Opportunity | Announcement
Help your
share, and care for useful things.
Community Gearbox helps communities make the resources they already have more visible, more shareable, and easier to care for together.
We are currently seeking three Seattle-based organizations and/or community networks to collaborate with us on a structured resource sharing effort this summer and fall.
Rolling applications | Deadline Friday May 29th, 2026.
*Priority consideration will be given to early applicants.
This opportunity is made possible through funding from
Would your community benefit from using Community Gearbox?
Many communities already have gear, tools, supplies, materials, and other resources spread across their networks. But these resources are often hard to see, hard to coordinate, and hard to care for together.
When that happens, useful things go underused, people buy what they could have borrowed, participation can be limited, and the work of sharing falls back on memory, text threads, spreadsheets, or informal labor.
Community Gearbox is a tool that helps people coordinate shared resources in a way that strengthens community, reduces waste, and makes generosity easier to sustain over time.
Our 2026 summer and fall partnership offering is designed to help three Seattle-based communities stand up stronger systems for sharing what they already have.
Possible groups that might want to stand up a resource network:
And more…
Partnership Overview
What we'll do together
Below is an on overview of what this partnership will look like.
Participants will co-design a campaign with us, including
- An in-person kickoff, mapping, and cataloging event
- A month-long resource gathering campaign
- Feature development for the style of sharing your community does
- Ongoing support for your community’s sharing efforts
What Community Gearbox provides
- Project management and planning support for the entire working relationship
- Leadership and collaboration on campaign messaging and participation
- Production and support for the kickoff event
- Support using the platform to gather and map resources
- Ongoing support during the campaign
- Full organizational access and continued platform support for a year after.
This might be a good fit if your community...
- Runs events, programs, or gatherings
- Wants to better share and care for gear, tools, or other useful things
- Values sustainability, mutual aid, and collective care
- Wants to deepen community, connection, and belonging
- Sees access to gear, tools, or supplies as a barrier to participation
With our platform you can
Create Groups
Ask for what you need
Track anything
Create Groups
Set up a shared space for your household, pod, club, team, or community. Organize items together and make it easier to see what’s available.
Track anything
Log what’s lent, borrowed, shared, or co-owned — whether it’s one item between friends or a whole pool of gear used by a group.
Ask for what you need
Post a Community Ask when you’re looking for something, so people in your circle can offer what they already have.
Intersted in working together?
Let us know and we'll schedule a time to talk
Rolling applications | Deadline Friday May 29th, 2026.
*Priority consideration will be given to early applicants.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this ONLY for nonprofits?
No. We welcome interest from nonprofits, mutual aid groups, collectives, clubs, student groups, and other trusted community networks, as long as they are based in Seattle or primarily serve Seattle residents.
Who is eligible for this?
This opportunity is currently focused on Seattle-based organizations and communities, or groups primarily serving Seattle residents, in order to meet current grant requirements.
Does our whole community need to be in Seattle?
Not necessarily. This opportunity is intended for Seattle-based groups or communities primarily serving Seattle residents.
What kinds of resources count?
Resources could include gear, tools, supplies, event materials, teaching materials, outdoor equipment, kitchen items, books, creative materials, emergency preparedness supplies, and more.
Is there a cost?
There is no participation fee for selected partners.
What if we already use spreadsheets or informal systems?
That is completely fine. Many communities already coordinate sharing through spreadsheets, chats, email, or word of mouth.
What if we aren’t sure we’re ready?
You are still welcome to apply or reach out. Part of this process is exploring fit together.
Built for people who want to share more
A small tool for collective abundance – helping useful things move between friends, neighbors, and groups with more clarity and less tension.
