This #givingtuesday, give training, give community, give hope. Donate now!

How Can Craft Businesses Give Back? Would Works as Case Study for Giving

by R.H. Lee December 10, 2019 in Press

How Can Craft Businesses Give Back? Would Works as Case Study for Giving

During this giving season, Craft Industry Alliance staff writer Laura McDowell Hopper interviewed our program director Lee Buchanan about how the craft community supports organizations like ours through both monetary and in-kind donations.  

“As crafters, we all know the positive, life changing power of making something beautiful with your own hands,” Buchanan said. 

Like many social enterprises, revenue from our product sales only covers a portion of our operating costs, leaving about 50-60% of our budget to be covered by donations and fundraising.  While many non-profits are supported by bigger foundations and corporate sponsors, Would Works relies almost entirely on individual donors and in-kind donations from the craft and design community.  

“Consider giving to organizations like ours who are sharing the love of craft with people who really need a positive community, generative creative practice, and the satisfaction of seeing the concrete and beautiful outcome of a hard day’s work.”

The hardwood lumber we use for our products is donated every month by Bohnhoff Lumber, the machining of our products is donated by Offerman Woodshop, the sand paper we use to sand the products is donated by Uneeda Abrasives, the board oil and wax we use to finish the products is donated by Walrus Oil, and even the signed artisan thank you cards that come with the products are donated by Paper Chase Press.  If you happen to get something custom engraved, well that is done on a donated laser etcher that a Would Works volunteer helped us install.  Oh, and where does all of this happen? In a beautiful workshop space that is donated to us by office42 architecture.

In the article Hopper explores other ways that craft businesses around the country can and do give back in meaningful ways.  See the full article here

Want to help support our program?  Donate here

would works volunteer day offerman woodshopLocal LA woodworkers volunteer to machine products for Would Works at monthly volunteer days.





Also in News

WW Featured in 2024 LAist Holiday Gift Guide
WW Featured in 2024 LAist Holiday Gift Guide

November 24, 2024

Did you see? Would Works is featured in this year's LAist Holiday Gift Guide: 12 one-of-a-kind gifts, handcrafted by LA and SoCal artisans

Continue Reading

LIVE from Would Works - Channel 11's Good Day LA!
LIVE from Would Works - Channel 11's Good Day LA!

August 01, 2024

In case you missed it, Channel 11's Good Day LA featured Would Works on the show on July 31, 2024! Newscaster Bobby De Castro came by our shop to interview past and current Artisans and shared with the LA community our mission and vision. The Artisans were a natural in front of the camera!

Continue Reading

Old California Designs Supports New Southern California Workforce
Old California Designs Supports New Southern California Workforce

July 19, 2024

If you have lovingly restored an old Craftsman home, with its dark wood, stained glass, and hand-crafted built-in cabinets, chances are you’re not going to shop for light fixtures at Home Depot.

You’ll make the pilgrimage to Old California in Orange, which individually handcrafts home goods inspired by historical design. 

Continue Reading