Building Momentum in Detroit: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Our Newest ToolBank

DETROIT, MI – The Detroit ToolBank is officially taking shape, and the energy inside the warehouse is nothing short of inspiring. Over the past several weeks, our ToolBank USA team, partners from Ford Philanthropy and The Home Depot Foundation, and their volunteers have been working hard to transform an empty space into a resource hub that will soon support community organizations across Detroit.

This progress is made possible, in large part, by the generous support of our partners at Carhartt, whose investment helped bring the Detroit ToolBank from vision to reality. Their commitment to strengthening communities is woven directly into the foundation of this new site.

Setting the Foundation: Leadership on the Ground

To kick things off, our CEO, Trey Bearden, and his wife, Michaela, joined Director of ToolBank Disaster Services, Bill Hess, and his wife, Sylvie, for a full workday in the new warehouse. Bill captured video of the team assembling racking, printing tool labels, and mapping out the layout that will create an efficient space for Detroit’s tool lending operations.

Bill also gives a heartfelt shout-out to our Charlotte ToolBank and Executive Director, Maureen, for sharing extra tools and equipment to help Detroit stock its first wave of inventory. It’s a perfect example of the power of our national network: when one ToolBank grows, the entire system rallies behind it.

Innovative Storage Solutions Take Shape

The next phase of the build-out brought in essential support from volunteers with Ford Philanthropy and The Home Depot Foundation. With their help, we installed a new set of tool storage units, including mobile systems on wheels, that will allow Detroit staff to easily shift inventory and reconfigure the warehouse based on incoming project needs.

These flexible storage systems will give Detroit’s community partners access to an organized, adaptable lending environment built to handle everything from neighborhood cleanups to large-scale revitalization efforts.

Carhartt’s investment directly supported the development of these systems and the broader infrastructure needed to make this ToolBank efficient, responsive, and built to last.

Volunteers Bring the Warehouse Space to Life

Bill returned to Detroit to capture another video showcasing the volunteers from Ford and Home Depot in action. From assembling racking to organizing tools, their work is accelerating the warehouse’s readiness for launch. A Ford volunteer featured in the video shared how meaningful it is to see a ToolBank arrive in Detroit, knowing the impact it will have on local organizations and residents.

This phase also incorporated efficient new racking layouts inspired by plans from our Richmond ToolBank. Bringing proven designs from one affiliate to another helps maximize storage space and create a more intuitive flow for staff and volunteers. It’s another way the ToolBank Network works together to lift up every community we serve.

A Community Resource on the Horizon

Thanks to the hands-on commitment from leadership, the generosity of our Charlotte ToolBank partners, the dedicated volunteer power of Ford and The Home Depot, and the foundational support from Carhartt, the Detroit ToolBank is rapidly approaching its tool-lending debut.

Once operational, Detroit nonprofits, schools, neighborhood associations, and community groups will be able to borrow tools and equipment for projects that strengthen and serve the city. This warehouse will soon play a vital role in empowering local changemakers, and we can’t wait to share its progress as we move closer to opening day.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue building a stronger, more connected Detroit ToolBank.