Windy City ToolBank & Midwest Disaster Services Hub

05/29/2026

One of the hardest parts of running the Windy City ToolBank right now is not having enough tents to support all the incredible organizations requesting them this summer.

So for my 46th birthday yesterday, I decided to ask for something practical.

Help me buy more tents. ⛺

Goal:
• 10 new 10x10 tents
• 5 new 10x20 tents
• $4,000 total

These tents will immediately support nonprofits, schools, gardens, volunteer events, disaster response teams, and community programs across Chicago.

I’m asking people to consider donating $25 if they can.

Every donation directly helps us say “YES” to more organizations this summer.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/one-person-hundreds-of-nonprofits-we-need-more-tents

Thank you all for supporting this crazy mission and this little nonprofit-for-nonprofits that I love so much 💙

Yesterday was my 46th birthday, and this year I’m asking for something a little different.No gifts. No dinner fund. No vacation fund.I’m asking for help buying more tents for the Windy City ToolBank.Right now, one of the biggest stress points for me is trying to support the huge growth we’ve s...

04/29/2026

So excited to be part of such an amazing event!! It was incredible seeing the blue tools in every volunteer's hands!

04/19/2026

Before it sells out!! 4/25!!! Want a unique, delicious and FUN workshop? Look no further than our friends at Pullman Tech Workshop!

03/09/2026

UPDATE!!! We are at 10 of the 20 tents we need!!! Thanks so much to everyone supporting! 10 more to go!! And the price just dropped to $142! PLEASE BUY US A TENT!

I never thought I would be on Facebook at 8pm on a Friday asking my friends to buy me a tent 😅⛺

But here we are.

The 10x10 commercial tents we use for nonprofit events are on a flash sale for $144 (normally $249) 💥 and the Windy City ToolBank is trying to grab 20 of them before the deal disappears. These tents support summer festivals, volunteer days, and community events all over Chicago, helping nonprofits host the programs and gatherings that bring people together. 🌱🎉

If you are willing to help, you can purchase one from our wishlist and it will ship directly to the ToolBank warehouse:

🔗 https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1JC50FUNXQ6AN

They are the FIRST item on the list and there are only a limited number left at this price.

If you grab one, send me a message and I will add a dedication to the carry bag so every nonprofit that uses it knows who helped make their event possible. ❤️⛺

If buying a tent is not in the cards tonight, please share this post and help me find a few tent heroes before the deal is gone! 🙏

** Photo Credit: Houston ToolBank has some good lookin' tents... and ToolBankers!

03/07/2026

I never thought I would be on Facebook at 8pm on a Friday asking my friends to buy me a tent 😅⛺

But here we are.

The 10x10 commercial tents we use for nonprofit events are on a flash sale for $144 (normally $249) 💥 and the Windy City ToolBank is trying to grab 20 of them before the deal disappears. These tents support summer festivals, volunteer days, and community events all over Chicago, helping nonprofits host the programs and gatherings that bring people together. 🌱🎉

If you are willing to help, you can purchase one from our wishlist and it will ship directly to the ToolBank warehouse:

🔗 https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1JC50FUNXQ6AN

They are the FIRST item on the list and there are only a limited number left at this price.

If you grab one, send me a message and I will add a dedication to the carry bag so every nonprofit that uses it knows who helped make their event possible. ❤️⛺

If buying a tent is not in the cards tonight, please share this post and help me find a few tent heroes before the deal is gone! 🙏

** Photo Credit: Houston ToolBank has some good lookin' tents... and ToolBankers!

03/05/2026

Seriously! This is one of my favorite tools in the warehouse. From moving heavy furniture alone to putting together my heavy duty pallet racking. I can do it alone! Should I? Come volunteer and you’ll see me using them a couple times a week

01/08/2026

We’re keeping the momentum going 💙🔧

Our year-end campaign wrapped on December 31, and thanks to your support we reached 32% of our goal with $4,727 raised. With our matching donor, that impact nearly doubled, bringing our total community investment close to $10,000.
Because our match donor wants to give the full $15,000, we’re extending the match through January 19, MLK Day 🎉

Already, $700+ in handling fee credits have been designated to nonprofits across Chicagoland, helping organizations stretch budgets and get more done.

And donors are getting creative with where those credits go:
• First new member agency of 2026
• A nonprofit serving veterans
• A school that has never borrowed from ToolBank
• A member agency ready to restart in 2026

There’s still time to give, be matched, and surprise an organization with a gift that goes far beyond dollars.

Donation link in comments 💙🔧✨

12/31/2025

🚨 HAPPY NEW YEAR, ToolBankers! 🎉💙

As we close out the year, we are reflecting on how our warehouse has become so much more than shelves and tools 🔧🏢 It is truly a shared space for community.

Over the past year, we have opened our doors for volunteer events 🤝, social gatherings 🎉, member meetings 🗣️, birthday parties 🎂, a wedding reception 💍, a storytelling night 📖✨, and so many mission driven moments.

Back in November, we were thrilled to host Dark Horse Dogs in our Pilsen warehouse for a holiday photo shoot for their foster pups 🐶🎄📸 Ernie was especially excited to help get the space ready for his friends 🧹🐾

If you have been thinking about giving, today is your last chance to have your gift matched dollar for dollar 💥 Your support helps us keep saying yes to creative, joyful partnerships like this.

Donation link in comments 💙🔧✨

Thank you for helping us close the year strong 🎊

There’s still time to double your impact!
Give here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/help-us-close-the-year-strong-your-gift-goes-twice-as-far

12/18/2025

Our year end matching campaign is live and your donation helps us keep acquiring the unique items our member agencies need most. 💙🔧

✨ Your gift is doubled and sends handling fee credits to the Chicago area nonprofit you choose. Donation link in comments.

Most people think the Windy City ToolBank only carries drills, saws, and ladders. But your support makes it possible for us to stock some very unexpected treasures that help nonprofits teach, celebrate, fundraise, and create community magic. 🎉🔧💡

A few of our favorites in the warehouse include:
• CPR manikins for adults and children 🫀🧸
• Silent disco headphones 🎧✨
• Privacy voting booths 🗳️
• A giant Plinko board 🎯
• The 16 foot inflatable movie screen 🎬
• The 8 foot tall tool themed wall ball game 🔨🏆
• A dog treadmill for large dogs 🐕💨
• Giant ribbon cutting scissors ✂️🎀
• A hot dog steamer with bun warmer 🌭🔥
• A vinyl and paper cutting machine ✂️🖨️
• Artist easels 🎨
• Microscopes 🔬
• A 2600 watt lithium power station ⚡🔋
• A 6 to 17 foot extendable level 📏
• Thermal laminators 🔥🗂️
• Binoculars 🔭
• And mountains of event gear like ceiling drapes, photo backdrops, tents, tables, chairs, and tablecloths 🎪📸🪑

These tools and event items help nonprofits build community, raise funds, teach skills, and bring people together. 💙✨

If this surprised you imagine what your favorite Chicago area mission serving organization can do with access to all of this.

Donation link in comments.

12/16/2025

🎉 It’s here! Your donation now goes TWICE as far thanks to a $15,000 matching gift. Even better, you can choose ANY Chicago-area mission-driven organization to receive handling fee credits. Let’s kick this off strong!

Donate: link in first comment