Hardware Donation Programs

While software donations (see TechSoup article: Soliciting Software Donations) and discounts (see TechSoup article: A Quick Guide to Discounted Software Programs) can be had relatively easily, getting donated hardware is a pretty big gamble. If you need new PCs for your staff, or you are looking to upgrade a couple computers, soliciting a hardware donation isn't the wisest use of your time. However, there are several companies that may be willing to help you outfit a computer lab for your clients or develop a large networking project in your area. Universities, schools, and larger nonprofits are more likely to be the recipient of hardware donations. The following is a sampling of the hardware donation programs available.

3Com: 3Com in the Community

Products:

networking hardware (i.e. routers, network cards, switches, hubs, etc.)

Details:

3Com focuses on community investments that leverage employee skills, build pride, and demonstrate the power of 3Com technology. Specific areas of community investment often include the advancement of education and community economic development through networking technology.

All projects must:

Enhance the education and learning process of people
Demonstrate the power of networking technology transform the way people learn, live, and connect
Allow for replication in other locations provide a regional focus in 3Com communities

Qualifications:

Organizations applying must also be tax-exempt as defined by the Internal Revenue Code 501c(3), a government agency, or a public or private educational institution. This program does NOT fund political or religious groups, private foundations, individuals, advertisements, fundraising events, raffles, auctions, athletic programs, or organizations having unlawful discriminatory practices. 3Com reserves the right to the interpretation, application, and administration of its programs.

To Apply:

Fill out the Product Donation Request Form on-line for a donation request.

HP: HP U.S. Philanthropy Programs

Products:

printers, computers, servers, notebooks, copiers, scanners, network hardware

Details:

In the United States, HP supports tax-exempt charitable organizations and educational institutions. More than three-quarters of HP's giving in the United States is in education, and most of that is to higher education. HP prefers to donate equipment rather than cash.

Employees make the grant decisions. They serve on national and university boards, which review grants that serve colleges and universities or serve a national or large regional constituency, and on contributions committees at major HP locations, which fund local schools and nonprofit agencies.

Qualifications:

HP will not support the requests from individuals, religious activities, for-profit ventures, churches sponsorships, conferences, seminars, contests, fund-raising activities, promotional items, sports events, marketing, <abbr title=">TV and video production, research or feasibility studies, or requests from individual K-12 schools (A school located near an HP site may qualify for a donation from that site. )

HP also does not accept requests for used/discontinued products or for discounted purchases (Schools can get discounts on HP products. Visit HP K-12 education or HP Higher education for more information).

To Apply:

For specific HP Grant Guidelines, visit your local HP grants Web page.

IBM

Products:

printers, computers, servers, notebooks, memory, and other hardware

Details:

IBM offers discounted hardware to nonprofits that are registered with Gifts in Kind International. Savings are typically 10 percent off the retail prices (though you may find deals for volume purchases).

Also consider IBM's used equipment program. You can get equipment (printers, computers, servers, notebooks, network hardware) that has been tested and certified for a fraction of the original price. The equipment comes with guarantees that you may not find from other sources of used or refurbished equipment.

Visit IBM's page for Certified Used Equipment for more details.

Dell

The Dell Foundation supports innovative community programs that equip youth for success in the digital world. The foundation supports a wide range of programs and organizations that benefit children newborn to eighteen years of age in Dell's principle U.S. locations. The Dell Foundation supports fundamental prerequisites to children's ability to learn and excel in a world driven by the digital economy.

The foundation welcomes proposals from organizations addressing the health and human services, the education, and the technology access needs of youth as defined below:

• Organizations must be in one of the following:
  • Texas - Travis, Williamson County, McLennan County
  • Tennessee - Wilson, Davidson County
  • Idaho - Twin Falls County
  • Oregon (Roseburg) - Douglas County
• Must be registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
• Must provide direct programs and services to youth ages newborn to high school seniors
• Foundation giving does not extend to individuals, academic or research projects, civic, religious or political institutions, school fundraisers, capital campaigns, sponsorships, marketing opportunities, event fundraisers or sports events and organizations.

Further Information

This is by no means a comprehensive list. Smaller, local, hardware companies and computer manufacturers may also donate hardware to nonprofits. Also, Gifts In Kind International has a number of hardware discount programs available for registered members.

A more direct source for hardware would be to purchase recycled or refurbished equipment. Check out Techsoup hardware recycling section. Here you'll find national and local hardware manufacturers and resellers -- online and brick-and-mortar -- that sell used hardware to nonprofit organizations. Instead of dealing with the sometime lengthy and extensive grant-writing process, you may find it cheaper and faster to go with recycled hardware.