TecsChange, based in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, provides recycled computers, services of skilled volunteers, and computer training to nonprofit groups in the Boston area and around the world.
Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs in computer lingo) for people interested in donating computer equipment to TecsChange. We hope that they answer most of the questions that you may have. If you have other questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to email our Donations Coordinator at donations@tecschange.org , or contact us at TecsChange.
TecsChange -
Technology for Social Change
83 Highland St.
Roxbury, MA
02119
617.442.4456
tecschange@tecschange.org
What equipment can you accept?
As of the January of 2007, we are looking for Pentium IV computers Specifically, we are looking for: [Items highlighted in red are the things we need the most].
Do you do pickups?
We have a small number of volunteers who can pick up equipment in the Boston area and some of the suburbs. Since we are a volunteer-run organization, and since most of our volunteers spend their time tutoring in our computer repair courses, we are not always able to pick up equipment. In general, we can't pick up individual computers. We greatly appreciate deliveries of donations. However, before dropping off or mailing us any equipment, please call or email us to make sure that we can use it.
How will the donated equipment be used?
Most equipment is used in our computer repair courses, here in Boston. The computer repair course are intended to benefit those who can't afford to purchase new computers. Each student works on several computers, learning about computer repair and maintenance in the process. Upon graduation, each student gets to take home one of the computers that they have worked on.
Are equipment donations to TecsChange tax-deductible?
YES! We are a non-profit organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization. Therefore, all donations to TecsChange are fully tax-deductible. The only IRS requirement is that you not receive any good or services in exchange for your donation. We will supply an itemized receipt, making the donations tax-deductible.
Will you determine the value of my tax deducion?
According to IRS regulations, we can not determine the value of your donations. That is between you and your accountant. According to the IRS, the amount of deduction is based on the price that a "willing buyer" will pay for your equipment. We recommend that you use "for sale" ads (either in the want-ads or from on-line sources) to determine the value of your donation at the time that the donation was made. Our receipt will specify when your donation was made and what was donated. Please note that the market value of computer equipment falls quite rapidly, so it is best to donate early and document the value at the time of donation.
Please click here for help valuing your equipment donation.
Do you ever sell any of the donated computers or charge for your donations?
We never sell any of the computers that the students work on (or any other equipment that meets our donation criteria). Occasionally we sell equipment that we can't use in our program (for example UNIX workstations or high-end monitors that need extensive repair). Proceeds from these sales are used to purchase spare parts for the computer repair courses.
We have never charged money for any of our donations. Our primary goal is to benefit those who can't afford to purchase computers (even at discounted prices).
Will you accept older equipment?
Our primary goal is to make sure that the computers earned by students and donated to nonprofit organizations are useful for at least a few years. We therefore can?t accept any computer equipment that is older than the specs listed above. Click here for a list of places to donate older equipment.
Will you take Macintosh computers?
TecsChange focuses
on IBM-compatible equipment only. The South Africa Township Schools Project,
based in Medford, is accepting Macs -- ranging from SE to G4 models. You can
read an early (2001) article about their project at: http://www.riverdeep.net/current/2001/11/111901_computers.jhtml
If you email them at field@theworld.com
they will email you a full description of exactly what Mac equipment they will
accept and how to proceed.
I have equipment that is not located in the Boston area. What do you recommend that I do with it?
We will gladly accept equipment that meets the above criteria if you are willing to ship it to us. However, before shipping anything, please get in touch with us to confirm that the donation will be useful. Also, for donations of exceptional value (currently including CD ROM drives, laser printers and Pentium computers in working condition) we may be able to pay for shipping. If you're not sure, send us an email.
There are also a several nationwide web sites to facilitate donating computers. Click here for a list of places to donate older equipment.
I have computer equipment that I want to donate to TecsChange. How should I proceed?
If you have access to email, please click here to send us an email message with a brief description of what you have. Also, please specify approximate quantities, where the equipment is located, and how to contact you. A phone number is especially helpful. If you don't have access to email, you can click here to give us the information online using our donations offer form. It's convenient, and you can do it right now! You can also call 617-442-4456 and leave a message in the voice mailbox for 'donating computers to TecsChange'. (Please give the same information that is requested on the form; it's what we need to know to help process your offer of equipment efficiently.)
What if I have confidential information on my hard disk?
The first thing we always do (after testing/upgrading the hardware) is run FDISK and FORMAT on the hard disks, to wipe them clean. Then we reinstall software from scratch. (And we only use licenses that have been explicitly donated to us.) We are very strict about this. We do this to protect you against disclosure of proprietary information, and to protect us against viruses that may be on the hard disks. Also, many of our best donations come from companies that have donated to us in the past. We want to make sure that we don't jeopardize these relationships!
We believe that this procedure protects against all but the most sophisticated data recovery tools. But if you are still uncomfortable about the risk of distribution of your proprietary information, there is software that is designed to explicitly wipe all information from the hard disk. For example, you can use Norton Utilities or a program called Wipedisk to completely wipe all data from your hard disk before donating the computer.
How else can I support the work of TecsChange?
If you don't have any equipment for us, but would like to support our work, please consider making a cash donation. We are an all-volunteer organization supported through small individual contributions. Your donation will go towards purchasing missing parts for reconditioned computers and will help cover shipping expenses.
Checks can be made out to TecsChange and sent to:
TecsChange
83
Highland St.
Roxbury, MA 02119
Please note that all donations to TecsChange (both cash and equipment) are fully tax deductible.
Thanks!
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83
Highland Street •
Roxbury (Boston), Massachusetts • 617.442-4456
e-mail: tecschange@tecschange.org • web:
http://www.tecschange.org
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