TOOLBANK NETWORK NEWS – FEBRUARY 2025

🚀2024 ToolBank Network & Disaster Services Impact🛠️💙

In 2024, the ToolBank Network and ToolBank Disaster Services (TDS) made a significant impact by providing tools, equipment, resources, and expertise that empowered thousands of organizations and volunteers to strengthen communities nationwide.

Across the ToolBank Network, more than $18.4 million worth of tools were borrowed, equipping 346,478 volunteers to complete 28,944 service projects. These tools supported 2,113 community-based organizations, helping them stretch their budgets further and focus on making a difference through their missions. From revitalizing public spaces to supporting housing repairs and disaster recovery, ToolBanks provided the essential equipment needed to turn vision into action.

ToolBank Disaster Services (TDS) continued its critical role in disaster relief and recovery, ensuring that impacted communities had the tools they needed to clean up and rebuild. In 2024 alone, TDS deployed over $1.3 million worth of tools at no cost, waiving $442,487 in tool handling fees. This number increased by almost $500,000 from 2023. This support equipped 23,461 volunteers to complete 7,434 projects, directly aiding 80,754 people and positively impacting over 459,000 lives. By partnering with 70 community-based organizations, TDS played a vital role in disaster response, recovery, and resilience-building efforts.

These numbers represent more than just tools—they reflect real-world change, from restoring communities after disasters to empowering nonprofits to serve more people. By providing the right tools at the right time, ToolBank is building stronger, more resilient communities—one project at a time.

🏗️BUILDING CHANGE 2024 STATS: Impact in Action!🛠️💙

In just one day, our corporate volunteers made a difference—literally! Throughout 2024, ToolBank provided tools and equipment to 50 build events. The items built were donated to local nonprofits, providing much-needed outdoor furniture and community enhancements.

🙌 4,800 Volunteers Equipped

📐 1,386 Total Items Built

🛠️ What We Built:

🥪 600 Picnic Tables

🏞️ 550 Park Benches

🪑 129 Adirondack Chairs & Benches

🏕️ 46 Modern Outdoor Tables & Chairs

🌱 38 Garden Beds

🐶 15 Dog Agility Courses & Dog Beds

🎯 8 Cornhole Boards & Horseshoe Pits

Every build beautifies communities, nonprofit locations, and gathering spaces while providing a much-needed team-building experience!

LEARN MORE ABOUT BUILDING CHANGE

Check out what’s going on at each of our ToolBanks across the nation. Scroll down to each affiliate and expand the text block to read more about your favorite ToolBank team. All of our affiliates are doing amazing work and we can’t wait to share their updates with you monthly.

Make sure and scroll through the images to the right of our affiliate updates. Most of the updates come with a couple of images related to their article.

Atlanta ToolBank Update:

The Atlanta Community ToolBank has had a busy and impactful year, lending $2.5 million worth of tools to empower communities across Atlanta. Highlights include welcoming Jean Arnold as the new Director of Tool Lending and Julia Mayfield as the new Director of Development and hosting over 430 youth at no cost during our Youth Summer Series, where they learned tool safety through hands-on projects. Our team also embraced community events like RayDay, celebrated the retirement of our forklift “Blue” as it joined CHARM, and enjoyed moments of camaraderie at events like the Boards & Barbecue cornhole tournament, which featured lively music and friendly competition.

Baltimore ToolBank Update:

In 2024, the Baltimore Community ToolBank served 303 distinct community-based partners with over 900 orders to empower more than 3,000 projects across the Mid-Atlantic. On-site at their facility, stormwater management features allowed the Baltimore ToolBank to re-purpose more than 1 million gallons of runoff, preventing it from becoming harmful pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

In more than 12 years of tool loaning, the Baltimore ToolBank has served more than 800 distinct organizations with tools, equipment and expertise. All tools are loaned from their sustainable warehouse facility, where they’ve saved more than 10 million gallons of stormwater from becoming pollution since 2015.

Charlotte ToolBank Update:

It is amazing how one day can change the story of an entire year. That day was Friday, September 27, 2024 when Hurricane Helene arrived in the mountains of North Carolina. That day changed everything in the Western part of the state and the Charlotte ToolBank mobilized in response. Charlotte ToolBank member agencies were on the road immediately to provide whatever aid they could and they called the ToolBank to help. The first order of generators and gas cans rolled out of the ToolBank on Sunday, September 29th, 30 more orders would follow serving 12 different organizations. Nearly 1,000 volunteers used 2,076 ToolBank items while giving just shy of 6,000 hours of their time to recover, rebuild, and restore Western North Carolina. Even though the calendar has changed, the ToolBank’s mission to support after a disaster has not!

Cincinnati ToolBank Update:

In 2024, the Cincinnati ToolBank made a profound impact on the community by equipping 25,465 volunteers and supporting 5,043 projects with nearly $1.5 million worth of borrowed tools. The organization expanded its reach with new initiatives like their Tool Training Center, which provided workforce development opportunities for over 160 individuals, including young adults exploring careers in the trades. Member agencies collectively saved over $1.4 million by borrowing tools, allowing them to focus more resources on their missions. Partnerships with groups like Habitat for Humanity, the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, and the Reds Community Fund led to transformative projects, from home revitalizations to tree plantings and youth-focused community makeovers. Signature events, including the 10th Annual Hammers & Ales and Par-Tee for the ToolBank, rallied supporters and raised crucial funds. Through innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to service, the ToolBank continued to empower nonprofits and volunteers to build a stronger, more connected Cincinnati.

Houston ToolBank Update:

In 2024, the Houston ToolBank celebrated 10 years of empowering community volunteers by providing tools for change and skills development training. They shared over 61,000 tools with 400 nonprofit organizations, saving their partners more than $3.3 million to reinvest in mission-driven work. The ToolBank responded to disasters like the May Derecho and Hurricane Beryl by providing 3,861 tools to 58 nonprofit partners. They also conducted 36 unique tool training sessions, equipping individuals with critical life and independent living skills. A highlight of the year was receiving the prestigious Neighborhood Builders award from Bank of America, enabling them to expand their team, invest in a new pickup truck, and grow their Neighborhood Tool Hub and Delivery program.

Magic City ToolBank Update:

2024 marked an exciting beginning for the Magic City ToolBank as they soft-launched in August, bringing much-needed tool access to Birmingham’s nonprofit and volunteer community. In just five months, they welcomed nearly 20 member agencies and loaned out 553 tools, empowering local organizations to take on meaningful projects that strengthen the city. One of the most rewarding milestones of their first year was hearing directly from members about the impact of having a ToolBank in Birmingham. The gratitude and success stories from these organizations reaffirm the importance of the ToolBank’s mission and highlight the difference they are making in the community. A standout event this year was their partnership with Neighborhood Housing Services Birmingham to host a homeowner education program. The ToolBank team led a hands-on workshop, teaching essential home repair skills to local residents—demonstrating not just the power of tools, but the power of knowledge. As they look ahead to 2025, the Magic City ToolBank is excited to continue growing, serving more member agencies, and ensuring that tools never stand in the way of community progress. Their impact in just a few months has been remarkable, and even greater things are on the horizon.

New Orleans ToolBank Update:

The New Orleans ToolBank’s success last year was remarkable. They saw a rise in member agencies, reflecting the growing trust in and reliance on their services. The volume of tools borrowed rose, demonstrating the increasing demand and utilization of ToolBank resources. The retail value of the tools borrowed also saw a significant uptick, underscoring the economic impact and value provided to the community. This heightened activity is a testament to ToolBank’s essential role in empowering community organizations to achieve their goals. New Orleans strategic partnerships with governmental bodies, corporate sponsors, and community groups have been pivotal in enhancing their programming and outreach. These collaborations have enabled the ToolBank to extend their support to a broader range of initiatives, fostering a spirit of cooperation and collective growth within the New Orleans community. As they continue to build on this momentum, the New Orleans ToolBank remains committed to being a cornerstone of community development and support.

Phoenix ToolBank Update:

In 2024, the Phoenix ToolBank saved nonprofits over $3.8 million in retail costs, a 149% increase from the previous year, through lending out 52,259 tools across 858 orders, equipping 27,065 volunteers. Of this major increase in tool orders, 40% included special event equipment. The organization was also named ToolBank Affiliate of the Year, achieving record milestones in tools loaned, funds raised, and community impact across all other affiliates. The ToolBank also earned major recognition, with Executive Director Jana Ferraro being named a Nonprofit Leader of the Year finalist by AZ Business magazine’s Champions of Change Awards, standing out among 200+ nominees.

Richmond ToolBank:

In 2024, the Richmond ToolBank served as a community hub, equipping hundreds of nonprofits and thousands of volunteers with the tools and resources needed to make a difference. They empowered 156 agencies with over 23,000 tools, helping complete 1,162 projects. With the support of 1,061 volunteers, the ToolBank team built 736 pieces of outdoor furniture and hosted 43 ToolBOX workshops, equipping more than 300 current and future homeowners with valuable skills. Their annual Hammers & Ales event was a smashing success, with 40 teams building 38 pieces for their community. And to top it all off, Richmond exceeded their fundraising goal, raising over $23,000 at the event! Richmond was also awarded the prestigious IMPACT100 grant for $100,000 to expand their ToolBOX program.

Windy City ToolBank:

In 2024, the Windy City ToolBank made a transformative move to a more centrally located warehouse, significantly enhancing their ability to serve those who need their tools the most. Now housed alongside other nonprofit partners, their expanded space allows for greater collaboration and impact. This year, they also hosted a Grainger Bucket Build and Distribution, equipping local organizations with essential tools to drive community projects forward. Additionally, their Building Change event—powered by The Home Depot, Grainger, and UPS—brought together volunteers and resources to support vital initiatives across Chicago. With a stronger foundation and a growing network of partners, the Windy City ToolBank continues to build resilience and opportunity across their community.