Diaper Bank of NC

Challenge

The Diaper Bank of North Carolina, who provides individuals and families in need with diapers and other hygiene products, had pallets of diapers covering nearly every square inch of its roughly 14,000 square foot facility. w h e n the organization started in 2013, it had a goal of donating 50,000 diapers per year. Ten years later, with the organization on track to donate over seven million diapers for the year, space was at a premium. The Diaper Bank had a magnetic leader, an energized staff and an army of dedicated volunteers. It had everything but a large enough space for the continued growth of their amazing mission!

Action

The Diaper Bank hired industrial advisor, Carey Greene, at SVN | Real Estate Associates, who was recommended by a member of its Board of Directors, to help identify larger, but economically viable spaces in the market that could help the organization expand and operate more efficiently. The industrial leasing market was tight, and rental rates were significantly higher now than what they had been when The Diaper Bank had signed its previous lease years earlier. Carey identified all of the options in the market within the desired geographical area and with an acceptable budget and an accommodating landlord.

Result

• A space that was not being advertised for lease was identified as a possibility, and at nearly 27,000 SF, it offered significantly more capacity and efficiency.

• A below-market rental rate was negotiated, with the landlord still having to put in a significant amount or landlord-paid Improvements to accommodate the organization.

• A 10-year lease with options to renew was executed, giving The Diaper Bank a space to cover more bottoms for the foreseeable future.

Testimonial

We couldn't be more excited about our new home that we will move into in 2024. Carey was able to find us something that we weren't sure existed anymore - industrial space affordable for a small non-profit organization like the Diaper Bank of North Carolina. He guided us through the process and was patient as we worked through the lease internally. Carey had worked with this particular landlord before, and as a result of that, knew that they were fair and reasonable and that we would have a positive experience with them. We were used to having a great relationship with our landlord and that was essential for us moving forward in a new facility as well. I highly recommend Carey!

- Michelle Schaefer-Old, Founder & CEO (Diaper Bank of NC)