We collect donated laptops from the community, refurbish them, then distribute them to low-income households without computers via our network of nonprofit direct service providers (social workers, caseworkers, educators, or healthcare workers). All donated laptops are securely wiped (according to the US DoD 5220.22-M Standard as well as 20+ international data sanitizing standards) and refurbished by volunteers. Click here if you have a laptop to donate!
Our goal is to connect adults on the other side of the digital divide to help them thrive. Since COVID hit in 2020, we have refurbished and distributed over 400 donated computers to adults, seniors, and families isolated from the resources and opportunities a computer can provide. Access to a computer means adults are better equipped to develop skills they need to enter the workforce and earn better wages, parents can more easily support their child’s education, veterans’ and rural-area families get access to online healthcare support, and seniors are offered an opportunity to improve their social and civic engagement!
Our Refurbished Laptop Program does not distribute laptops to the general public; they are distributed through direct service providers at partner agencies.
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.
Links to affordable internet program information:
Affordable Connectivity Program
Lifeline
Spectrum Internet Assist
ATT Access
Adults can gain basic computer skills and help with tech questions in our free classes or Walk-in Computer Help Clinics held at libraries and community centers. Classes typically cover:
- Computer Basics
- Internet Basics, Privacy & Safety
- Tools for Writing: Google Docs & MS Word
- Troubleshooting Computer Problems
Any scheduled classes or walk-in clinics are listed below. If none are listed, we do not yet have the funds to offer them. Please consider making a donation. If your non-profit agency is interested in funding and hosting class/es or Walk-in Computer Help Clinic/s for your clients (or staff), call Shawn at (608) 274-3107 ext 3.
Our Free Tech Repair Clinics offer computer support/repair for adults from low-income households. Tech Repair Clinics are typically held in libraries, community centers, or partner non-profit agencies and folks can bring in their device (smart phone, tablet, laptop, tower, etc) for our technicians to assess and repair (if possible).
Any scheduled Tech Repair Clinics are listed below. If none are listed, we do not yet have the funds to offer them. Please consider making a donation. If your non-profit agency is interested in funding and hosting a Tech Repair Clinic, call Shawn at (608) 274-3107 ext 3.
2023 Classes/Help Clinics
Walk-In Computer Assistance
4-6pm Wednesdays
Madison Public Library Central
201 W Mifflin St, Study Room 211
Call 608-266-6350 to make a 30-minute appointment
Click Here for the full Madison Public Library Calendar
Free classes are made possible by awesome donors.
Please support digital equity by making a donation today!
2024 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:
We collect donated laptops from the community, refurbish them, then distribute them to low-income households without computers via our network of nonprofit direct service providers (social workers, caseworkers, educators, or healthcare workers). All donated laptops are securely wiped (according to the US Dept of Defense 5220.22-M Standard as well as 20+ international data sanitizing standards) and refurbished by volunteers. Our goal is to connect adults on the other side of the digital divide with better jobs, educational success, remote healthcare, and other resources that can help them thrive.
WHAT WE CAN USE:
PC laptops from 2015 or later running Windows, with power cords
(min. 4 GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive)
Apple MacBooks or iPads from 2010 or later, with power cords
Working keyboards/mice (preferable wired/USB)
Anything from our Amazon Wish List
++ CLICK HERE for full donation guidelines ++
WHAT WE ARE UNABLE TO TAKE:
anything needing repair or missing its hard drive
Desktop computers
PC laptops running anything but Windows
Chromebooks
cellphones
printers, scanners, or fax machines
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. On top of those benefits, by supporting digital equity in the community with your stock donation, you are providing adults with the skills they need to enter the workforce, allowing families to better support their child's education, assisting veterans' access to online healthcare support, and offering seniors a chance to improve their social and civic engagement!
Donating stock is easy! Just 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 after you've made your stock donation request to your broker. Providing Bob at Edward Jones your name, address, and email or phone number allows us to send you the necessary donation letter for your tax filing.
Donate Money
By supporting digital equity in the community with your donation, you are providing adults with the skills they need to enter the workforce, allowing families to better support their child's education, assisting veterans' and rural-area families access to online healthcare support, and offering veterans and seniors a chance to improve their social and civic engagement!
$15,000 pays for a full year of free weekly Walk-In Computer Help or Tech Repair Clinic at a local community center or library --helping hundreds of low-income adults and seniors needing help learning how to use computers or looking for tech repair assistance.
$4,000 buys 200 laptop cases for the free laptops we give to low-income households without computers over the course of a year.
$1,000 covers the cost of refurbishing 20 donated laptops, which go to low-income households without a computer.
$500 covers the cost of printing our Computer Literacy Guides for one year, which go to laptop recipients and visitors to our Computer Help Clinics.
$300 allows us to offer one free, 2-hour Walk-In Computer Help or Tech Repair Clinic at a community center or library.
$100 buys hard drives for two donated laptops that we couldn't refurbish without new hard drives.
$50 covers the cost refurbishing one donated laptop to distribute to a family or adult in need.
ANY amount helps us close the digital divide in Dane County, which means a better prepared workforce, more successful students, healthier community, and more engaged seniors and veterans! Learn more about our Digital Equity Project, working to promote digital equity in Dane County.