FUBAR Labs launches drive to raise $15,000 and add 27 members by July 1

New Jersey’s first makerspace is seeking emergency support to stay open after 16 years of community STEM programming in North Brunswick. FUBAR Labs needs 27 new members and $15,000 by July 1 to stabilize finances and keep classes, workshops and open-hack sessions going.

Why it matters: - FUBAR Labs says it needs new funding and members to avoid shutting its doors after 16 years serving North Brunswick and the broader New Jersey maker community. - The nonprofit runs hands-on STEM and industrial arts programs in a region where such training is less common in schools. - The space gives members and the public access to tools, classes and workshops that support learning, experimentation and community building.

What happened: - FUBAR Labs launched a fundraising and membership drive on June 9, 2026. - The nonprofit wants 27 new members and $15,000 by July 1 to stabilize finances. - FUBAR Labs is New Jersey’s first makerspace and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. - The organization was founded in 2009 and has operated for 16 years without paying anyone a salary.

The details: - FUBAR Labs publishes a continuous calendar of classes, workshops, study groups and events on Meetup at Meetup listings. - The programs are open to anyone and are often free or offered at material cost. - Regular activities include electronics, computer-aided design, robotics, woodworking and AI. - Open Hack sessions run Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. - The space accepts walk-ins during Open Hack sessions, with or without a project. - The facility includes a wood shop, metal shop, 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters, lathes, mills, welding equipment and a full electronics bench. - Members can use the tools around the clock, and the public can access them during open hours. - The group says every dollar donated or paid in dues goes directly to keeping the space open, funding activities and serving the community. - Basic membership costs $50 per month and includes access during open hours. - Full membership costs $110 per month and includes 24/7 key access. - The nonprofit accepts tax-deductible donations and PayPal contributions, and it encourages employer donation matching. - FUBAR Labs is located at 1510B Jersey Ave, North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902.

Between the lines: - FUBAR Labs has become more than a makerspace. It functions as a community hub where beginners and experienced makers learn from one another. - Leadership says the organization is facing higher rents, energy costs and insurance expenses. - The drive also reflects a broader concern that local hands-on skills and industrial arts are disappearing from mainstream education. - The organization’s long volunteer-run model has kept overhead low, but it also leaves little cushion when costs rise.

What’s next: - FUBAR Labs is urging the public to join as members or donate by July 1. - The organization is also seeking employer matching gifts to close the gap. - If the campaign succeeds, the makerspace says it can remain open and continue programming for another generation of New Jersey makers.

The bottom line: - FUBAR Labs is racing to secure enough monthly members and cash now to keep a rare community STEM space alive in central New Jersey.