Microsoft Donates $120,000 for Library Makerspace

The donation will help the Laramie County Library Foundation establish a makerspace at its Cheyenne location.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Philanthropy

Interior of a bright workshop with a longarm quilting frame, a row of 3D printers, and a laser cutter beneath tall windows showing open sky. — Microsoft donated $120,000 to the Laramie County Library Foundation to establish a makerspace at the Cheyenne location of the Laramie County Library. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Microsoft has donated $120,000 to the Laramie County Library Foundation to help establish a makerspace at the Cheyenne location of the Laramie County Library. The shared workshop will give community members access to high-end tools for their projects.

Why it matters

Establishing a makerspace has been a longtime goal of the foundation, which set it as a priority in its 2025-2030 strategic plan. The plan was shaped by input from nearly 500 people across Laramie County.

Microsoft's $120,000 gift is one of several funding sources, alongside repurposed operational funds, foundation contributions, and Laramie County Sixth Penny Tax money. The total budget for the makerspace has not been disclosed.

The players

Microsoft

Microsoft is a global technology company best known for its Windows operating system, Office software and Azure cloud services, and it has a long record of corporate philanthropy and education-focused giving.

Laramie County Library Foundation

The Laramie County Library Foundation is the nonprofit fundraising partner that supports the Laramie County library system in Cheyenne, Wyoming, through donations and community programs.

The details

The donation will be used to buy equipment and materials to furnish the space, which has already had its layout, equipment needs and furnishings identified. Planned equipment includes a longarm quilting system, 3D printers, an AI lab workstation, a laser cutter and engraving machine, and a sublimation printing machine, and the dedicated space will give residents access to experienced staff who know how to use the tools.

2025-2030: The Laramie County Library Foundation's strategic plan sets creating a makerspace as a priority.
Nov. 9, 2026: The library announces Microsoft's $120,000 donation.

Market Landscape

Public library makerspaces have spread as a way to give residents shared access to expensive tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters that individuals rarely own. The Cheyenne project follows that model, pairing donated and public funding with experienced staff who can teach its use.

Cheyenne residents will gain access to shared equipment such as 3D printers and laser cutters once the makerspace opens, without buying those tools themselves. Opening details and usage information will be announced as the project progresses.

The takeaway

Community-funded makerspaces let residents try expensive tools before investing in them, and the Cheyenne project shows how corporate gifts can be paired with public tax dollars and staff expertise. Watch for opening announcements from the library if you want to use the space.