Check First Before Donating Your PC
December is a big month for giving. I’m not sure if it’s the holiday spirit or because it’s our last chance to get a tax deduction, but either way it’s a good month for charities and other nonprofit organizations.
It really is better to give than to receive, but if you’re thinking of donating used computer equipment, think carefully. Regardless of your intentions, a poorly placed donation can do more harm than good.
I’m not suggesting that you not donate your PC to a school, community group, place of worship or other nonprofit group. But I am urging you to think about how that machine will be used. It’s great if it fits into their program, but if no one at the organization knows what to do with the machine, you could be giving them what amounts to a white elephant or, worse, a Trojan horse.
Daniel Ben-Horin, executive director of Compumentor, a San Francisco-based agency that provides computer support to nonprofits, cautions against just dropping off a computer on an organization’s doorstep.
“A computer, by itself, isn’t necessarily going to help the group,” Ben-Horin warns. “It’s important that the machine and its software be appropriate to the group’s needs.” It’s also important, he says, that “someone in the group know how to use the system.” Compumentor accepts only working DOS/Windows systems at the 286 level and above, as well as Macs at the SE level and higher.
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Some organizations are happy to take an old IBM PC, Apple II, Commodore or even an ancient CP/M machine. But whatever you do, don’t just donate a piece of equipment. Donate a solution. Talk to staff or volunteers at the organization to make sure the donation is suitable. If the group already has IBM-compatibles, for example, a lone Mac might be more of a hassle than it’s worth because it won’t be compatible with the group’s printers, software and other systems. On the other hand, it may be just what the group needs for graphics, communications or other tasks.
Avoid giving a system that will wind up robbing productivity by diverting staff or volunteer time from other tasks. Non-working machines can pose a major problem. To be really helpful, and possibly to get a rewarding experience yourself, it’s best if you can set up the machine and train the people to use it. Give some thought to the software. Programs that work for you might be too complicated for volunteers. For many nonprofits, I recommend Microsoft Works (DOS, Mac and Windows) as an easy word processor, database and spreadsheet rolled into one. The DOS version costs about $110, but it’s worth it if it helps turn an XT or 286 into a productive system.
Lots of schools can use equipment, but, again, it’s important to talk with teachers and staff about how the equipment can be used. A lot of schools are standardized on Apple II or Macs, but an IBM-compatible PC, complete with software, might be what the school needs to help teach word processing, database, spreadsheet or other skills.
Speaking of software, it’s generally a copyright violation to leave software on the hard disk of any machine you donate or sell unless you also provide original diskettes and documentation. Some software publishers allow customers to give copies to schools or other nonprofits, but, to be legal, you should first check with the software company.
If you do donate to a school, church or other tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, you may be able to deduct the market value of the machine. Be sure you get a receipt. Some organizations will estimate the market value of the equipment, while others will let you determine the value.
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If you can’t locate an organization that will make good use of your equipment, you can call one of several national clearinghouses that help link equipment donors with nonprofit organizations.
Gifts in Kind America of Alexandria, Va., ((703) 836-2121 or fax (703) 549-1481) gets most of its equipment from companies, but it can also help individuals place equipment with nonprofit organizations in their areas. The organization maintains a database of groups that need equipment and, if they can make a match, they’ll put you in touch with a local agency.
The National Cristina Foundation, which provides support for organizations that train people with “disabilities, at-risk students and the disadvantaged” can use all types of computer equipment and software, including boards, disk drives and other components. Like Gifts in Kind, it will scan its database for groups in your area. Call them at (800) 274-7846 or, better yet, fax your list to (203) 622-6270.
The East West Foundation ((617) 542-1234) provides used equipment to training centers around the world, including Russia and developing countries. Unlike other agencies, they can take equipment, including boards and even chips, in any condition and perform “technical triage,” putting together systems from parts if necessary. You have to send the equipment to the foundation’s warehouse in Boston, which, in some situations, could cost more than the equipment is worth. Call for details.
Computer File welcomes your comments. Write to Lawrence J. Magid, 898 Chestnut St., Suite 3, Redwood City, CA 94063, or message magid@latimes.com on the Internet or KPVN58A on Prodigy.
