Computer Donation Program

At give IT. get IT.; we believe in the power of technology to create opportunities. Our computer donation program helps businesses and individuals give their used IT equipment new life, providing underserved communities, nonprofits, and individuals with the tools they need to learn, work, and thrive.

By donating computers, you’re not just recycling old technology—you’re bridging the digital divide, reducing e-waste, and supporting digital inclusion.

Introduction to Computer Donation Programs

Technology is necessary, yet millions lack access to functional computers, limiting their ability to learn, work, and stay connected. At give IT. get IT., we refurbish and distribute donated computers to those who need them most, offering a secure, eco-friendly, and impactful way to repurpose technology.

Donating computers helps bridge the digital divide, providing individuals, schools, and nonprofits with essential education, employment,and communication tools. These donations enhance digital literacy, empower students, and support workforce development, driving economic growth in underserved communities.

Students assemble desktop computers for disadvantaged families using recovered hardware and software through our Build IT program. So far, 95 AYCC’s STEM program students have built 165 computers, helping local families access technology.

Beyond social impact, repurposing computers reduces e-waste, conserves energy, and promotes sustainability, extending the lifespan of valuable technology while minimizing environmental harm.

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Importance of Donating Computers

Every year, businesses and individuals replace their computers with newer models, often leaving perfectly functional devices unused or discarded. Instead of letting these computers go to waste, donating them can make a meaningful difference.

✅ Bridges the Digital Divide – Many students, job seekers, and nonprofits lack access to technology. Donating computers provides them with essential tools for success.

✅ Promotes Digital Literacy – Computer access allows individuals to develop digital skills, increasing educational and employment opportunities.

✅ Supports Nonprofits & Schools – Many organizations operate on limited budgets. Donated computers help them enhance their operations without financial strain.

At give IT. get IT., we ensure that every donated device is securely wiped, refurbished, and redistributed, maximizing its impact.

The Environmental Impact of Donating vs. Disposing of Old Computers

E-waste is one of the fastest-growing environmental concerns. Millions of computers end up in landfills each year, contributing to pollution and resource waste. Instead of disposing of old computers, donating them is a sustainable solution.

🌍 Reduces E-Waste – The U.S. alone generates over 6.9 million tons of e-waste annually. Donating extends the lifespan of electronics, keeping them out of landfills.

🔄 Supports a Circular Economy – Refurbishing and reusing computers conserves valuable materials like metals, plastics, and rare minerals.

💚 Minimizes Carbon Footprint – Manufacturing new computers requires significant energy and resources. Donating and reusing devices lowers the demand for new production, reducing environmental impact.

At give IT. get IT., we prioritize secure and responsible refurbishment, ensuring donated computers stay in use longer, reducing environmental harm, and supporting digital inclusion.

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Why Donate Your Old Computers?

Donating old computers provides multiple benefits, from helping those in need to supporting environmental sustainability. It can also offer tax benefits and extend the life cycle of IT equipment.

At least 28 percent of families in San Diego don’t have a computer in their household, which limits parents’ ability to apply for jobs online and children’s access to online learning resources

• Help Those in Need: Donating computers bridge the digital divide, providing technology to schools, nonprofits, and underserved individuals for educational and career advancement.
• Reduce E-waste & Promote Sustainability: Donating prevents hazardous materials from entering landfills and reduces the need for new resource-intensive production, conserving raw materials and energy.
• Tax Benefits: Donating old computers to nonprofits may provide tax deductions, offering a financial incentive while supporting a good cause.
• Extend IT Equipment Life: Donating extends the lifespan of devices, reduces electronic waste, conserves resources, and lowers carbon emissions.

How Computer Donation Programs Work?

Computer donation programs collect, refurbish, and redistribute used computers to individuals and organizations in need.

give IT. get IT. Prioritizes data security and ensures all data is completely erased before a computer is repurposed

What Happens to Donated Computers?

• Collection: Computer donation programs reach out to organizations, schools, corporations, and individuals to solicit donations and then coordinate the collection of devices.
• Assessment: Programs assess donated equipment to determine if it meets the minimum requirements (for example, computers donated to Simsbury Public Schools must be new or no more than two years old). If a donation is declined, the donor is notified in writing of the reason(s).
• Refurbishing: If accepted, technicians inspect and clean the devices, ensuring they are in optimal working condition. They also install the necessary hardware and software.
• Distribution: The devices are distributed to designated digital literacy labs, classrooms, or individuals.

The refurbishing process includes secure data erasure to protect privacy. Some programs rely on student interns to evaluate and refurbish computers, providing them with work experience in computer hardware and software technical support.

Who Benefits from Donated Computers?

Donated computers create opportunities for various groups. Here’s who benefits, along with supporting statistics:

• Nonprofits: Nonprofits serving underprivileged communities can apply to receive computers if they are registered and demonstrate a need for technology to support their operations. Computer Aid helped 129 organizations in 2019-2020.
• Schools: Schools and educational institutions in developing regions can overcome resource limitations and offer students a platform for digital learning. 84.6% of computers from the Computers for Schools (CFS) program have been distributed to schools, totaling 923,484 computers.
• Low-income individuals and families: Individuals who need a working computer, including students, job seekers, and seniors, can apply to receive one. Donating empowers needy families and children, helping them become computer-literate and have equal access to technology. give IT. get IT. has provided personal computer training, ownership, and support to more than 40,000 people throughout New England.
• Community centers: Community centers can spread the word about free computer programs to help those in need.
• Youth and Adult Learners: Computer donation programs improve access to computers, extend the lifespan of distributed computers, increase donations of computers, and provide practical work experience and ICT technical training and skills development to youth. These programs also increase computer awareness, knowledge, and skills among youth.
• Students in Asia Pacific: Since 2017, LiteHaus International has repurposed over 12,000 devices, diverting them away from landfills and into the hands of 214,000 students in need. By 2027, they aim to digitize a million dreams, enriching the lives of millions of people with digital learning tools and opportunities.
• Veterans: Many veterans face challenges reintegrating into the workforce. Donated computers help them apply for jobs, access telehealth services, and gain new skills for career advancement.
• People with Disabilities: Adaptive technology on donated computers enables individuals with disabilities to work, study, and communicate, improving accessibility and independence.

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Where to Donate Used Computers Near You?

To donate used computers, consider the following options:

Finding Local Computer Donation Programs

• Local charities, schools, and community centers may accept computer donations.
• Nonprofit organizations can use their old desktop computers and laptops through reuse or recycling, helping low-income families stay connected and preventing e-waste.

Free Computer Donation Programs

• PCs for People offers free donation pick-up services.
• Computers With Causes is a nonprofit that offers a free computer program to those in need. They invite individuals and organizations to apply for a computer and help bridge the digital divide by providing refurbished computers to empower lives, foster education, and create opportunities.

How to Choose the Right Program?

• Ensure the program properly refurbishes and redistributes computers.
• Look for certifications and compliance to ensure data security and environmental responsibility. Before donating, back up all files and wipe the internal hard drive to eliminate personal information.

give IT. get IT. helps people gain access to technology and the skills needed to use it. Since 2002, the organization has been helping individuals and families by providing refurbished corporate surplus computers with low or no-cost user support.

Steps to Donate Your Computers Safely

To safely donate your computers, adhere to the following steps:

Preparing Your Computer for Donation

• • Backing up essential data: Before erasing anything, back up all your documents, photos, and other important information. You can back data to an external hard drive, thumb drive, or secure cloud storage location.

• Performing a factory reset and data wiping:

• • Wipe the hard drive to eliminate your files using a software program that permanently erases your data.
  • Follow the device manufacturer’s instructions to perform a factory reset, which should remove anything left on your device. If you’re using Windows 10, go to the Start menu > Settings > Update & Security. Go to the Recovery menu and select “Reset this PC.”
• Securely remove personal information: Delete everything on your old device, including your downloads, photos, and search history. Clear your browsing history, cookies, site data, cached files, and images. Delete all apps, including app cache and data.

Checking Donation Requirements

• Condition of computers accepted: Before donating computers, assess their functional condition, specifications, and potential usefulness to the recipient. Devices that are too outdated or not working properly may not be suitable for donation and may require alternative disposal methods, such as recycling.
• What accessories and peripherals should be included? Monitors, cables, and other peripherals can also be recycled or donated. Be sure to remove any physical items you want to keep, such as SD cards, CD or DVD drives, game discs (for game consoles), removable USB devices, or SIM cards (for mobile phones). Clean the dust and debris from various input ports and disinfect the screen, keyboards, and mice with antibacterial wipes.

Businesses & Corporate IT Donations

Corporate computer donation programs are a powerful way for businesses to give back to their communities while promoting sustainability and social responsibility.

By setting up these programs, companies can make a significant impact, whether it’s by providing technology to nonprofits, schools, or low-income families. These initiatives not only support digital inclusion but also help reduce e-waste.

For businesses looking to get involved, creating an effective donation program involves strategic planning and the right tools. Below, we outline key steps companies can take to establish and run successful computer donation programs.

• Establish a Submission Process and Invest in Technology: Companies should choose corporate giving software that suits their needs, simplifies employee participation, and ensures the smooth operation of the program.
• Increase Visibility through Databases: Add your program to the Double the Donation database, which increases visibility to nonprofits and employee donors. Consider consulting a corporate giving expert or using management software to stay organized.
• Clarify Corporate Giving Goals: Solidify your corporate giving goals and determine the impact you want to have on society.
• Collect Employee Feedback: Involve employees in decision-making to ensure the program aligns with their interests and needs.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Tech Sustainability

• Growth in Corporate Giving: In recent years, giving has increased by over 15% for 6 out of 10 companies. Corporations gave more than $21.08 billion to nonprofits in 2022, up 3.4% from 2021.
• Matching Gifts and Volunteer Grant Funds: Microsoft is one of the largest contributors of matching gift and volunteer grant funds, with 65% of its employees participating in the annual giving campaign.

Partnering with Nonprofits for Bulk IT Donations

• Top Corporate Donations: The top 10 corporations donate over $2 billion annually to nonprofits through employee-matching gift programs.
• Workplace Giving Impact: Over $5 billion is raised annually through workplace giving, with more than 50% coming from employee matching gift programs.
• Unclaimed Matching Gifts: Approximately $2–$3 billion is donated annually through matching gift programs, but an estimated $4 to $7 billion in matching gift funds go unclaimed each year.
• Employee Awareness: Over 26 million individuals work for companies with matching gift programs, but 78% are unaware their company offers such programs or know any details.

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Get Started: Donate Your Computer Today!

Computer donation programs are vital in helping individuals, communities, and the environment. Donating your old computers can bridge the digital divide, provide valuable educational resources to underserved populations, and contribute to a more sustainable future by reducing e-waste.

By donating, you not only extend the life cycle of your equipment but also receive potential tax benefits. Whether you’re an individual, a business, or a nonprofit, various options and simple steps are available to ensure your old computers are used for a meaningful cause.

give IT. get IT.is one such initiative that empowers individuals and organizations by providing refurbished computers and training to needy communities. Get involved today and make a difference!

FAQs:

Q: How do I donate a computer to give IT. get IT.?
A: You can donate by visiting our website, filling out a donation form, and arranging a pickup or drop-off.

Q: What types of computers can I donate?
A: We accept desktops, laptops, and accessories in working condition. Older devices may be recycled responsibly.

Q: Do you wipe data from donated computers?
A: Yes, we perform secure data wiping to ensure all personal and business data is permanently removed.

Q: Who receives donated computers?
A: Donated computers go to schools, nonprofits, low-income families, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Q: Can businesses donate computers in bulk?
A: Yes! We help businesses securely donate surplus IT equipment while ensuring compliance with data security standards.