MakerUSA FAQs
Here are answers to key questions that can help you determine whether partnering with MakerUSA is a good fit for your organization or institution.
Who is eligible to submit an LOI?
The eligible organizations are highlighted at the top of the Innovation Sites page.
MakerUSA is designed to support communities in addressing gaps in access and opportunity and is specifically focused on partnering within underserved communities and regions. From a student learners standpoint, the model is focused on creating opportunities at the intersection of maker education, entrepreneurship and community-led innovation for women, people of color, and those from rural and/or low-income communities. Mission-aligned Innovation Sites will serve these student learner populations.
What are MakerUSA’s priorities for placing a Program Manager, including geographic priorities?
MakerUSA is focused on partnering with communities outside major economic hubs and will aim to support those that have been most marginalized by unequal access and opportunity. This includes rural and/or low-income communities.
What projects can a Program Manager focus on?
The PM role is designed to be flexible and well-supported across a range of focus areas. Learn more about the PM role and examples of projects here.
Is there a cost-share for Program Manager placement?
Yes, there is a $6,000 cost-share per full-time Program Manager, which is approximately 10% of the direct expense of the PM (salaries and pay structures will vary slightly by market and by scope of work). However there are multiple options in the LOI for you to consider, including a sliding scale for the cost-share based on financial need. A reduction in the cost-share could limit sponsorship procurement, however the intent of the model is to reduce barriers to entry and increase opportunity.
What is the compensation and benefits for a Program Manager?
Program Managers will be full-time employees on 12-18 month renewable contracts. Program Managers will be paid a salary which will vary based on several different factors including the scope of work and skill set needed for a specific PM role and cost of living. On average, a PM salary will range from $45,000- $55,000 (FTE equivalent), in addition to healthcare and additional benefits, including contract completion bonus.
Who is the direct employer of a Program Manager?
MakerUSA Inc. (actively incubated within the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship) is the direct employer of Program Managers.
Who is the day-to-day manager of the Program Manager?
A designated staff member of the Innovation Site is the day-to-day manager of the PM (a formal MOU between MakerUSA Inc. and the Innovation Site will be completed prior to the PM’s start date). PMs will also hold regular check-ins with MakerUSA staff and receive ongoing consultation and support for their projects and scope of work.
Where will the Program Manager be recruited from?
Recognizing the value and importance of investing in local talent, uplifting local culture and lived experience and creating pathways to retaining local talent, we will prioritize recruitment from the local community. Depending on the scope of work for the PM, national recruitment is possible as well.
What stage in program development do we need to be in to submit an LOI?
Program Managers can be placed to support across all ranges of development. This includes the early design stage (even prior to the existence of a formal makerspace or other maker programming). It could include the piloting of a new model or the scaling of an established program(s). The model is designed to be flexible to meet the partner community where they are in their innovation ecosystem development.
Do we need a makerspace or other maker programming to submit?
No. PMs may support the design of a future makerspace or maker programming. There are also many successful models, including those led by institutions of higher education, that are based on partnership with local community-based makerspaces or do not include a formal space at all.
What happens after we submit the LOI?
Your LOI will be reviewed within 10 business days, and pending mission alignment, we will share with a draft pending Innovation Site profile for your review and approval. With your approval, it will be featured on the MakerUSA website. MakerUSA will lead on sponsorship procurement to cover the direct expenses of the Program Manager, and we encourage you to collaborate with us, including engaging local/regional funders in that process. Any formal proposals submitted to sponsor a PM with your institution will not be submitted without your review and approval. With sponsorship secured, we will work together to identify the cohort start date that works best for your organization.
Prior to any placement of a PM, mission-aligned Innovation Sites, will be eligible to participate in the MakerUSA Learning Network, a national community of practice that will uplift tools, resources and best practices from across our network.
Is the LOI submission binding?
No. The LOI is not binding for either party.
How long does it typically take to complete an LOI?
There is limited written narrative in the LOI, with the exception of a statement of your organization/institution's mission as well as the general projects/goals that you hope a Program Manager could achieve in your community. Following consideration of your goals at the intersection of maker education and entrepreneurship, this writing portion should take approximately 20 minutes. There are several multiple choice questions to denote your preference on different questions as well as general information contained in the LOI. In total to read the content, make your selections and share the brief written responses, the LOI should take approximately 45-60 min.
How long will it take to determine if our organization/institution will be receiving a Program Manager?
PM placement is dependent on sponsorship and timing can vary depending on the fit for the role and active proposals or funding that has already been secured. PMs will begin to be placed in regular cohorts, with a target of cohorts starting every 6-9 months beginning in 2023. On average, from the time of LOI submission, it will take between 3-6 months to procure sponsoring for a mission-alignment placement, however this time could be more or less, depending on active grant proposals.
What is the MakerUSA Learning Network?
The MakerUSA Learning Network will bring together organizations and institutions focused on taking a community-driven approach to expanding access to maker education and entrepreneurship experiences for students. The Network will support members at the very early stages of designing and developing maker programming or a makerspace, provide resources and connections for those looking to grow existing efforts and guidance for scaling successful programs and models locally and regionally. The Network will kick-off activities in early Fall 2022.
We won’t be ready for Program Manager placement until 2023, should we still submit?
Absolutely. The MakerUSA model is designed to begin embedding PMs in regular cohorts beginning in 2023. The LOI contains a multiple choice question with several options to denote preference for a preferred (not guaranteed) start date.