Landfills are the largest local source of methane (and pollution) in Prince George’s County where, simultaneously, many residents lack access to the affordable materials that crowd those landfills. So Community Forklift diverts over 170,000 refrigerators, power tools, lumber, and other landfill-bound items into the local “re-use” economy every year, ensuring that residents, small businesses, and nonprofits can acquire them at low- or no cost. Its model does more than eliminate waste. It allows community members to create assets out of these materials – residents repair their homes; organizations reduce their costs; and artisans hone their craft. Having donated more than $1 million worth of materials since 2011, Community Forklift also offers good jobs to returning citizens and those facing employment barriers, all while furthering the local green economy.

Headquarters: MD-Prince George's County

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; MD-Statewide; MD-Prince George's County; VA-Statewide; Port Towns area of Prince George's County

Age Groups Served: All

Population(s) Served: Individuals with Disabilities; Individuals who identify as LGBTQ; Individuals living with HIV/AIDs; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Men/Boys; Women/Girls; Students; Veterans/Military Families; Immigrants/Refugees


  • $ amount of usable materials diverted from local landfills since 2001:   $45 million
  • Number of visits to our Reuse Center annually:   56,260
  • Number of individuals impacted through our Community Giving programs annually:   50,541

Awards & Recognition

Prince George’s Sierra Club: Walter “Mike” Maloney Environmental Service Award (awarded to CEO Nancy J. Meyer), 2019

National Association of Remodeling Industries (NARI): DC Metro Community Service Award, 2019; DC Metro Image Award, 2011

Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation: NBC 4/Telemundo 44 - Project Innovation - Culture of Inclusion, 2019

eBay SHINE Awards for Small Business: Charitable Business Award, 2017

Green America: Green America Seal of Approval – Gold Certified Business, 2008 - 2018; People & Planet Award, 2013

City Paper:
Reader’s Choice Best Green Business, 2014 - 2020
Reader’s Choice Best Hardware Store, 2012 - 2013
Reader’s Choice Best Home Goods Store, 2010 - 2011

Washington Post Express:
1st Place Best Vintage Store, 2013
1st Place Best Home Store; 3rd Place Local Hardware Store, 2012
2nd Place Best Home Store, 2011
1st Place Best Hardware/DIY, 2010

Congressional Recognition: Certificate of Congressional Recognition by U.S. Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD), 2013.

Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce: Green Business of the Year, 2013

Alice Ferguson Foundation: Potomac Champion Award, 2011

Press

Budget (FY2023)

  • The current budget for Community Forklift is: $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

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