Help Save Noisebridge: A Bay Area Icon Since 2007

We have 30 days to save one of North America's original hackerspaces.

For nearly 18 years, Noisebridge has been more than a hackerspace—we've been a community anchor, a launchpad for innovation, and a home for makers, thinkers, and dreamers in San Francisco's Mission District. But right now, we're in crisis. We have one month of runway left before we close our doors forever.

Our Story

Noisebridge opened in 2007 as one of the first hackerspaces in North America, inspired by the legendary European hackerspaces Metalab and c-base. Since then, we've been a space where anyone—regardless of background or resources—can learn, create, collaborate, and innovate. We’ve hosted award-winning research that's been recognized at top-tier academic conferences. We've launched weather balloons to 70,000 feet. We've been the birthplace of countless startups, art projects, and community initiatives. We've taught thousands of people to code, solder, build, and dream bigger. From our Circuit Hacking Mondays to the Stupid Hackathon, from our music studio to our new woodshop—we've always been a place where "yes, and..." beats "no, you can't."What Happened in 2020, we made a bold move: we relocated to a larger space to serve our growing community better. Then the pandemic hit. Like many community organizations, we lost critical membership during lockdowns and the subsequent years of uncertainty. Recently, we lost access to $100,000 in funds that we had been counting on—a devastating blow that's brought us to this moment. But here's the thing: we're not ready to give up.

The Comeback

Over the past year, we've been building momentum. We've made significant capital investments in our space:

-Opened a brand new woodshop for our maker community

-Installed ADA-compliant door access to make our space more inclusive and welcoming to everyone

We're growing our membership again. The energy is back. The projects are happening. The community is here. We have a clear path to sustainability—we just need to bridge the gap between now and then.

What We Need

Goal: $50,000These funds will keep our doors open while we continue growing our membership to match our monthly expenses. We're not asking you to fund us forever—we're asking you to help us bridge this gap so we can get back to financial stability. Every dollar brings us closer to:

✅ Keeping the lights on and the doors open

✅ Maintaining our tools, equipment, and workspaces

✅ Continuing our free and low-cost classes and workshops

✅ Preserving a community space that's served thousands

What's At Stake If Noisebridge closes,

San Francisco loses

A pioneering hackerspace with nearly two decades of history

A free, accessible community workspace for makers and learners

Weekly meetups, workshops, and classes that serve hundreds of people

A proven model for anarchistic, consensus-based community organizing

An anchor institution in the Mission District

More than that—the people who depend on Noisebridge lose a home. Students lose a place to learn. Artists lose a place to create. Entrepreneurs lose a place to prototype. The curious lose a place to explore.

Why This Matters

Hackerspaces like Noisebridge are endangered. Real estate is expensive. Community organizing is hard. Funding is uncertain. But the value we provide—the human connections, the learning, the innovation, the pure joy of making things—is irreplaceable. We're not just a workspace. We're proof that collaborative, open, anarchistic community spaces can thrive. We're a model that's inspired hackerspaces around the world. If we close, that light goes out. And we're not ready to let that happen.

How You Can Help

Donate today. Every contribution—whether $5 or $5,000—brings us closer to our goal. Share this campaign. The more people who know about Noisebridge's situation, the better our chances.

Visit us.

If you're in the Bay Area, come see what we're all about. Tuesday nights are our open house. Become a member. Ongoing support is how we'll achieve long-term sustainability.

Our Commitment

We're not just asking for a handout. We're asking for a bridge. We have a plan to reach financial sustainability within the year by growing our membership base. We've already made significant investments in our space and our community. We're doing the work. We just need time. Please help us keep Noisebridge alive.

FAQ

Q:Is Noisebridge a nonprofit?

A: Yes, Noisebridge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation may be tax-deductible.

Q: What happens if you raise more than $50,000?

A: Extra funds will go toward building a reserve fund to prevent future crises and investing in equipment and improvements that serve our community.

Q: Can I visit Noisebridge?

A: Absolutely! We're open to the public. Check our website for current hours and upcoming events.

Q: How is Noisebridge governed?

A: We operate on anarchistic principles with consensus-based decision-making. All members have equal say in how the space is run.

Q: What makes Noisebridge different from other maker spaces?

A: We're radically inclusive, completely open, and run by consensus. There are no gatekeepers. If you want to learn something or build something, you're welcome here.

Thank you for believing in community, creativity, and collaboration.

Thank you for helping save Noisebridge.

Noisebridge is located in San Francisco's Mission District. Learn more at noisebridge.net