Community Forklift
4671 Tanglewood Dr, Edmonston, MD
Year Started:
2005
Building Size:
54,000-sq-ft retail warehouse + additional storage for online sales items
Mission Statement:
Eliminate waste and foster a healthier environment by recognizing, retaining, and returning the value of used and surplus materials to the community.
Origins and Vision
The concept for Community Forklift began in 1996, when a group of Washington, DC-based architects and contractors launched the idea on a brownfield site. Early support came from county and foundation grants. From the beginning, the goal was to create a nonprofit reuse warehouse focused on eliminating waste, supporting the community, and recovering valuable building materials.
Startup Story
Foundation and Early Growth
Expansion into Online Sales and Services
Community Forklift officially opened in 2005 after nearly a decade of planning and building community support. Initial funding helped transform the brownfield site into an operational reuse warehouse, setting the foundation for long-term sustainability.
Over time, Community Forklift expanded services to include a successful online marketplace and eBay store. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they accelerated digital operations, hiring a full-time staff member to manage online sales. They also grew their material pickup services to better serve the community remotely.
Operations Today
Community Forklift sustains itself primarily through earned revenue from its warehouse and online marketplace, generating approximately $3.2 million in annual revenue. To maintain flexibility, they regularly re-forecast their budget to adapt to changing needs and opportunities.
Currently, the organization operates with a funding mix of 70 percent earned income and 30 percent grant support, including federal grants. Cabinets, lighting, and furniture are among the most profitable material categories.
The organization has recovered an estimated $45 million worth of building materials from the Washington, DC metro area and distributed over $1 million in free materials to individuals and nonprofits.
Community Programs and Partnerships
Community Forklift operates several signature community programs:
​
-
Home Essentials Program: Provides free appliances and household items to individuals and families in need with no-cost delivery.
-
Community Building Blocks Program: Awards material grants to local nonprofits, schools, and community-serving projects.
-
​They also engage in educational workshops, outreach events, and deconstruction efforts to salvage reusable materials. Community Forklift partners with a broad network of nonprofits, drawing inspiration from peer organizations such as the Lifecycle Building Center.
Staffing and Governance
Community Forklift employs 35 staff members with a strong commitment to inclusive hiring, creating employment opportunities for those who face barriers to traditional work. Although they maintain a small core of fewer than 10 regular volunteers, they also work with corporate volunteer groups.
​
Leadership is provided by the Executive Director, who reports to a 12-member working Board of Directors. The board has evolved from a legacy board into an active governance model, featuring hands-on committees that collaborate with staff.
Strong financial sustainability through earned revenue
Generate a high percentage of income through warehouse and online sales to build a self-sustaining nonprofit model with diversified funding streams.
Hire inclusively and invest in workforce development
Focus on workforce development by creating jobs for people facing employment barriers rather than relying heavily on volunteers.
Maximize community impact with free and low-cost programs
Design programs that provide essential goods at no cost to individuals and nonprofit organizations.
Develop a working board that engages actively with staff
Transition from a legacy board to an active, committee-driven model that supports both strategic planning and daily operations.