How It Works
- Become a ToolBank partner: First time borrowers must complete our brief online membership application before they can borrow tools. There is no membership fee. This process captures documentation of their not-for-profit status and creates a user account for the agency contact in our online tool ordering system.
- Submit a Tool Order: Once the application is approved, the partner may log in to their ToolBank account and submit an order online. We require a minimum of 3 business days’ notice for a tool order.
- Receive Tools: To receive tools, the partner may pickup at the ToolBank, pickup at a Neighborhood Tool Hub or accept delivery at their scheduled pickup time. ToolBank staff provides the agency with usage and care guidelines and an itemized receipt.
- Return Tools: After the completion of the project, the partner returns borrowed tools at the scheduled return time. ToolBank staff and volunteers assist the agency in unloading tools and check tools back into inventory.
Member agency expectations for cleaning borrowed tools.
Manuals for tools available to borrow. If you can’t find what you need, give us a call.
Visit this page to learn more about our Neighborhood Tool Hubs and Direct Delivery services.
Need to pick up a tool outside of our normal business hours? Learn more about our After Hours pick up and drop off container.
Program Fees
- Partners pay a tool handling fee to borrow ToolBank tools and resources.
- Handling fee = 3% of the retail value of each tool borrowed per week.
- If direct delivery is selected, there is a delivery fee of $75 if less than 40 miles from the ToolBank and $75+$1.25/mile if more than 40 miles from the ToolBank.
- In addition to handling and delivery fees, partners may incur late, replacement and cleaning fees – which are easily avoidable.
- All disaster-related tool handling fees are waived.
Pick-ups and returns are by appointment only. Tool orders must be placed at least 72 hours in advance of your desired pick-up time. Once you’re ready to return your order, please call us at 713-674-0262 to schedule your return appointment. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Please note that your pick-up and return appointments are not scheduled until a staff person confirms. The warehouse can be very busy, so please do not show up without a verbal confirmation.
Fees must be paid at the time of pickup. Fees may be paid by credit card or check (payable to Houston Community ToolBank). We do not accept cash. If you have a balance due on your account, you will not be able to borrow tools until the balance is paid.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the ToolBank for assistance with placing your order. If you need help navigating our tool ordering system or figuring out what tools you need to complete a project, we’re here for you. You can reach us by phone at 713-674-0262, or email Nancy at nancy.clippard@toolbank.org.
Membership Eligibility FAQ
ToolBank tools are available solely to nonprofit or tax-exempt organizations. ToolBank tools are not available to individuals and are not to be used for personal benefit or profit. Nonprofits, charitable/tax exempt organizations, schools, PTAs/PTOs, neighborhood associations, faith based groups, civic organizations, and government agencies are eligible to become ToolBank partners and borrow ToolBank tools.
Proof of your organization’s not-for-profit status is required in order to be approved for ToolBank membership, and tools may not be borrowed until documentation is received and confirmed by ToolBank staff. ToolBank staff reserves the right to request additional documentation. Examples of acceptable documentation are listed below.
Acceptable documentation:
- Nonprofit/Charitable/Tax Exempt
- Tax exempt determination letter
- Neighborhood association, Civic organizations, PTAs/PTOs
- Organization charter
- Brochure
- Meeting minutes
- Registration with local government
- Faith-based groups
- Worship schedule
- Tax exempt determination letter
- Schools, Government agencies/crisis group
- Letter briefly outlining the purpose of the school or agency (on school or department letterhead)
- Scout Troop Charter or Council registration
Once your application is submitted, please email your documentation to Nancy at nancy.clippard@toolbank.org.
There are no limits to the number of contacts per account. We require a minimum of two contacts on each account. One must be the Executive Director/CEO.
Complete applications are usually approved within 24 hours during the workweek. Once your application is approved, your agency is immediately eligible to borrow tools. Members can submit a tool order at any time by using our new Tool Order System (TOM). It’s fast and easy, and ToolBank staff will contact you as soon as possible to confirm your order and pickup appointment.
ToolBank Partner FAQ
- Orders must be placed 72 hours in advance of your desired pick-up time.
- Pickup appointments at our warehouse or delivery appointments are available Monday through Friday from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. Our Neighborhood Tool Hubs are available 24/7.
- Returns are by appointment, please call 713-674-0262 to schedule your return.
- If you cannot make your scheduled appointment, please call us to reschedule a minimum of 24 hours before your scheduled time. Appointments missed or rescheduled after the 24 window may be charged a late fee.
It is your responsibility to keep track of borrowed tools while they are in your possession. We all know how crazy it can be on work sites, and how hectic it can be working with volunteers. We suggest giving the tool inventory sheet to a volunteer so they can track the items throughout the day. We keep our items labeled with our signature blue paint so they are easy to track and return at the end of the project!
Yes! We keep a regularly updated document that details our cleaning guidelines. Please review the guidelines carefully before returning your order. The document can be accessed HERE.
- Keep the broken tool and return it with your order on the scheduled return date.
- We will not charge any replacement fees for the return of a broken tool if it broke due to usual wear and tear.
- Please note, there are some exceptions to this rule if an item is obviously mistreated. For example, our tents must be properly weighted down and you must read up on the use of fuel in items like generators.
- We provide tool care guidelines to ensure the correct usage of our inventory. Please pay close attention to those guidelines when borrowing!
- If the tool is not returned, even if it was broken, we will charge a replacement fee for the tool. The replacement fees for each tool are on the invoice provided at pick-up.
- You must let us know within 24 hours of picking up if a tool was missing from your order. If only told at drop-off, you will be charged the replacement fee.
- Please let us know as soon as you can. We can be contacted via email at nancy.clippard@toolbank.org or by phone 713-674-0262. Please note that we are closed on weekends – so please leave a detailed voicemail or email after hours.
- You will not be charged handling fees or replacement fees for a broken tool.
- Please keep the tool and return it with the rest of your order. We will try to repair it.
- Please contact us as soon as you know. We are appointment only, but will work with you if your schedule changes!
- If you miss your appointment with no notice, your order will only be held until the end of the day.
- If you’re picking up from an after hours bin:
- During the week, you have until 8AM the next morning to pick-up your order,
- Over the weekend, you have until Sunday evening to pick-up your order.
- You will be charged 25% of your tool handling fee if you miss your scheduled pick-up with no notice.
- Payment is due at the time of pick-up. Invoices will be sent ahead for pickups at Neighborhood Tool Hubs and deliveries.
- We accept credit/debit cards and checks only. Cash is not accepted.
- Checks may be mailed to 1215 Gazin St. Houston, Texas 77020. Make them out to “The Houston Community ToolBank.”