8

Weeks of Paid Experience

20

WEEKS OF INSTRUCTION

CREDENTIALS AVAILABLE

Cc-nc Cc-nc NO COST

To Participate

About The ToolBank Academy

PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

TOOLBANK ACADEMY is a nine-month program that places youth at the center of community revitalization. By combining leadership training, hands-on workforce experience, and real-world civic engagement, the program equips high school-aged participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a lasting impact in their neighborhoods.

Students learn how to design, plan, and execute community projects — culminating in the creation and activation of a Mini-ToolBank: a fully stocked, container-based tool lending hub serving underserved communities.

WHY IT MATTERS & GET INVOLVED

TOOLBANK ACADEMY is more than a youth program — it’s a pipeline for future community leaders and a sustainable model for neighborhood empowerment. It builds equity, strengthens the nonprofit sector, and demonstrates the power of collaboration between nonprofits, government, schools, and corporate partners.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

JEREL STEWART | TOOLBANK ACADEMY PROGRAM COORDINATOR
e: jerel.stewart@toolbank.org
p: 513.246.0015

IMPACT GOALS

Network Network

COMMUNITY

  • Launch a new Mini-ToolBank in a high-need neighborhood.
  • Engage volunteers through youth-led projects.
  • Expand access to tools, reducing waste and maximizing community reuse.

Graduation-cap Graduation-cap

YOUTH

  • Earn potential credit hours and CPR / First Aid certifications.
  • Gain experience in leadership, planning, budgeting, public speaking, and teamwork.
  • Develop civic pride and real-world problem-solving skills.

Program Application Information

Application Timeline

    • DEADLINE EXTENDED: Application Deadline – March 1st
    • December – March, 1st – Application review
    • February 4th  – Classes Begin
    • Enrollment Closes – March 1st

Receive Application Information

  • Sign Up to Receive More Info

    Mail Mail
  • Registration Opens

    Doc-text Doc-text

    Early November 2025

  • December 2025

    Back-in-time Back-in-time

    Reminder to Sign Up

  • Program Begins

    Tools Tools

    January 2026

THE ACADEMY

THIS PROGRAM OFFERS STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND APPLY ESSENTIAL LIFE, LEADERSHIP, AND CAREER SKILLS THROUGH REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES THAT EXPAND AND SUSTAIN THE TOOLBANK’S COMMUNITY-BASED INFRASTRUCTURE.

GOAL: Understand the community ecosystem and learn how to activate it with volunteers.

  • Explore local government, nonprofits, and community councils
  • Conduct asset mapping and needs assessment
  • Identify neighborhood challenges and brainstorm solutions that would benefit from a Mini-ToolBank
  • Learn about strategies for building healthy, clean, and vibrant neighborhoods
    • Climate-safe neighborhoods
    • Pollinators
    • Food Access
    • Tree Canopy, blight and correlation to violence

PARTNERS: Cincinnati Public Schools, Invest in Neighborhoods, HomeBase, City of Cincinnati, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, Youth Councils, Groundworks, Brick Gardens, Cincinnati Zoo

GOAL: Build skills to mobilize and manage community action.

  • Learn about the importance of volunteers
  • Learn to recruit, register, and retain volunteers
  • Create volunteer job descriptions
  • Learn to use Salesforce (technology) to track volunteer engagement

PARTNERS: Cincinnati Association of Volunteer Administrators (CAVA), Cincinnati Cares, United Way of Greater Cincinnati

GOAL: Apply creative thinking and practical knowledge to design a community resource.

  • Learn how to build a case for support and secure resources.
  • Develop a project plan for a neighborhood Mini-ToolBank and measurable outcomes
  • Identify funding sources and write a grant proposal

PARTNERS: OneSource, Leadership Council, AFP, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Bell Tower Consulting

GOAL: Gain financial skills applicable to life and leadership.

  • Learning financial lessons that will lay the foundation for money skills as an adult
    • Build a personal budget
  • Learn basic nonprofit financials
    • Build a project budget

PARTNERS: Bank of America, PNC, First Financial, Warsaw Federal

GOAL: Gain hands-on experience in tool safety, carpentry, electrical, and container outfitting.

  • Collaborate on designing the container exterior, interior layout and ToolBank inventory needs
  • Learn basic safety skills (OSHA 10), tool use, and carpentry skills
    • Frame the container, install shelving, and outfit the interior
  • Understand electrical basics and sustainable power (solar option)

PARTNERS: Elevar, KCB, UC DAAP (optional) Spirit of Construction, Cincinnati Zoo, IBEW, CPS

GOAL: Learn how to plan a professional event and engage stakeholders.

  • Plan and execute a ribbon-cutting event for the Mini-ToolBank
  • Promote the event to engage 100+ community members

PARTNERS: Porton, Cincinnati Chamber, 11 Events, WCPO, Movers & Makers

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