Humble beginnings

The roots of the ToolBank program concept can be traced back to the early 90s to a small all-volunteer home repair program called Community Redevelopment Inc (CRI) which provided no-cost home repairs for senior homeowners.  Over a few short years of operation, CRI accumulated an impressive arsenal of tools within its warehouse, located within the program’s service area, known as the Peoplestown neighborhood. 

CRI’s close proximity to its clients and its collaborative spirit prompted local churches and neighborhood associations to borrow CRI’s equipment for empty lot cleanups and community improvement projects.  From these simple acts of collaboration, a program was soon designed, and the word ‘toolbank’ was born.

A road-tested program, a bright future

The ToolBank model is distinct from residential lending programs; ToolBank equipment is not accessible by the public.  Instead, the ToolBank is a resource for the charitable sector, so that the city’s infrastructure may dramatically increase its capacity to serve.  The availability of ToolBank tools improves parks, beautifies schools, plants trees, repairs homes, and removes litter.  The ToolBank makes Atlanta a better place to live for everyone.

The Atlanta Community ToolBank currently resides in the original CRI warehouse in Peoplestown.  Boasting more than 140 tool types in its inventory, the Atlanta Community ToolBank is believed to be the largest and most sophisticated tool lending program in the country.  More than 50,000 Atlantans used ToolBank tools last year in an estimated 750 projects of all kinds.

In early 2008, after years of providing informal assistance to dozens of other cities, the Atlanta Community ToolBank created ToolBank USA.  Lessons learned from the Atlanta model have been formally captured, and are ready to be shared with citizens around the country who wish to replicate Atlanta’s success.

And like the Atlanta Community ToolBank and its predecessor CRI, ToolBank USA carries forward the core belief that each resident is an expert on their own community.  The ToolBank model is a simple overlay for active, engaged citizens who wish to achieve more. 

ToolBank USA looks forward to helping you achieve more.