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'''ToolBank''' is a registered term used to identify the nonprofit tool lending program model created by the [http://atlanta.toolbank.org Atlanta Community ToolBank]. A ToolBank amplifies the impact of its local charitable sector by lending tools to organizations for use in volunteer service projects and facility maintenance/repair projects. A common ToolBank inventory of equipment might include tools for landscaping, carpentry, plumbing, masonry as well as power tools, ladders, and others. The Atlanta Community ToolBank is currently the largest ToolBank in existence, and lends more than 140 tool types to Atlanta's nonprofit organizations. The available inventory of the Atlanta Community ToolBank can be found [http://atlanta.toolbank.org/Portals/18/TRF.pdf here]. The Atlanta Community ToolBank equips more than 50,000 volunteers per year with its available tool inventory.


{{Infobox non-profit
The ToolBank program model differs from the more common [[tool lending library]] model in that the ToolBank inventory is not open to individals. The ToolBank inventory is designated for the purpose of increasing the impact of the nonprofit sector and less formalized grassroots organizations. Typical users of ToolBank resources include faith-based organizations, public schools, neighborhood organizations, public/private partnerships with community-oriented missions, social clubs with a service mission, gardening clubs, and others. Proof of charitable intent must be provided before accessing ToolBank tools.
| name = ToolBank USA, Inc.
| image = ToolBank wheelbarrows.jpg
| caption = Wheelbarrows lined up at a ToolBank
| founder =
| type = 501(c)(3)
| tax_id = 90-0386790
| registration_id =
| founded_date = 2008
| location = Atlanta,Georgia
| coordinates = {{Coord|33.651196|-84.512680|format=dms}}
| origins = Community Reinvestment, Inc.<br>
Atlanta Community ToolBank
| key_people = Patty Russart, CEO<br>Trey Bearden, CPO<br>Heidi Thompson, President
| area_served = Various US cities
| products =
| services =
| focus =
| method =
| revenue = $929,376
| revenue_year = 2020
| expenses = $950,463
| expenses_year = 2020
| board_of_directors = 12
|num_employees = 5
| funding = Gifts; grants
| homepage = {{URL|https://toolbank.org/}}
| dissolved =
| footnotes = <ref name="facts">{{cite web |title=Nonprofit Explorer |url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/900386790 |website=ProPublica |date=9 May 2013 |access-date=21 January 2022}}</ref>
}}


'''ToolBank USA''' is a not-for-profit organization based in [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]] with a mission to strengthen local communities through the establishment of ToolBank affiliates across the United States and the provision of infrastructure to support affiliates. ToolBank USA affiliates are tool lending resources that serve charitable organizations in their metropolitan areas. ToolBank USA affiliates are stand-alone entities not consolidated with the ToolBank USA. ToolBank USA was established as a [[Nonprofit organization|not-for-profit organization]] on March 27, 2008, in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].
The ToolBank performs three primary functions:


== History ==
1. '''Tool Lending:''' The ToolBank lends tools of all kinds for use in volunteer projects, facility maintenance and improvement projects, community improvement events, and special events.
The Atlanta Community ToolBank, from which ToolBank USA grew out of, originated in Atlanta as an offshoot of a charitable no-cost home repair program known as Community Reinvestment, Inc. (CRI), founded in 1990. CRI's tool inventory grew organically as a result of volunteers donating equipment in support of the program. Local neighborhood associations and churches periodically borrowed CRI's tools for their own cleanup days and volunteer events, giving rise to the core concept of the ToolBank. CRI began offering the ToolBank as a formal program in 1992.<ref name="gen info">{{cite web |last1=Komp |first1=Catherine |title=Tool Lending Program Seeks to Bolster Community Projects |url=https://vpm.org/news/articles/9969/tool-lending-program-seeks-to-bolster-community-projects |website=VPM |access-date=21 January 2022}}</ref>


ToolBank USA was launched by founding grants from [[The_Home_Depot#Philanthropy|The Home Depot Foundation]], The [[United Parcel Service|UPS]] Foundation, [[Stanley Black & Decker]], [[Datapipe]], and REM Enterprise Solutions.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Home Depot Foundation Awards $200,000 Capacity Grant to ToolBank USA |url=https://www.3blmedia.com/news/home-depot-foundation-awards-200000-capacity-grant-toolbank-usa |website=3BLMedia |date=22 May 2014 |access-date=21 January 2022}}</ref><!-- Not crazy about this citation because it comes originally from a Home Depot press release. Kept the statement because it was from a prior revision. -->
2. '''Tool Advocacy:''' ToolBank staff advocates for the complete and timely return of all borrowed tools, to guarantee the long-term sustainability of available inventory. Staff also seeks compensation for lost tools and tools returned late.


===ToolBank Trademark===
3. '''Tool Maintenance:''' The ToolBank performs [[Planned maintenance|routine maintenance]] and repairs on all equipment to ensure good condition and to extend the lifespan of the inventory. This function is typically performed by volunteers and community service workers.
ToolBank is a term [[trademark|trademarked]] for a nonprofit tool lending program model, in which a collection of tools are owned by a nonprofit organization, and lent exclusively to other charitable organizations, not individuals. The ToolBank program model differs from the similar but more broad [[tool library]] model, in which the tool collection is available to individuals. The ToolBank model was initially developed by the Atlanta Community ToolBank.<ref>{{US servicemark|78934493}}</ref>


==Operations==
Through these three functions, local community organizations may benefit by:<br />
Each ToolBank increases the impact of its local charitable sector by lending tools to organizations for use in the fulfillment of their missions. The available inventory of a typical ToolBank includes tools for landscaping, carpentry, plumbing, masonry as well as power tools, ladders, wheelbarrows, and others. The Atlanta Community ToolBank is currently the largest ToolBank with over 200 tool types in its lending inventory. Nine ToolBanks are currently lending tools in the cities of Atlanta, Baltimore, MD, Charlotte, NC, Cincinnati, OH, Houston, TX, Phoenix, AZ, Portland, OR, Richmond, VA, and Chicago, IL.<ref name="gen info" />
ensuring that all participating volunteers are properly equipped;<br />
engaging larger volunteer groups;<br />
performing a broader scope of service projects;<br />
engaging more highly-skilled volunteers; and<br />
eliminating tool purchase, repair, and storage costs.


ToolBank inventories are designated for the purpose of increasing the impact of the nonprofit sector and less formalized grassroots organizations. Typical borrowers of ToolBank tools include faith-based organizations, public schools, neighborhood organizations, public/private partnerships with community-oriented missions, social clubs with a service mission, gardening clubs, and others. Proof of charitable intent is verified prior to accessing ToolBank tools.
'''ToolBank''' is a registered mark of the Atlanta Community ToolBank<ref>US Patent and Trademark Office, Ser#78934493, Reg#3348498. Published for opposition Sept 18, 2007</ref>. The Atlanta Community ToolBank granted a Right to License to [http://www.toolbank.org ToolBank USA] in 2008. ToolBank USA is a nonprofit organization created in February 2008, charged with the successful nationwide replication of the ToolBank program model. ToolBank USA was launched by a founding grant from [http://www.homedepotfoundation.org/ The Home Depot Foundation].

ToolBanks perform three primary functions:

#Tool Lending: The ToolBank lends tools of all kinds for use in volunteer projects, facility maintenance and improvement projects, community improvement events, and special events.
#Tool Advocacy: ToolBank staff advocates for the complete and timely return of all borrowed tools, to guarantee the long-term sustainability of available inventory. Staff also seeks compensation for lost tools and tools returned late.
#Tool Maintenance: The ToolBank performs routine maintenance and repairs on all equipment to ensure good condition and to extend the lifespan of the inventory. This function is typically performed by volunteers and community service workers.

===ToolBank Disaster Services===
In 2014, ToolBank USA launched ToolBank Disaster Services. ToolBank Disaster Services is a mobile tool-lending program that travels to areas effected by disasters to assist with response and rebuilding efforts of other not-for-profit organizations. It can equip thousands of volunteers with needed tools, post disaster, to respond to tragedies such as hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and floods. Trailers carry various hand and power tools, along with personal protective gear.<ref name="gen info" /> The program currently only operates within the United States and its territories.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

[[Image:Barrows.jpg]]


[[Category:Community-building organizations]]
[[Category:Community-building organizations]]
[[Category:Neighborhood organizations]]
[[Category:DIY culture]]
[[Category:Community development]]
[[Category:Volunteering in the United States]]
[[Category:Volunteerism]]
[[Category:Construction]]

Latest revision as of 08:34, 12 November 2023

ToolBank USA, Inc.
Founded2008
Type501(c)(3)
90-0386790
Location
  • Atlanta,Georgia
Coordinates33°39′04″N 84°30′46″W / 33.651196°N 84.512680°W / 33.651196; -84.512680
OriginsCommunity Reinvestment, Inc.
Atlanta Community ToolBank
Area served
Various US cities
12
Key people
Patty Russart, CEO
Trey Bearden, CPO
Heidi Thompson, President
Revenue$929,376 (2020)
Expenses$950,463 (2020)
FundingGifts; grants
Employees5
Websitetoolbank.org
[1]

ToolBank USA is a not-for-profit organization based in Atlanta, Georgia with a mission to strengthen local communities through the establishment of ToolBank affiliates across the United States and the provision of infrastructure to support affiliates. ToolBank USA affiliates are tool lending resources that serve charitable organizations in their metropolitan areas. ToolBank USA affiliates are stand-alone entities not consolidated with the ToolBank USA. ToolBank USA was established as a not-for-profit organization on March 27, 2008, in Georgia.

History

[edit]

The Atlanta Community ToolBank, from which ToolBank USA grew out of, originated in Atlanta as an offshoot of a charitable no-cost home repair program known as Community Reinvestment, Inc. (CRI), founded in 1990. CRI's tool inventory grew organically as a result of volunteers donating equipment in support of the program. Local neighborhood associations and churches periodically borrowed CRI's tools for their own cleanup days and volunteer events, giving rise to the core concept of the ToolBank. CRI began offering the ToolBank as a formal program in 1992.[2]

ToolBank USA was launched by founding grants from The Home Depot Foundation, The UPS Foundation, Stanley Black & Decker, Datapipe, and REM Enterprise Solutions.[3]

ToolBank Trademark

[edit]

ToolBank is a term trademarked for a nonprofit tool lending program model, in which a collection of tools are owned by a nonprofit organization, and lent exclusively to other charitable organizations, not individuals. The ToolBank program model differs from the similar but more broad tool library model, in which the tool collection is available to individuals. The ToolBank model was initially developed by the Atlanta Community ToolBank.[4]

Operations

[edit]

Each ToolBank increases the impact of its local charitable sector by lending tools to organizations for use in the fulfillment of their missions. The available inventory of a typical ToolBank includes tools for landscaping, carpentry, plumbing, masonry as well as power tools, ladders, wheelbarrows, and others. The Atlanta Community ToolBank is currently the largest ToolBank with over 200 tool types in its lending inventory. Nine ToolBanks are currently lending tools in the cities of Atlanta, Baltimore, MD, Charlotte, NC, Cincinnati, OH, Houston, TX, Phoenix, AZ, Portland, OR, Richmond, VA, and Chicago, IL.[2]

ToolBank inventories are designated for the purpose of increasing the impact of the nonprofit sector and less formalized grassroots organizations. Typical borrowers of ToolBank tools include faith-based organizations, public schools, neighborhood organizations, public/private partnerships with community-oriented missions, social clubs with a service mission, gardening clubs, and others. Proof of charitable intent is verified prior to accessing ToolBank tools.

ToolBanks perform three primary functions:

  1. Tool Lending: The ToolBank lends tools of all kinds for use in volunteer projects, facility maintenance and improvement projects, community improvement events, and special events.
  2. Tool Advocacy: ToolBank staff advocates for the complete and timely return of all borrowed tools, to guarantee the long-term sustainability of available inventory. Staff also seeks compensation for lost tools and tools returned late.
  3. Tool Maintenance: The ToolBank performs routine maintenance and repairs on all equipment to ensure good condition and to extend the lifespan of the inventory. This function is typically performed by volunteers and community service workers.

ToolBank Disaster Services

[edit]

In 2014, ToolBank USA launched ToolBank Disaster Services. ToolBank Disaster Services is a mobile tool-lending program that travels to areas effected by disasters to assist with response and rebuilding efforts of other not-for-profit organizations. It can equip thousands of volunteers with needed tools, post disaster, to respond to tragedies such as hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and floods. Trailers carry various hand and power tools, along with personal protective gear.[2] The program currently only operates within the United States and its territories.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Komp, Catherine. "Tool Lending Program Seeks to Bolster Community Projects". VPM. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  3. ^ "The Home Depot Foundation Awards $200,000 Capacity Grant to ToolBank USA". 3BLMedia. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  4. ^ U.S. Service Mark 78,934,493