The Nonprofit FAQ
| Is it possible to get computer equipment donated? |
| The way to get donated equipment is to ask. 1) Institutions/Businesses: Find a nearby bank, university or company that is upgrading, going out of business or downsizing and simply ask -- nicely -- for a donation of their still-working 386's or better. Make sure you have someone knowledgable check it out so you don't end up having to add a lot of things. Contact local colleges and universities which may have recycling programs in place for computer hardware and software. If none, suggest they start one. In Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon Univ. has started a recycling program through the campus computer store with the stated goal of marketing older computer equipment ot local nonprofits. For info on how the CMU program was started/works contact: ps00+@andrew.cmu.edu. 2) Individuals: Some potential donors like the idea of donating something tangible. Maybe one (or a family, or several) can be persuaded that the very mission of the organization can be carried out so much better, efficiently and effectively with better use of volunteer and paid personnel that they'll give the system. 3) Grants: Though few and far between, more and more foundations are funding grants for hardware and software -- especially for the more "popular" social service areas. They recognize the long term program and financial benefit. [See elsewhere for Grants Resources or check The Foundation Directory in your library.] Seek out THE DIRECTORY OF COMPUTER AND HIGH TECHNOLOGY GRANTS by Richard M. Eckstein (Margate, FL) and various Research Grant Guides at a Foundation/Nonprofit Resource Center. 4) There are services that help with finding used computers. See http://www.nonprofits.org/npofaq/05/19.html 5) The following corporations may donate hardware: Apple Computer Type of gifts: Donates computers to environmental organizations and schools nationwide. Also gives equipment and cash to nonprofits working with young people in the San Francisco Bay area. BUT, Brad Lewis [Mailto: brad@taimyr.colorado.edu] wrote in May of 1995: Just for an update on Apple Computer's hardware donation program, I received news from Apple Community Affairs that they are only giving to K-12 educational institutions at this time. They will not consider any other applications for grants or other aid at this time. I thought this may save someone the time and trouble of contacting them. Deadline for the K-12 program was in Feb., 1995. Brad E. Lewis, Projects Coordinator, Southern Rockies Restoration Project AST Research Types of Gifts: Cash and computers to schools and nonprofits providing health care and social services. Gateway 2000 Types of Gifts: Cash and computers to environmental groups, national and local. Aids nonprofits in Sioux City region. Silicon Graphics Types of Gifts: Cash and used computer equipment to nonprofits providing job training and social services, as well as used equipment to schools. Gives new equipment to higher education institutions, especially those with computer science depts. Sun Microsystems Types of Gifts: Cash grants to groups in the San Francisco Bay area and the Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts to support business development and job and leadership training for low-income people. Also (in those areas) to schools that provide economics instruction and programs to motivate youth to attend college. Gives software and hardware to colleges, universities and other nonprofits that support academic research. To apply for hardware aid, contact the Academic Equipment Grant Program at 415-336-0814. Other Equipment: McCaw Cellular Communications (since Spring '95: ATT Wireless) Types of Gifts: Provides cellular telephones and free phone service as well as cash to nonprofits in the 20 areas where the company has operations. Octel Communications Corporation Types of Gifts: Provides Voice-mail telephone systems and cash to a wide range of nonprofits in the 14 US cities where it operates as well as to groups in its international locations. NOTE: This list was prepared in the mid-'90s. Much of the information is probably no longer accurate. Corrections and updates should be sent to editor@nonprofits.org. Thank you. Minor changes 8/4/01 -- PB |