Houston Community ToolBank

Houston Community ToolBank is a nonprofit tool-lending program that empowers charities to tackle community-based projects. Since 2014, the ToolBank has lent out $13.8 million worth of tools that have equipped more than 200,000 volunteers in completing more than 13,000 projects.

From manufacturing to transportation, the carbon footprint for new tools adds up quickly. The Toolbank reduces that immensely by loaning out its 18,000 tools thousands of times. To help make the Toolbank's model even more sustainable, Sun Club has provided a $52,297 grant to purchase two shipping containers outfitted with solar-powered locking systems and lights. These containers will house tools for pick-up, allowing organizations to pick up tools at their convenience, rather than driving to the central warehouse during business hours. The grant will also provide for a 1,000-gallon rain water collection tank and filtration system to wash dirty tools at the warehouse. And finally, three additional Goal Zero Yeti generators with solar kits will be added to the ToolBank inventory.