Welcome to The Tinker Foundation
Tinker is a social enterprise focused on empowering the Donaldsonville community. Not sure what a social enterprise is? That’s okay—we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn more about our mission, the community we support, and how you can help us make a difference.
Our Mission
Tinker isn’t just a business—we’re a movement.
As a social enterprise dedicated to the people of Donaldsonville, Tinker uses revenue from our products, services, and memberships to drive change in the community.
Simply put, a social enterprise is a business that exists to solve social or community challenges while being financially sustainable.
Unlike a nonprofit, a social enterprise generates its own revenue rather than relying on donations or grants, allowing it to grow its impact independently. And unlike a traditional business, a social enterprise prioritizes profit only as a means to further its social mission, aiming to create positive change while remaining economically viable.
As a social enterprise, Tinker combines the best of both worlds: the heart of a nonprofit and the scalability of a business. In this unique role, we can grow while making Donaldsonville stronger.
Community Support
At Tinker, we’re passionate about the community we serve. Take a look at a few of the ways we’re making an impact:
Supporting & Housing LOCC
Loving Our Community’s Children is a local nonprofit that tirelessly meets the needs of underserved children in Donaldsonville. Tinker has donated one of our three retail spaces to LOCC at absolutely no cost, giving them a permanent home to store and distribute essential items to kids in need. With Tinker’s help, LOCC can serve more families without the burden of overhead costs.
Providing for Families in Need
Tinker establishes direct partnerships with suppliers to reduce costs and increase accessibility for food, health, and essential goods. We believe every family should have access to fundamental necessities, and we’re taking the steps to make that a reality.
Sowing Self-Sufficiency
People in poverty frequently lack access to the knowledge and resources they need to thrive. Not only does Tinker create job opportunities, but we provide skills training, job placement support, and business mentorship so everyone can find a path to success.
Empowering Local Business & Artisans
At Tinker, we believe in cultivating the community’s artistic and entrepreneurial spirit. That’s why we host pop-ups, vendor markets, and business incubator programs to help entrepreneurs launch, scale, and sustain their businesses.
Collaborating for Positive Change
By joining forces, we can foster positive outcomes for our community’s youth. Tinker works with the sheriff’s department, youth programs, and educators to create positive interventions, education pathways, and crime prevention initiatives.
Restoring Historic Spaces
In the right hands, our history helps pave the way for our future. Tinker invests in historic properties (like our 130-year-old headquarters) and turns them into thriving community hubs that drive local economic growth.
Promoting Community Wellness
For those who don’t have the resources to invest in it, health is often seen as a privilege. But we believe wellness is a fundamental need and an essential part of any thriving community. Tinker offers integrative health services, yoga, fitness, mental health resources, and holistic wellness programs.
Fostering Children’s Growth
Children crave activity and need both physical and intellectual stimulation to thrive. Tinker provides free & low-cost kids’ programming, like hands-on STREAM education, sensory play, and enrichment activities so every child has access to learning and creativity regardless of income level.
The Tinker Building
The Tinker Building is our mission in action.
As lifelong tinkerers, we’ve spent years learning, building, and growing. Now, we've transformed our experiences into a space dedicated to fostering growth and collaboration. In the Tinker Building, we multiply opportunities, foster connections, and make dreams accessible. Whether you’re starting a business, selling your creations, exploring a passion, or hosting an event, the Tinker Building is designed to support you in your journey.
Tinker Spaces: Where ideas come to life
Tinker Spaces reimagine traditional leasing with our community at the center.
Sell Your Creations
Sell your handmade goods, artwork, or products in a place your creativity is celebrated. Tinker Spaces provide a venue for your work to reach a community that values artisans like you.
Offer Your Services
Let us support you while you grow your side hustle or small business. Whether you're a designer, photographer, consultant, or creative entrepreneur, we’re here to help you thrive.
Test Your Ideas
Dip your toes into entrepreneurship with flexible, affordable spaces designed to fit your schedule. Tinker spaces exist to remove barriers, giving you the tools to explore your passion and bring your ideas to life, regardless of where you’re starting from.
Vendor Network
Tinker is committed to enriching lives and strengthening our community—but we can’t do it without your support.
Every membership fuels our mission. By becoming a member, you support local nonprofits like LOCC and provide resources for families in need. You create opportunities, mentor budding entrepreneurs, and foster learning and growth for children. Being a Tinker member is about more than just the personal benefits: it’s about giving an entire community the chance to thrive.
Vendor Network
Tinker is proud to work with local makers, artists, and businesses to bring unique products and experiences to our community.
Our vendor network is all about collaboration, creativity, and growth—because when we support each other, everyone thrives. Our partner-friendly approach ensures vendors take home the lion’s share of each sale, so they can focus on crafting, innovating, and growing their brand. Meanwhile, shoppers can be confident their purchases support small business owners. It’s a win-win structure designed with our community’s growth in mind.
Do you have a product or service to offer, but need a platform? Apply to be part of our vendor network! Tinker provides the building space, handles overhead, and creates a welcoming environment that draws customers in—all to help you shine.
Click here to review our vendor agreement.
