Magic City ToolBank
The Tools powering change in Birmingham
Magic City ToolBank puts the right tools in the hands of nonprofits and volunteers serving our community. When people come together to take action, we make sure a lack of equipment is never an obstacle.
What We Stand For
Everything we do is grounded in five core values that shape how we serve our members and care for the tools that make community projects possible.
Respect & Inclusion
Every organization we serve is welcomed without barriers. We meet partners where they are and treat every borrower with the same care.
Integrity & Transparency
We operate openly and honestly, from how we manage our inventory to how we steward donor resources.
Customer Service
Borrowing tools should be straightforward. We work to make every interaction with our team clear, helpful, and dependable.
Tool Stewardship
Our inventory is a shared community asset. We maintain it carefully so every organization gets equipment that is ready to work.
Community Building
We exist to strengthen Birmingham, not just supply it. Every tool we lend is a contribution to the city's long-term wellbeing.
Our Impact
by the numbers 2025
2025 was our first full year of tool lending. This year, we're on track to double the number of groups we serve and orders we fill. This growth means more projects completed, more volunteers engaged, and stronger communities across the Magic City.
125
Projects supported
1,319
Volunteers equipped
$111,388
Value of tools loaned
4,212
Number of tools available
ToolBank USA
Magic City ToolBank is a proud affiliate of ToolBank USA and part of a national network of ToolBanks serving communities across the country. That connection gives us access to shared best practices, expanded inventory support, and a model built on decades of experience equipping organizations to do more. Visit toolbank.org to learn more and to connect with our other affiliates in Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Nashville (opening soon), New Orleans, Phoenix, and Richmond.
The Story of Magic City ToolBank
Magic City ToolBank came to Birmingham in a unique way. Rather than being selected as a new affiliate location by ToolBank USA, a local nonprofit championed the idea and worked with Birmingham City Council to secure the support needed to bring a ToolBank to our community. Setup began in 2023, and our first tools were loaned in the summer of 2024. Each year, we continue to expand our reach, serving more organizations and supporting more community projects.
Hands-On Impact
Building Change
Through our Building Change program, we connect volunteer teams with meaningful service opportunities by organizing hands-on projects that benefit local charities. Participants enjoy a fun, team-building experience while building picnic tables, benches and other items that strengthen community spaces.
Providing Community Disaster Support
When severe weather or unexpected events disrupt neighborhoods, the need for tools becomes urgent. Magic City ToolBank coordinates disaster response support, helping relief organizations access equipment quickly so recovery work can begin without delay.
Rapid Response Lending
We prioritize access for organizations responding to community disasters, cutting through logistics so cleanup and recovery crews have shovels, generators, and supplies on hand when hours matter most.
Rebuild & Repair Assistance
When homes need repair and neighborhoods are working to recover, the right equipment makes the difference. We provide tools for rebuilding and restoration projects, supporting organizations through every stage of the recovery process.
Long-Term Recovery Support
Disaster recovery doesn't end in a week. We support organizations through extended rebuilding efforts, providing tools for home repair and restoration as neighborhoods work their way back.
Our Leadership
Magic City ToolBank is run by a small, dedicated team committed to keeping Birmingham's nonprofits equipped and operational. Our staff and leadership bring deep roots in the community and a practical understanding of what it takes to support organizations doing hands-on work.
Executive Director
Laura Quenelle
Laura brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit development, community planning, and organizational operations. Most recently, she provided development support to a startup nonprofit in Bessemer focused on affordable housing and community development. She previously served as Donor and Administrative Manager for Main Street Alabama, the state coordinator of Main Street America, supporting downtown revitalization efforts statewide. Her career also includes municipal planning and nonprofit leadership roles, including service as a senior planner with the City of Miami Beach and leadership positions with preservation and design-focused organizations in Alabama.
Quenelle holds a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She is a credentialed Main Street America Revitalization Professional. A Birmingham native, Quenelle enjoys traveling, thrift shopping, attending concerts, exploring historic neighborhoods, and spending time with her two teenage children. She is also a longtime Girl Scouts volunteer, serving as both a troop leader and summer camp director.
Favorite Tool: Sledge Hammer
Growing & Expanding Community Partnerships
At Magic City ToolBank, our generous partners provide critical funding needed to operate our warehouse, maintain a reliable inventory of tools, and support the staff who make our services possible. We are proud to recognize the donors whose investment is helping to build stronger communities throughout our region.
