Our Refurbished Laptop Program is for nonprofit direct service providers (social workers, caseworkers, educators, or healthcare workers) looking to connect a client without a computer in their household to a free refurbished laptop. We collected used laptops from the community, wipe them (according to the US DoD 5220.22-M Standard as well as 20+ international data sanitizing standards), and refurbish them to distribute to adults on the other side of the digital divide.
Due to last year’s demand far surpassing our resources (funding, laptops, and volunteers), this program is on hold indefinitely while we reassess program infrastructure and procure donations. Check back here for any updates once the program is back up and running. (Please do not call/email DANEnet for updates, as we have no one administering this program right now.)
We provide information for qualifying households in Dane County about affordable home internet options that range $10-$30/mo for service for families participating in SNAP and other programs. (Please do not call the DANEnet office for this information.)
Affordable internet program information:
Affordable Connectivity Program
Lifeline
Spectrum Internet Assist
ATT Access
Adults can gain basic computer skills in our free classes held at libraries and community centers. Classes typically cover:
- Computer Basics
- Internet Basics & Safety
- Tools for Writing: Google Docs & MS Word
- Troubleshooting Computer Problems
Any scheduled classes are listed below. If none are listed, we do not yet have the funds to offer them. Please consider making a donation.
Our Fix-IT Clinics offer free computer support/repair for adults from low-income households. Fix-IT Clinics are held in libraries and community centers and folks can bring in their device (smart phone, tablet, laptop, tower, etc) for our technicians to assess and repair (if possible).
Any scheduled Fix-IT Clinics are listed below. If none are listed, we do not yet have the funds to offer them. Please consider making a donation.
2023 Classes/Help Clinics
Walk-In Computer Assistance
4-6pm Wednesdays
Madison Public Library Central
201 W Mifflin St, Study Room 211
Click Here for Schedule
Free classes are made possible by awesome donors.
Please support digital equity by making a donation today!
2023 Clinics TBA
Fix-IT Clinics are made possible by awesome donors.
Please support digital equity by making a donation today!
Things to Donate
DONATE COMPUTERS:
Working Windows laptops running Windows 10 (2015 or newer) with power cords
(min. 4 GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive)
Working Apple laptops or tablets (2010 or newer), with power cords
Working keyboards/mice (preferable wired/USB)
++ CLICK HERE for full donation guidelines ++
WHAT WE CANNOT TAKE:
Desktop computers
Laptops running anything but Windows 10
Apple devices older than 2010
Chromebooks
cellphones
printers, scanners, or fax machines
anything needing repair
Email info@danenet.org if you have something to donate and we can arrange drop-off/pick-up!
DONATE STOCK:
Donating stock can have two-fold tax savings benefits: you could avoid capital gains tax for those securities and receive a tax deduction for your contribution. Contributions of stock are greatly appreciated and welcome.
Please give the following information to your broker:
Investment Custodian: Edward Jones
FBO: DANEnet
DTC: 0057
Account: 35821063
Please contact Bob Allbright at Edward Jones via 608-935-9299 when you have completed your request to your broker. (They will ask for your name, address, and email or phone number for tax purposes.)
Donate Money
Want to support digital equity and access, and help low-income households stay connected? Your generous donations can help in so many ways!
$15,000 pays for a full year of weekly 2-hour Tech Repair Clinics at a community center or library, offering free professional computer repair for people without the means to fix them.
$3,000 buys 200 laptop cases for the free laptops we give to low-income households without computers over the course of a year.
$1,000 allows us to offer our free 4-class Basic Computer Literacy series at a local library or community center. Adults from low-income households learn Computer Basics, Using Word/Google Docs, Internet Basics, and Laptop Troubleshooting.
$500 covers the cost of all Computer Literacy class handouts for one year!
$300 pays for us to hold a free, 2-hour Tech Repair Clinic at a community center or library, offering professional computer/device repair for people without the means to fix them.
$100 buys two SSD for donated laptops that we couldn't refurbish without new hard drives.
$50 covers the cost of us refurbishing one donated laptop to distribute to a family or adult in need.
ANY amount helps us close the digital divide in Dane County!
Learn more about our Digital Equity Project, working to promote digital equity in Dane County.