History

The Cincinnati ToolBank

The Cincinnati ToolBank is a nonprofit tool lending program that provides fellow not-for-profit organizations with year-round access to an inventory of tools and special events equipment for use in volunteer projects, fundraisers, facility repairs, grounds maintenance and much more. We provide tools to enhance the charitable sector’s capacity to serve, facilitating hands-on volunteerism in the greater Cincinnati area.

The Cincinnati ToolBank incorporated in 2011 and officially opened its doors to the not-for-profit community in July of 2012. Since opening in 2012, the Cincinnati ToolBank has helped more than 700 nonprofit agencies in Greater Cincinnati are complete nearly 40,000 projects by providing them with quick and reliable access to an inventory of high-quality tools and equipment. By providing this invaluable and much-needed resource to our member agencies they have been able to equip more than 392,000 volunteers with nearly $12.5M worth of tools!

The Cincinnati ToolBank maintains a 25,000 sq ft warehouse on Seymour Avenue with an inventory comprised of more than 330 different types of tools and equipment in volumes large enough to equip thousands of volunteers at a time. Access to ToolBank tools eliminates the need for agencies to incur the expense of purchasing, repairing, and storing tools. By reducing the costs associated with service projects it allows these agencies to allocate more of their resources on their mission.

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  • 1991

    Community Redevelopment, Inc.

    Friends incorporate as CRI, with the mission of helping homeowners maintain a warm, safe, and dry home; CRI amasses a small warehouse full of donated tools in support of its mission and begins lending to other local charitable groups. This framework will eventually shape the Cincinnati ToolBank!

  • The Beginning of Cincinnati ToolBank

    Cincinnati ToolBank (CTB) and founding Board of Directors raise $175K and begin Executive Director search.

    2011

  • 2012

    Cincinnati ToolBank Doors Open

    CTB hires Executive Director, Kat Pepmeyer, and CTB doors officially open – home to Cincinnati’s only tool lender solely dedicated to equipping the charitable sector.

  • Fundraising

    CTB is named a finalist for the Impact 100 Award and two of three annual fundraisers, Banking on Our Community and Hammers & Ales are launched.

    2014

  • 2015

    Local Partnerships

    CTB accepts a $25,000 tool donation from P&G and becomes a partner for the Reds Community Makeover; CTB also launches our third fundraiser, Building on Our Community.

  • Strategic Planning

    CTB staff and Board develop a 3 yr. strategic plan that identifies facility needs as a top priority; CTB staff works with GBBN to maximize current warehouse efficiencies.

    2016

  • 2017

    Staffing Up

    CTB Board votes to increase staff to include 3 full-time positions.

  • Future Plans & Celebration of Success

    CTB Board and staff further develop the strategic plan and begin assessing the current facility and future needs of CTB. CTB has its most successful year since opening by helping more than 211 nonprofit agencies to equip 45,109 volunteers, over 2,795 completed projects. The total value of tools borrowed was $1,621,935.

    2018

  • 2019

    New Warehouse: 1682 Seymour Ave

    The Cincinnati ToolBank moves to a three-floor building with 25,000 total square ft. located in Roselawn. Our Seymour Avenue building has ample storage space, two garage doors (loading dock), suitable beginning office space, and a parking lot.

  • 2nd Floor Build-Out

    The Cincinnati ToolBank brought together multiple partners to complete a full build-out of our 2nd floor. Officially creating the ToolBank’s new Training Center, Community Space, Co-working & Office Spaces, and Conference Rooms.

    2023

  • 2024

    Facility Rentals Begin

    The Cincinnati ToolBank officially expands it’s services and begins offering Facility Rentals for our Training Center, Community Space, Office Spaces, and Conference Rooms. Increasing resources available to Cincinnati’s not-for-profit community.

  • Launch of the Mini-ToolBank!

    The Cincinnati ToolBank, and multiple community organizations came together to officially launch the first Mini-ToolBank in the neighborhood of Bond Hill! This initiative strives to bring tools closer to community members, reduce the need for transportation to access needed tools, and enhance local community based projects and events.

    2025

The ToolBank Network

The Cincinnati ToolBank is the fourth affiliate of ToolBank USA, the parent organization of the growing national network of ToolBanks. ToolBank affiliates are modeled after the highly successful Atlanta ToolBank, which has served Greater Atlanta’s charitable sector for 30 years. The Charlotte ToolBank was the first affiliate to join the network in 2011, followed by Baltimore and Cincinnati in 2012. By 2015, the network had doubled in size with ToolBanks opening in Richmond, VA, Houston, TX, and Phoenix, AZ. By the end of 2025, the ToolBank National Network has added additional affiliate locations in Chicago, IL, Birmingham, AL, New Orleans, LA, Detroit, MI, and Nashville, TN.

As a member of the ToolBank network, the Cincinnati ToolBank benefits greatly from the sharing of resources and best practices among affiliates. Though an affiliate of the ToolBank network, the Cincinnati ToolBank is independently operated, governed by a local board of directors, and relies solely on local funding to fulfill its mission.

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