Ryan secures $75,000 for Tool Library capital campaign

Funding Tool Library to purchase rented building

Submitted by the Office of New York State Sen. Sean Ryan

On Tuesday, New York State Sen. Sean Ryan announced he secured a $75,000 state grant for the Tool Library as part of its capital campaign to purchase and renovate the building it has been renting since June 2023.

The Tool Library launched a $1 million capital campaign earlier this year with the intent to purchase the building the organization currently occupies. Phase 1 of the campaign collected $430,467 to secure the purchase of the building. Phase 2, which is currently underway, will focus on raising funds for necessary renovations and building upgrades that will allow the Tool Library to better serve the community.

The Tool Library is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that lends tools to the greater Buffalo community. In addition to its tool borrowing program, the Tool Library hosts regular “Dare to Repair” events, which invite the community to bring broken electronic devices for volunteers to inspect and repair. These events keep electronics out of the landfill and allow the community to connect with the Tool Library’s volunteers and outreach programs.

Ryan said, “The Tool Library has become a valuable asset to the Buffalo region. It has remained an important part of the Main Street landscape since 2011, and continues to serve the community by allowing access to tools. I am proud to have supported phase 1 of this project and look forward to how phase 2 enhances the neighborhood even further.”

Phase 1 of the Tool Library capital campaign was completed thanks to 318 donations from individuals, local businesses, and grants from the following organizations:

• $175,000 – Junior League of Western New York
• $100,000 – M&T Charitable Foundation
• $75,000 – New York State Sen. Sean Ryan
• $50,000 – James H. Cummings Foundation
• $25,000 – The Paul and Dorothy Borenstein Memorial Foundation

As the Tool Library looks to phase 2, it continues to seek funding to renovate 2626 Main St. Donations can be made at https://givebutter.com/2626