A ToolBank® is a local nonprofit organization affiliated with ToolBank USA that stewards a vast inventory of actual tools for use by charities to advance their missions, increase impact, and reduce costs. Available tool inventory includes cordless drills, ladders, rakes and shovels, circular saws and paint trays, and MUCH more. Through quick and reliable access to large quantities of high-quality tools, each ToolBank transforms volunteerism in its area! ToolBank tools are not available for use by individuals; the ToolBank is a resource for the charitable sector.
After proving its charitable purpose, a nonprofit organization may borrow any amount of ToolBank tools for a period of time between one and eight weeks. The borrowing agency pays a tool handling fee equal to 3% of the total retail value of the tools borrowed per week. Late fees apply at 6% per week until the tool is returned, and agencies a required to pay the full replacement cost of unreturned tools. Agencies may borrow ToolBank tools as long as they have no outstanding fees or overdue tools. The ToolBank encourages accountability and encourages partnership through tool lending, and each ToolBank is proud to empower its member agencies with Tools for Change!
The first of many, the Atlanta Community ToolBank celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2011, and now equips over 45,000 volunteers with tools every year. With a tool inventory valued at nearly half a million dollars, the Atlanta ToolBank plays a pivotal role for the ToolBank network, exemplifying the profound impact of a mature ToolBank and setting the bar for new ToolBanks across the United States.
ToolBank USA is a national nonprofit organization charged with the replication and advancement of ToolBanks across the country. ToolBank USA facilitates a significant portion of the 'back room' administration for its affiliates, to allow local ToolBank staff to focus on customer service and program excellence. ToolBank USA uses the power of the strong and growing national ToolBank brand to leverage resources for its affiliates, and is the official knowledge base of the ToolBank, collecting and sharing best practices from around the ToolBank network.
ToolBank tools are available solely to charitable organizations, for use in advancing their mission. ToolBank tools may not be used for personal benefit, profit, or pecuniary gain. Individuals are served by programs known as tool libraries: a wealth of resources on tool libraries can be found elsewhere on the Internet. ToolBanks proudly serve shoulder to shoulder with tool libraries, each program allowing the other to excel at their specific competency.
ToolBank USA engages in a city by invitation only. Typically, our staff is contacted by a handful of local individuals who have experienced the benefits of a ToolBank, and has relocated to a city without a ToolBank. ToolBank USA staff then performs an informal assessment of the city in question, to ensure a good 'fit' with the ToolBank model: size of the city, the networking capacity of the inquirers, the current state of tool lending in that city, among other factors. The most important element is the enthusiasm level of the inquirers: they champion of the local ToolBank effort, and their desire to bring a ToolBank to their community must be infectious!
An expert partner! ToolBank USA is not simply a replicator. Our staff are seasoned collaborators who work closely with local leadership to build a sustainable ToolBank in your city. Our resources include:
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Startup funds |
Tool tracking software |
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Logistics expertise |
Key funder introductions |
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Tool donations |
Website hosting |
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National network inclusion |
National brand association |
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Unique grant opportunities |
A field-tested program |
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Development consultation |
Operations manual |
And don't forget the opportunity to participate in a strong and growing brand name: ToolBank!
A ToolBank lends tools to charitable organizations, while tool libraries typically lend tools to individuals. Each ToolBank has roughly 150 types of tools, but a very high volume of each tool type. A mature tool library may typically carry hundreds of tool types, but a low volume of each tool type. By providing high volumes of tools, each ToolBank magnifies the impact of volunteerism by enabling larger and more frequent service projects. ToolBanks and tool libraries can not only serve the same metropolitan community, but the resulting cross-referrals for services is likely to significantly increase the impact of both organizations!
Successful implementation of a ToolBank is less about tools, and more about leadership. As ToolBank USA enjoys partnerships with generous tool manufacturers like Stanley Black & Decker and retailers such as Home Depot, the accumulation of tools for a ToolBank's startup inventory becomes less of a challenge with every ToolBank implementation. Your tools will be valuable in the startup process - in fact, they are as good as cash! Yet the real challenge is to identify leaders within your community who can join you to invest the requisite time and resources to launch - and sustain - your local ToolBank.
Yes, the word ToolBank is the protected intellectual property of ToolBank USA, as per the US Patent and Trademark Office, Ser#78934493, Reg#3348498 [Published for opposition Sept 18, 2007]. As the national parent organization, ToolBank USA is tasked with protecting the ToolBank brand and logo, and will seek to do so in a respectful and collaborative capacity wherever possible.
ToolBank USA is very proud of its custom tool tracking platform, generously underwritten by the UPS Foundation and REM Enterprise Solutions. ToolBank USA does not currently sell or license its platform.
While a ToolBank and a tool library can (and should!) serve the same community, ToolBank USA has committed its limited resources to the advancement of the ToolBank model. An abundance of resources on the tool library model are available on in the Internet.
ToolBank USA is not presently offering the "ToolBank as a program" as an implementation scenario.