One Business’s Unused Laptop Is Another Person’s Affordable Device – How a mission to refurbish 25,000 devices is meeting a real need in Maine
Not long ago, Rebecca Sanchez thought college might be beyond her reach because she couldn’t afford a computer. Then give IT. get IT., a Waterville-based non-profit, changed everything with a single refurbished laptop.
“A reliable computer is no longer just a helpful tool — it is an essential part of learning,” she said. “From attending online classes and completing assignments to researching and connecting with teachers, a laptop is the gateway to success.”
Since 2002, give IT. get IT. has been transforming surplus business technology into opportunity, providing more than 20,000 personal computers to Maine residents from Kittery to Fort Kent. Now, they’re scaling their mission even further.
give IT. get IT. has partnered with the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) — a state agency working to improve internet access statewide — to launch the Maine Tech Share initiative (maineconnectivity.org/techshare).
The ambitious goal: source and securely refurbish 25,000 devices for distribution to families and individuals over the next few years.
The need is urgent. Three in 10 low-income households in Maine lack access to the digital devices they need, according to an MCA survey. This gap is especially critical now that Maine has invested more than $350 million in state and federal funds to connect 86,000 homes and businesses to the internet since 2022.
“Having a reliable internet connection is essential — but it’s access to an affordable, functional device that truly makes that connection meaningful,” said Chris Martin, Co-Founder of give IT. get IT. “Providing people with the right device for work, school, healthcare, or daily life is one of the most direct ways to expand digital access and opportunity.”
With the right device, veterans and elderly people can access services and medical appointments online. People with disabilities, low-income families, and rural residents can work remotely and attend classes online. For many people, an affordable device could prove life-changing.
Meanwhile, surplus and underutilized technology create real headaches for Maine businesses. Computers contain confidential, sensitive, and proprietary information. Laws such as HIPAA, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and numerous federal and state statutes create legal liability for those who mishandle confidential data.
The devices also can’t simply go to the landfill — that’s environmentally harmful and violates Maine’s e-waste recycling law. About 9 million pounds of electronics are sold in Maine every year, but only 20% of that total is recycled. The rest is either sold as scrap or destined for landfills.
give IT. get IT. solves both problems at once. The organization maintains a recycling facility licensed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and a universal storage facility registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
give IT. get IT. refurbishes valuable equipment and rehabilitates what can be reused, with all excess components receiving proper disposal. Companies receive detailed documentation about what happened to their technology and can be confident that DEP reporting requirements are met.
“Maine business leaders who value our mission are the reason we have been able to provide more than 20,000 personal computers from Kittery to Fort Kent since 2002,” Martin said. “Our partners benefit by safely donating their electronics, and we destroy the data, file compliance reports, and recycle and reuse everything we can to redistribute the technology. The whole process is a win for our partners, the environment, and our community.”
For Rebecca Sanchez, one refurbished laptop opened doors she thought were closed. She earned her associate’s degree with a certificate in small business management and expects to complete her bachelor’s degree next year.
“When I first began my educational journey, I did not have the resources to afford the technology needed to succeed in college,” she said. “A reliable laptop was essential for completing assignments, attending virtual classes, and accessing the tools that are now fundamental to higher education.
“This program not only provides technology but also gives students like me the chance to build a future that might otherwise feel out of reach.”
Your support can help give IT. get IT. reach their goal of distributing 25,000 devices to Maine residents who need them most. Whether you’re a business with technology to donate or an individual who wants to sponsor a student like Rebecca Sanchez, your contribution transforms lives.
Ready to make a difference?
Every device donated is one more person connected to education, employment, healthcare, and opportunity.
