Donate & Refurbish Laptops
Help Level the Digital Playing Field
Can you imagine living without a computer in this day and age? That’s the unfortunate reality for more than 40 percent of lower-income adults in the United States, according to a 2021 Pew Research Center Study. Without a reliable computer, people struggle to access information, employment opportunities, education, government services, and more.
Help change this reality and level the digital playing field by being part of the KindWorks Digital Empowerment Initiative. We collect used computers and refurbish them to like-new condition—a process that includes wiping donated computers clean of all personal files and settings that may remain, adding any needed hardware or peripherals required to ensure full audio and video capabilities, and loading a current operating system plus a suite of free software to make the computer fully functional. Then we distribute the equipment, free of charge, to students, families, and individuals in need (as identified by local agencies and nonprofits), as well as deserving community groups. By providing these ready-to-use computers to those in need, we aim to increase community members’ access to services and improve digital literacy—plus, help our planet by reducing electronics sent to the landfill!
Here’s How to Get Involved
Donate Your Laptops!
We currently ONLY accept laptop computers, iPads, and other tablets that power on.
Please note these additional guidelines:
- As a general rule, we accept computers that are newer than 2015.
- PCs can be operating on Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10. (Those using Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP and Vista are too outdated.)
- We welcome all types of MacBooks, including the original MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air
- Before donating an iPad, please be sure to remove it from your iCloud (and FindMyPhone app). Here’s how.
- If your computer doesn’t power on at all, it’s best to dispose of it properly at an electronics recycling point. In Montgomery County, residents can drop off electronics for recycling at the Shady Grove Transfer Station or check the county’s Department of Environmental Protection website for additional recycling options.
- To donate working desktop computers, monitors, keyboards, printers, and other peripherals, we recommend contacting Phoenix Computers.
Where Our Refurbished Computers Go
Computers donated through the KindWorks Digital Empowerment Initiative are improving lives across our community. Here are some of the beneficiaries:
Students and families hampered by low income
through partnerships with Montgomery County Public Schools and related programs such as ACES (Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success) and Linkages to Learning, as well as Pride Youth Services, the Takoma Park Library, and others
Latino and other historically underserved youth
identified through our work with Identity Inc. in Gaithersburg
Resettling refugee families
via KindWorks home setups, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Lutheran Social Services (LSS), the Ethiopian Community Development Center (ECDC), the Immigrant and Refugee Outreach Center (IROC), Homes Not Borders, the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center, and Solutions in Hometown Connections
English language learners
through partnerships with the Literacy Council of Montgomery County and MD TESOL
Community organizations
including a vaccine clinic run by Cross Communities; FurnishHope DC, a new nonprofit that furnishes homes for those in need; a Manna Foods program to teach computer literacy to immigrants from Africa; the Upcounty Consolidation Hub, a food assistance provider; and a computer lab at a hotel in Bethesda providing long term temporary housing for resettling Afghan families
Thank You to Our Generous Donors
These companies have generously donated computer equipment to our program
Tech Connects
computers donated
(so far!)