Computers for Charity?

[furlong47]

Does anyone know of a good place that may donate or have cheap computers for charities? My friend is going on a missions trip to Mexico in a few months and they need a computer or two to take with them. Nothing fancy, early pentium or a fast 486. (but anything better would be great!) I know there are some places that do give donations, I was just wondering if anyone has heard of a good one.

(edited to include specs
--486-66 or Pentium
--Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 or better
--8 Megs of RAM (for Windows 3.1) or 16 Megs of RAM (for Windows(95/98)
--CD-ROM drive
--sound card (ability to use headphones)
--10 Megabytes of hard-disk space (not Gigs, mind you, though I really hope they want a bigger harddrive than that, but that is what her email said)
--monitor

[Wayward Clam]

If you have any advance warning of this, I would say alert the local charities, schools, and Computer Renaissances that YOU are taking old 486s, because these groups AREN'T any more and will be more than happy to find someone to unload them on.

I know I would

[kannibul]

something of note:
companies can write off their donation as a tax write off, so mention this to them, and see if you can get something NICE. comanies are more than willing to get the tax break...

[GirlGeek]

From what I understand, it's only a tax write off if it's being donated to a non profit organization. I do some work with a computers for kids project in my town and that's the way it was explained to me by my accountant.

[furlong47]

Originally posted by GirlGeek:
From what I understand, it's only a tax write off if it's being donated to a non profit organization. I do some work with a computers for kids project in my town and that's the way it was explained to me by my accountant.

They ARE a nonprofit organization, GirlGeek. My friend has already mentioned that whatever donations we can find are tax deductable.

[gl993]

Check any local military bases. Generally they donate older systems to schools, but others with legit needs could also get them.

[cyberhh]

Most corporations donate their old computers to a charity - just call the mis department.

BTW - For your reference I work with a few NPO companies and am happy to take any old hardware/software off your hands to give to them, just let me know. They can use a 486dx or better with basic, basic specs for everything from giving to families that cannot afford one so they have a way to type a school paper to setting up at an after school program so the nieghborhood kids have something to do.

Thanks