Giving Tuesday 2025: Empower the Next Generation of Makers

Your Giving Tuesday gift provides life-changing STEM training, tools, and mentorship to underserved innovators – turning potential into reality in our community. Donate now.

Why Your Support Matters

Too many Bay Area communities lack access to the skills and networks needed to thrive in tech. Humanmade is San Francisco’s first advanced manufacturing workforce program, breaking down barriers like cost and education. By uniting industry, the city, and our neighbors, we build a diverse pipeline to stable, high-paying STEM careers.

As automation changes the job market, upskilling is urgent. Our free 12-week Next Generation Manufacturing Training (NGMT) program provides 250+ hours of hands-on experience in CNC machining, 3D printing, and design software—no prior experience needed. Many participants overcome obstacles like incarceration or poverty and graduate with certifications and job opportunities. In three years, 240 have completed training; over 80% found jobs, continued their education, or launched businesses. Our student body is 72% BIPOC, 25% women, and 90% extremely low-income—precisely those we aim to uplift. Your gift this Giving Tuesday is a chance to close the opportunity gap and transform lives.

How Your Donation Helps

Your support brings real, measurable outcomes:

  • $50: Covers a week of safety gear, project materials, and meals for one trainee.

  • $100: Funds software licenses and classroom materials to keep training free.

  • $250: Delivers a “Maker for a Day” youth workshop for local high schoolers.

  • $500: Seeds a startup micro-grant for a graduate launching their business.

  • $1,000: Upgrades vital makerspace equipment to increase training capacity.

  • $2,500: Awards a full scholarship for one low-income adult to attend the NGMT program.

Every dollar produces a specific result—connecting your gift to lives changed.

A Story of Impact

By donating to Humanmade, you’re positively changing the lives of those struggling, making a real and lasting impact. Through the NGMT program, Humanmade helps prepare residents with the skills necessary to be competitive as they enter the manufacturing sector.

After completing his service in the army, Jody returned to civilian life with an uncertainty about what direction his future should take. He explored countless possibilities—studying everything from art and computer science to psychology, medicine, and tower-technician skills. Despite this, he still struggled to find work. As he looked for new opportunities, it became clear that his skill set didn’t align with the entry-level roles employers were hiring for. He realized he would need to go back to school yet again. 

Jody completed Humanmade’s workforce development course in 3D printing, and shortly after, he was offered a position as an assistant instructor with the workforce development team. Growth came quickly. Before long, he was promoted to Lead Instructor of the 3D printing program. With stable employment, he was finally able to secure his own apartment and spend consistent, meaningful time with his children.

“I originally came to Humanmade searching for a career that would let me use my creativity to make things,” Jody shares. “What I found was so much more: a career filled with purpose, a community of friends, inspiring peers, empowering leadership, real opportunities for growth, and the ability to live independently and sustainably.”

“Humanmade didn’t just help me build a career—they helped me rebuild my life.”

Corporate Giving & Matching

Empower real change as a business or industry leader. Many companies match employee donations—check to double your impact. Corporate sponsorships and challenge grants from partners like Samsara, Amazon, and Waymo help build a skilled local workforce.

This Giving Tuesday, consider a company match or sponsor a training cohort. Interested in partnering or employee engagement? Contact us. Together, we can expand life-changing programs and open even more doors.

Join the Movement – Act Now

On this Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025, join the global day of giving by investing in real change here at home. Every minute counts – we have just 24 hours to unlock critical funding to kickstart our 2026 programs. Whether you’re an individual maker, NGMT alumni, or a corporate supporter, now is the time to give. Don’t miss this chance to be part of something special.

Donate now to Humanmade and give the gift of opportunity. Your support today will spark innovation, hope, and a brighter future for our neighbors.

Together, let’s empower the next generation of inventors, designers, and makers – one donation at a time.