10 Places to Donate Used Computers, Monitors and TVs

This Chicago-based nonprofit takes donations of used computers locally but they are working towards growing and opening up other drop-off locations throughout the United States.

Computers for Schools is a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher. They take used computers, repair them, and then sell them for about 1/3rd the price of new equipment to schools.

According the their website, "Your computer donation is completely tax deductible and will make an amazing difference to families in need throughout the United States. We accept Pentium 4 and above Computer Donations to benefit numerous charities and families."

Whenever financially beneficial, Computers With Causes will repair, refurbish, and properly prepare donated property for placement into an educational environment or other cause they support.

Donations Accepted: Pentium 4 and above; old and new computers, lap tops, and computer equipment.

This free directory lists thousands of donation sites and recycling centers for computers, monitors, TVs, and all types of office and electronic equipment. (They also list places to donate just about anything else as well.)

Search their site by donation type and enter your city, state, and zip code. Earth911.com will tell you where you can drop off computers and equipment in your local area.

Educational Assistance Ltd. (EAL) takes donated computers and equipment and exchanges these goods for scholarships within a national network of accredited colleges and universities. All scholarships are designated for students with severe financial need.

Corporate Donors: EAL's services are free. They coordinate the entire donation process. EAL offers, "You can free warehouse space quickly and easily, and EAL provides a donation receipt for tax purposes. You get a single shipping address for your entire donation, EAL will follow your guidelines when determining where your donation will be placed, and scholarships can be awarded in your company name."

Donations Accepted: Newer computers and excess inventory from corporations nationwide.

The Freecycle Network is a nonprofit organization but you will not get a tax receipt for “donating” items through their list serve. But you can feel good knowing when you use Freecycle you are helping the environment by recycling your unwanted items.

Freecycle is a free Internet service that allows people to offer items they no longer need for free to others who can use them.

To join Freecycle (it’s free), visit their website and locate the list that serves your geographic area. Be sure to read Freecycle’s rules about posting because the lists are moderated and anyone who abuses list priviledges will get banned.

Donations Accepted: Any non-living thing (plants excluded) that can be legally given away.

Goodwill Industries of Southern California Computer Recycling Services collects and repairs and then sells used computer equipment. This innovative program can take individual donations or large donations from companies that are upgrading computer systems and who may have large quantities of old computer equipment to donate.

Donations Accepted: Used computers, monitors, TV sets, digital cameras, printers, modems, and other electronic equipment (any condition). They also accept empty printer cartridges. Donate individual items in person, but Goodwill will pick up from larger businesses.

Email: ComputerRecycling@goodwill.org; Phone: 323-539-2130

The National Center for Electronics Recycling (NCER) is a nonprofit organization formed in 2005 dedicated to the development and enhancement of a national infrastructure for the recycling of used electronics in the United States.

NCER is a great resource to find a local recycler in your geographic area. Enter your zip code and NCER shows all nearby recyclers on a pop-up map.

The National Cristina Foundation (NCF) can help you match office equipment and computers with nonprofit organizations. NCF focuses exclusively on helping education-related nonprofits including schools and public agencies that use technology to train disabled individuals.

They also seek to support nonprofits and agencies that help train economically disadvantaged individuals.

Donations Accepted: Limited to usable computers and office equipment. Phone: (203) 863-9100. Their website has a link feature you can use to completely “wipe” your hard drive before your donate your computer.

TechSoup.org is a nonprofit organization that offers low-cost (and sometimes free) software, tech services, and equipment to other tax-exempt nonprofits. TechSoup works with equipment and software providers for large-scale donations, but it also lists more than 600 Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers (MARs) that take donations used computers from individuals.

Computers donated to MARs are repaired and sent to nonprofits and assistance organizations throughout the world.

List of Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers

The World Computer Exchange works closely with 465 Partner organizations, a consortium of 25 Strategic Allies, and a number of Informal Allies throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

 

Donations Accepted: Working items only, including Pentium 3 and above desktop and laptop computers; AMD and Celeron computers that are at least 450 MHz. Macs G3 and G4 laptops. Monitors: 15"-19" color monitors less than 9 years old and have a built in auto switch for the voltage. Working keyboards, mice, cables, and power cords, parts, scanners, etc.

 

Complete List of Items Accepted