❤️A Tool Library is a Community-Wide Labor of Love

Every tool borrowed, every project completed, every skill shared—none of it happens without a community that believes access is better than ownership and that neighbors helping neighbors makes Chicago stronger.

This Valentine’s season, we’re inviting you to share a little love with the place that helps Chicago build, fix, and create!

🧡Why We’re Asking

Like many community-serving nonprofits, the Chicago Tool Library is facing a small budget gap as we wrap up our fiscal year. We've done so many wonderful things this year and we want to end on a high note with a balanced budget!

Your gift to the Labor of Love Campaign helps bridge this gap, ensuring that CTL can continue its work – with love!

💛Love in Action

Here are some highlights of what we've accomplished this fiscal year:

Completed our first ever strategic plan
- As a part of the plan we committed to start hosting classes. We plan to pilot some classes in late 2026!
Won a $35,000 grant from the Nature Conservancy to support our camping gear collection
Were selected as an official marathon charity for the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon (go team CTL!!)
Fixed 382 items at our free repair fairs
Loaned 12,564 items to library members
Saved Chicagoans $908,158.42 in tool purchases or rentals

💚Gratitude for Our Supporters

If you’re already a member, volunteer, champion, or donor, please know how deeply grateful we are. Your belief in this model—of mutual aid, sustainability, and empowerment—is what makes the Chicago Tool Library possible. This campaign is not just about dollars raised; it’s about a commitment to building thriving communities. You did that!!

💙Spread the Love

A contribution of any size helps us close the gap and continue this work we all care about. Whether you give, renew your membership, or simply spread the word, you’re part of this labor of love.

This Valentine’s Day, help us keep Chicago building – together. We love our work and WE REALLY LOVE YOU! 💓

💜Other Incredible Ways to Support Us!

🪪 Renew your membership!

🌟 Sign up for a new membership!

🔄 Share this campaign!

💪 Volunteer!

🏆 Join our board of directors (applications close 2/16)!

🧰 Come to our tool sale on 2/28 from 11am-4pm!

💌 Buy some merch on this campaign page!

❤️Chicago Tool Library Labor of Love Campaign❤️