The Houston ToolBank is a nonprofit capacity building organization. We build capacity in three ways: tool and resource lending for community-based projects; strategic partnerships with local schools for training and improvement projects; and disaster preparedness, response and recovery support.

As the only nonprofit tool lending program in Southeast Texas, the ToolBank fills a unique gap in the city. Many organizations have their own equipment that meets their day-to-day needs but they do not share their inventory. The only comparable offerings are for-profits that rent items at costs that are prohibitive to nonprofits. The ToolBank has by far the most comprehensive, extensive and flexible inventory in town. Generally, we charge a 3% handling fee per week, which means a member can borrow $1000 worth of tools for $30, with fees waived for disaster related orders.

The ToolBank's school improvement projects leverage our extensive inventory to provide hands-on projects to Title 1 schools. We work closely with each school to define project scope, and flex our resources and volunteers to meet their needs, such as beautification efforts, or builds like foldaway desks to be sent home, or on-campus picnic tables and garden beds. While there are many nonprofits who offer volunteer opportunities for students and teachers, most are more specialized. Our approach to projects tailored to the individual schools’ need is a unique and valuable resource.

The ToolBank specializes in disaster response by maintaining an inventory of critical tools needed before, during and after a disaster. And, while there are many organizations focusing on disaster preparedness and recovery across Southeast Texas, the ToolBank offers the only option for organizations to have disaster recovery tools pre-positioned at their location before landfall of a major storm at no-cost.