Statements
Mission
Nashville Tools for Schools is a 501(c)(3) that is 'building for our children's future'. Our mission is to furnish custom projects, at little-to-no cost, which enrich the student learning environment. We provide custom desks, tables, book shelves, smart board platforms, garden beds, and countless other classrooms necessities to many schools within the MNPS system.
Background
In June of 2006, John Carpenter started Nashville Tools for School in a shed at his home. John's vision was to improve MNPS schools and related institutions with the completion of small construction projects and low-cost furniture. The first project completed by John and a very small team of volunteers was a drywall repair at Hillsboro High School. John and the Nashville Tools for Schools volunteers would graduate from the backyard shed to a four-bay workshop at Hillsboro High School, and in May 2017, NTFS entered into a lease agreement with MNPS wherein NTFS has rent-free occupation of a workshop located on Foster Avenue in Nashville. NTFS established Non-Profit 501C3 status in April 2011. NTFS was a recipient of the 2010 Alignment Nashville award for developing community leaders, 2010 Daily's Difference Maker Award, 2010 Mayor's Award for Outstanding System-wide Partner, and the 2009 Honorable Mention Mayor's Award for System-wide Partner.
Impact
Accomplishments:
1. Pursuant to a snapshot of the services provided by NTFS in 2023, it is estimated that NTFS completed 77 projects, consisting of 432 items built. Fifty-one schools and organizations and 70 teachers were served. Volunteers completed 4,520 volunteer hours at an estimated time value of $143,750. It was estimated that a minimum average of 80% savings were passed on to schools and teachers versus the costs of comparable items sold at retail price.
2. We continue to increase our exposure on Twitter and Facebook, and after the assistance of our community partner Hands on Nashville, NTFS has continued to monitor and update its website, which is working well.
3. NTFS continues distribution of a quarterly newsletter updating the community on latest projects, volunteers and NTFS successes.
4. As part of NTFS' ongoing collaboration with MNPS, we continue to operate in a wonderful, rent-free workshop located on Foster Avenue.
5. NTFS continually strives to increase the number of schools for which we complete needed projects each year and we hope to increase the community support we receive both financially and through the donation of goods and services in order to increase the number of students and teachers we are able to serve.
6. As of June 2024, ten board members serve on NTFS' Board of Directors, along with two interns who serve our board via the Young Leaders Council, and two board members emeritus. Our Board of Directors continues to thrive and support the operation and growth of NTFS.
Needs
In addition to NTFS' current grant funding, we would like to secure a minimum additional $10,000 in grants for each of the next three years for the purpose of reducing project costs to the schools and teachers. While NTFS will make grant application to our previous grantors , we are also hopeful that we will secure new grants this year. In order to become less reliant on solely on grants to fund NTFS operations, we would also like to continue building on our goal of engaging MNPS and potential donors via increased marketing and implementation of fundraising outreach via NTFS' quarterly newsletter. NTFS will also continue highlighting production efforts and successes via social media and the NTFS website.
Board Chair Statement
NTFS is incredibly grateful for the grant funds we have received this year. Our ultimate goal is to secure sufficient funding to cover 100% of project costs for schools and teachers. NTFS has a dedicated staff of highly-skilled volunteers who produce high-quality projects in a timely fashion with speedy delivery to the schools.
Pursuant to a snapshot of the services provided by NTFS in 2023, it is estimated that NTFS completed 77 projects, consisting of 432 items built. Fifty-one schools and organizations and 70 teachers were served. Volunteers completed 4,520 volunteer hours at an estimated time value of $143,750. It was estimated that a minimum average of 80% savings were passed on to schools and teachers versus the costs of comparable items sold at retail price.
We always want to increase awareness of NTFS and the large number of services we provide, and we are currently pursuing this goal with regular updates to our website and to social media as well as through distribution of NTFS' quarterly newsletter and occasional public speaking events.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Education - Elementary & Secondary Schools |
| Secondary Category: | Youth Development - |
| Tertiary Category: | Community Improvement, Capacity Building - |
Areas Served
Our primary focus is on public schools within the Metro Nashville Public Schools system that are in need of low-cost, high-quality construction, repair and improvement projects.
| TN - Davidson |
