Make an Impact,

Become a ‘Shed Head!

Support Creative Reuse and Your Local Creative Economy

Sounds Cool, But What is a ‘Shed Head?

‘Shed Heads are more than shoppers — they’re building a better system.


A ‘Shed Head is a person who believes that creative materials shouldn’t end up in landfills — but in classrooms, workshops, and in hands that are ready to make something incredible... or satisfactory (and everything in between).

At The WasteShed, ‘Shed Heads are our monthly donors.

They keep us going: the behind-the-scenes champions who believe that affordable art supplies, creative reuse, and radical community-building are for everyone.

When you become a ‘Shed Head, you help us:

  • Divert tons of usable materials from the landfill every month

  • Keep our shelves stocked with affordable creative supplies

  • Offer low-cost and free programs like Craft Night events, Radical Mending, and Teacher Institute Days

  • Support artists, educators, kids, and curious makers across Chicagoland

It’s not just about creative reuse — it’s about reimagining what’s possible and choosing to build something different: more sustainable, more playful, and more cooperative.


Join the crew. Give monthly and keep creativity out of the landfill!

Why Donate?

The WasteShed is 65% self-supported through sales. For the rest, we depend on donations from our friends to keep our mission thriving. Even modest (under $25) recurring donations by folks in our community make a big difference!

Our grassroots team is small (but mighty), and we want to continue providing responsive support to educators, students, creatives, hobbyists—and everyone in between—in ways that are attentive to Chicago’s changing needs, and independent of scarce and fluctuating nonprofit funding.

How Your Contribution Helps

The WasteShed seeks 300 donors willing to help support our programming with small monthly donations. We feel this to be a more sustainable, impactful, and adaptive way to continue our work.

Your donation allows us to:

  • pay our staff, teaching-artists, and other vetted vendors

  • host arts education and re-skilling workshops

  • build “tinkering” curriculum for students K-12

  • keep providing low-cost & free resources to our community

Can’t commit to a recurring donation?

We hear ya. Consider a one-time contribution!

Checks can be made payable to The WasteShed:

The WasteShed
1754 N Kimball Ave,
Chicago IL 60647
.