The Backyard Shop is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, but we operate like a real shop. The difference is where the margin goes: straight into student training, equipment upkeep, and community access. This post explains how we budget the CNC lab without hiding the tradeoffs.
How revenue turns into training hours
We track every fabrication job with two outcomes: the part delivery and the hours of supervised student training. The goal is one paid job equals at least one badge session. When the CNC lab is booked, we schedule student pairs in 3-hour blocks so the supervisor can teach setup, workholding, and inspection without rushing.
What we funded this quarter
- Two new micrometers and a surface plate for first-article checks.
- Additional PPE lockers so students can leave gear on-site.
- A modest stipend for lead student machinists running the evening shift.
The tradeoffs we accept
We decline high-volume production runs even when the numbers look good. Students need repeatable learning cycles, and a high-volume job can overload them. That means slower growth, but it protects the educational mission and keeps quality steady.
How to keep us accountable
Every quarter we publish a public snapshot: jobs completed, students trained, and the percentage of revenue committed to education. The numbers are simple, but the transparency is what keeps the mission real.
