A local business wants to donate computers to our organization - is this a good idea?

Four things every non profit should consider when accepting donated technology:

1 - Have you seen all the equipment the donor wants to donate?

2 - Is it going to suit your purposes for at least 2 years?

3 - Is the equipment in question complete, functional and properly licensed?

4 - Do you have a recycling estimate for the unusable portion and will the donor cover the cost?

Donated technology if managed properly can be a blessing, however some less than charitable donors occasionally abuse non profits by dumping their old (and often not usable) technology on them to avoid recycling costs.

If you have confident responses to each of the four questions above, or at the very least are considering a small donation, it is likely to help not hurt your organization.  ITE often refurbishes/relicenses donations for other non profits in the event you have a great donation opportunity, but don't have the technical capacity to make it useful.

Another precaution in the interest of your donor:  Maine's D.E.P. regulations concerning the management of surplus/unwanted electronics (computers etc) require the generator (donor in this case) use a licensed Universal Hazardous Waste recycler - like a clearing house - for the management, disposal or reuse of these materials.

In other words - it is technically illegal for a business to give it's surplus/unwanted technology to anyone other than a D.E.P. licensed recycler/processor.  It is for this reason, that we created the eWaste Alternatives program - Maine's only licensed in-state processor of electronics.  The technology donations we receive are screened for reuse, and the good items are made available to non profits through eWaste Alternatives and our Online Store.

Good Luck!