Sort of! If you log into your account at wa.tcmaker.org/Member-Dashboard, there will be a button that says “Cancel Membership.” This will cancel your membership.
If you want to re-join within the following year, you can do so by logging into the same place and selecting your level. If you re-join after one year, you will need to retake New Member Orientation as well as shop orientations.
What will happen to current +1’s?
We will begin charging for +1’s beginning on April 4, 2024, $25/mo for monthly members and $135/6mo for 6 month members. If you would like to remove your +1 from your account in order to avoid this charge, please email membership@tcmaker.org to have them update your membership.
Why did you get rid of the annual option?
The board has decided to remove the annual option to simplify our membership tiers. More membership levels create more work for our membership and IT teams, so we try to keep it simple. With the addition of the second Member-Supported rate, we chose to remove this one.
What is your refund policy?
Twin Cities Maker does not offer refunds once dues are paid, except in exceptional circumstances or if there was a billing error on our part. Canceling your membership before the end of your term is not considered grounds for a refund. All refunds other than billing errors must be approved by the Board. For our full refund policy, see https://wiki.tcmaker.org/en/governance/refund_of_member_dues
Is any part of dues tax deductible?
Great question–we’re not sure. We’ll be discussing this with our lawyer in the near future, and will send an update in a future newsletter, so keep an eye out for that.
Are you considering other ways to increase revenue?
Very much so! We’ve recently started to apply for more grants, and are aiming to send out about one application per month for the rest of the year. We’re also working on expanding our class offerings and exploring other opportunities such as offering paid storage space and sponsorships.
Most of all, we hope to significantly increase our donations in the coming year, and may even do a public radio-style giving campaign. If you’re able, please consider donating!
Have you considered other options for structuring dues?
Yes, we’ve discussed flat rate increases, tying membership rates to income levels, offering discounts for volunteering, pay-as-you-use structures, and more. In the end, we’ve chosen this option to try to keep it simple and it maintains our financial accessibility to the broadest range of people.
How can I help out more?
We’re doing a lot, and we always need help! This year, we’re running more events, teaching more classes, and our membership continues to grow exponentially. And on top of that, we might be building out a new space and moving! As a volunteer-run organization, we always need more people to help:
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If you’re interested in volunteering, please email volunteer@tcmaker.org with your skills, interests and availability. We have lots of things you could help with, from shop projects and manager roles to helping with membership, marketing, and more!
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If you’d like to teach a class, please email events@tcmaker.org. We do a 75/25 revenue split with our teachers, so you’d get to keep 75% the revenue, after expenses!
If you aren’t able to volunteer, please consider donating, every bit counts! Be sure to check if your work matches donations, it’s a great way to increase your impact.