When the Makerspace wants to acquire new tools / equipment that doesn’t fall under consumables (usually < £50) one way to make this happen is through a Pledge Drive. Members all chip in to buy something (with approval of the area techs that it will physically go in, or Directors).
This process helps to ensure there is enough member interest to back it and it is not just one member’s idea. The pledges can 100% fund the purchase or the members can ask Directors for approval to partially fund the purchase.
This is not the only way we buy things, tools can also be purchased without a pledge drive with Director approval where the decision may also be taken to a members meeting before approving.
Some examples of 100% member funded pledge drives:
Examples with a Director match:
Unsuccessful pledge drives: