Should BDPA Help Put Computers and Internet Access Into the Homes of Low-Income Families?

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is engaged in discussions about a new strategic alliance that would allow us to place personal computers and Internet access into the homes of many of the students that participate in our Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program.

It turns out that Redemtech, a world leader in IT Asset Disposition, joined with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski and Connect2Compete (C2C) to launch PC Pledge 100, a nationwide campaign to close the digital divide through corporate donations of used computers. Redemtech kicked off the drive by pledging 200 computers to the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and an additional 100 computers for nonprofits focused on digital literacy.

C2C is a $4 billion public-private initiative, launched by the FCC in December 2011 to narrow the digital divide by providing free digital literacy training, discounted high-speed Internet and low-cost computers for low-income Americans. Redemtech is the exclusive provider of Good PC^SM refurbished computers, complete with Genuine Microsoft software, warranty, technical support and free shipping to all eligible families. Redemtech additionally provides free asset recovery and recycling at end of life to ensure responsible disposal and mitigate corporate donors from environmental liability.


Through PC Pledge 100, businesses and other organizations can donate 100 or more computers to provide much-needed technology for low-income Americans who participate in C2C. Companies interested in donating can visit Redemtech.com/PCPledge. BDPA has over 90 corporate sponsors ... many of whom may want to participate in this program.

“While a home computer is essential to full participation in today’s society, more than 60 million U.S. homes lack a PC,” said Jill Vaské, Redemtech executive vice president. “Through PC Pledge 100, the business community can help C2C participants enjoy a better education, a brighter future and a world of possibilities.”

More than 17 million used-but-still-useful corporate PCs in the U.S. go to waste annually due to premature disposal or storage. While this equipment may be outdated by corporate standards, it remains useful to low-income families that need computers but cannot afford new technology.

“I am so pleased by Redemtech’s announcement today that it is launching a PC Pledge Drive to encourage computer donations,” said Genachowski. “This effort will help ensure that more Americans get affordable computers so they can get online and become full participants in our digital economy and culture.”

Giving ROI: Streamlined Donation Process Helps Businesses Reap Returns on Donations With more than a decade of experience in refurbishing and redeploying large volumes of corporate, Redemtech is uniquely qualified to provide the refurbishment and deployment services to support C2C. The company’s Serious Good® initiative streamlines the donation process for businesses and other organizations. Microsoft plays a key role in the program through its Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR) program that enables large refurbishers like Redemtech to supply PCs preinstalled with genuine Microsoft software at only a nominal cost to schools, nonprofit organizations and other specially approved recipients. This essential software has a retail value of approximately $500 – and adds tremendous value to the C2C computers.

“Microsoft recognizes the importance of technology access for under-served communities and supports Redemtech and Connect2Compete through our program that provides low-cost Windows and Office for disadvantaged groups. Redemtech is one of the largest members of this program and consistently develops innovative ways to reach new users of technology,” said Sean Nicholson, worldwide manager for Microsoft Registered Refurbisher program.

When corporations fund the refurbishment of donated PCs, they can realize a Giving ROI of $5 - $7 for every dollar invested, as documented in the Redemtech white paper “Giving: The Most Strategic IT Asset Disposition.” A leading analyst firm wrote last year that “Redemtech Re-writes the Rules on IT Equipment Donation” with Serious Good. The program is up and running. The question on the table is whether this is a program that would be of interest to BDPA at the local, regional or national interest.  

What say u?

Fundraising Tip: How To Secure Corporate Support

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) spends a good deal of our energy trying to ensure that we don't have conflicts with the corporate sales efforts of National BDPA or any of the 45 local BDPA chapters.   However, it has become more and more apparent over the past few years that our ability to generate revenues improves exponentially if we find ways to work together.

I think that the following fundraising tip provides some excellent food-for-thought on non-traditional ways that any nonprofit can find support from Corporate America as we continue through these tough economic times.

Pursue In-Kind Donations, Contributed Media
and Technical Expertise

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Especially since the economic downturn, it's become much more common for nonprofits and corporations to enter into partnerships that are less focused on direct financial support. In business they say "profits equals income minus expenses," and similarly for nonprofits, reducing operating costs is just as important as bringing more money in the door. Even in tough times like those we're going through, many companies are able to provide non-cash support that can be just as crucial as a monetary donation.

Here are three budget-relieving examples we encourage you to pursue:

1. In-Kind Support: Make-A-Wish Foundation of America has been particularly successful at developing what are called "cause-related marketing" partnerships with a variety of airlines, hotels, and travel providers. In their case, the nonprofit receives travel services that can be used in granting wishes. These donations save money that would have otherwise been expended, and is critical to fulfilling, the foundation's mission of granting wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Whether it's donated beer and wine for your next gala, free computers, or getting your airfare comped, how can corporate in-kind support advance your efforts and add money to your bottom line?
2. Contributed Media: The U.S. Fund for UNICEF has developed an innovative partnership with top advertising agencies. The agencies approach the companies they normally buy ad space from and ask them to donate time to support UNICEF's Believe in Zero campaign. Each year UNICEF receives more than $10 million in donated media to raise awareness for mission-critical initiatives, allowing them to deliver a call to action to targeted audiences. This relationship has been critical to the UNICEF and has resulted in them saving 2,000 lives every day -- that's direct mission impact. But you don't have to be a huge global player to secure contributed media -- call your local TV or radio station and ask if they're able to produce a PSA (public service announcement) for you and air it!
3. Technical Expertise: As part of their relationship with United Way of King County, the Seattle office of a global accounting firm reviewed United Way's IT infrastructure. They provided pro bono recommendations on how multiple databases could be integrated to provide more timely, accurate information, thereby improving United Way's service delivery. Although United Way isn't a mom and pop shop, they wouldn't have been able to pay for this kind of support. At the same time, the accounting firm enjoyed engaging employees in community building, building team morale. Whatever your size, look for a pro bono lawyer and accountant as well as technical support providers and other volunteer roles that may be filled by talented professionals.

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Our nonprofit can benefit from each of these three ideas because our focus has been almost entirely on direct financial support.   Perhaps it is a good idea to get Corporate America to say "yes" to supporting us ... even if that support is not in the form of a check!

This tip is inspired by Darian Heyman's new book, 'Nonprofit Management 101: A Complete and Practical Guide for Leaders and Professionals'.

Does this tip seem like one that you might use for your local chapter or nonprofit? If not, do you have a fundraising tip that you would like to share with us?

Computers for Learning

In order to encourage and promote the reuse of computers, GSA is proud to sponsor the new re-engineered Computers for Learning (CFL) website.

The CFL program evolved as a guide for implementing Executive Order 12999, Educational Technology: Ensuring Opportunity for all Children in the Next Century. The Executive Order encourages agencies, to the extent permitted by law, to transfer computers and related peripheral equipment excess to their needs directly to schools and some educational nonprofit organizations. The CFL program specifically matches the computer needs of schools and educational nonprofit organization with excess equipment in Federal agencies.

Direct transfers are authorized by law through 15 USC 3710(i) commonly known as the Stevenson-Wydler Act (amended by Public Law 102-245 on February 14, 1992).

The CFL program's ambitious goal is to make modern computer technology an integral part of every classroom so that every child has the opportunity to be educated to his or her full potential. This program can be phenomenally successful.

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation is registered on this site. Contact me if you have interest in seeing what hardware might be available for your chapter's youth education program.

Grant Award: HP Gifts In Kind ($3,897)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) worked closely with BDPA Cincinnati chapter members Wayne Stein and Yolanda Lauderdale to obtain in-kind donation of five HP Probook 6455b Notebook PCs, ten reams of multipurpose paper and a HP 6500A Plus wireless printer. The total list price of this in-kind donation is $3,897.

The printer and paper is being put to use by the BETF executive director. The five laptops are being held for use by the BDPA Cincinnati chapter.

Wayne Stein is a member of the BDPA Cincinnati chapter's Corporate Advisory Council. Yolanda Lauderdale recently led the chapter's delivery of an annual banquet.

BETF is grateful for the donation of HP equipment through the HP Employee Product Giving Program. We encourage all BDPA chapters with HP employees within their membership to take a hard look at this in-kind gift program. It worked for the Cincinnati chapter and is something that can work for the other 45 local BDPA chapters as well!

Grant Award: Discovering Your Potential (20 Laptop Computers)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is very proud to announce the successful effort to obtain in-kind donation of 20 laptop computers (value: $8,000) from Discovering Your Potential to the BDPA St. Louis chapter.

Toni Love

"Yes, we did receive the computers. We are using them for our High School Computer Competition (HSCC) students. Right now we have borrowed software for the operating systems from Monsanto. We hope to get donation of software licenses from Microsoft to donate us the software," said BDPA St. Louis chapter president Toni Love.

The mission of Discovering Your Potential is to serve as a resource for educators and parents who seek to improve academic skills for at risk children by offering an after school program focused on math and reading.

This is great news for BDPA St. Louis chapter. The chapter is also working hard to raise college scholarship funding for their HSCC students.

National Cristina Foundation

The National Cristina Foundation provides computer technology and solutions to give people with disabilities, students at risk and economically disadvantaged persons the opportunity, through training, to lead more independent and productive lives.

Every day, across America and around the world, National Cristina Foundation is working to ensure that used computer technology resources that no longer meet an enterprise's or an individual's needs are given a second productive life as a tool for developing human potential.

The Foundation encourages corporations and individuals to donate their surplus and used computers, software, peripherals and related business technology wherever this equipment is located. With the help of their online donation process, they can help a pre-screened partner network of charities, schools and public agencies get these important tools to support activities in thousands of training or educational settings.

Since the early 1980s, without charging a fee for its work or technology, the National Cristina Foundation has been a conduit of hope. With the help of corporations, individual donors, volunteers, and practitioners, we are participating in building, in coordination with their partners, community based solutions to make a significant difference for millions of people in need. The Cristina Global Partner Network is dedicated to this joint effort and to the strong conviction that human capital and technology resources are too valuable to waste.

The National Cristina Foundation and their grassroots partners are bound by the collective belief that technology reuse helps Link Life to its Promise. This is a remarkable opportunity for in-kind hardware donations in support of BDPA chapters around the nation.

Letter of Inquiry * Discovering Your Potential (BDPA St. Louis)

BDPA St. Louis chapter worked with a community organization, Discovering Your Potential, to seek a hardware donation of 20 laptop computers. The mission of Discovering Your Potential is to serve as a resource for educators and parents who seek to improve academic skills for at risk children by offering an after school program focused on math and reading within the middle schools. The primary goal is to provide the necessary skills to close the achievement gap for students who are not meeting the state standards.

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is working with BDPA St. Louis chapter on this computer hardware request. We should have an answer within the next few weeks.

Grant Approval: Microsoft ($17,910)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) works each year to obtain any software needed by BDPA for its programs and services. One of our partners in this effort is Microsoft.

We work through the folks at Tech Soup to request software donations from Microsoft. We were pleased to learn that Microsoft approved $17,910 in software donations.

Their approval letter read as follows:

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At Microsoft, we believe technology can do amazing things. That's why we partner with thousands of organizations like yours around the world to help each one achieve its mission. Through our Microsoft Unlimited Potential efforts, we provide technology tools, training, and resources that can help change people's lives and transform communities. Congratulations on being part of our global community!

Microsoft is pleased to support BDPA Education and Technology Foundation with a Microsoft software donation valued at $17,910.00. This letter includes a list of the products you requested and the estimated market value of your donation. Please print copies of this letter for your license and tax records.

In addition to this donation, we also offer other resources, tips, and tools to help you work more efficiently and effectively to achieve your mission. You can find these resources at http://www.microsoft.com/ngo. We have also created specific guidance on what to expect from a partnership with Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/nonprofittoolkit, including resources to help you communicate the benefits of our partnership and connect with other organizations.

If you want to learn more, have access to the latest news and resources, and continue to inform our work, please join our online community.

• http://www.facebook.com/microsoftcitizenship
• "Like" our page and engage in discussion
• Tag the Microsoft Citizenship page in relevant posts
• http://twitter.com/msftcitizenship
• Mention @msftcitizenship in tweets
• Stay up to date on the latest news and offers
• http://www.microsoftupblog.com/
• Read the latest stories about Microsoft Unlimited Potential
• Comment and let us know your thoughts

For more information about Microsoft, our citizenship efforts, and investments in communities around the world, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/citizenship .

Sincerely,
Akhtar Badshah, Senior Director
Microsoft Community Affairs

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Kudos to David Palmer, our BETF volunteer leader, for his efforts in bringing home this software donation. He was joined in this effort by volunteers in Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus and Los Angeles. The software donated to BETF included Office Professional, Office Pro Plus 2007, Office Pro Plus 2010, Windows XP Pro Upgrade and Windows 7/XP/Vista Business.

This is a great news message that gets us off to a strong start for the new year!

Grant Award: The Boeing Company (Laptop Donation, $3,000)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is pleased to announce the conclusion of a successful in-kind grant proposal to The Boeing Company. BETF partnered with BDPA Chicago chapter to request ten (10)laptops.

BDPA Chicago chapter discovered that several of their youth participants in the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program either do not have a computer at home or have only Mac's at home. This created an "unlevel playing field" for the young people.

We determined that The Boeing Company was not a good fit for a cash donation, however, we did think that they would be a good fit if we made a request for an in-kind donation.

Here is the message that I received when the approval was made:

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Dear Wayne,


It is my pleasure to inform you that your in-kind request for 10 used laptops has been approved by The Boeing Company. Please note that these laptops are 5-7 years old and have had all software completely removed (value $300 each).


Please work with Mark Schulze who is copied on this email to arrange for the laptops to be picked up from our office (100 N Riverside Plaza, Chicago). I understand that you are in Maryland, but that these laptops will be used by your Chicago location.


Thank you.
Christy Uchida, Community Investor
Global Corporate Citizenship
The Boeing Company
100 N. Riverside Plaza, MC 5002-8450
Chicago, IL 60606-1596

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BETF would like to express our appreciation to the folks at The Boeing Company for saying 'yes' to us.

However, we also want to point out that the energy behind this effort came from BDPA Chicago chapter member Audra Anderson. She is the person that BETF works with in Chicago chapter on all grant proposals. She is definitely a role model for the other 44 local BDPA chapters to emulate when it comes to working succesfully with BETF on fundraising efforts!

Tips on How to Donate Stock or Mutual Funds to Charity

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) would love to work with any BDPA member or supporter that wants to donate stock or mutual funds to support our SITES Endowment Fund or Jesse Bemley Scholarship Fund.

Soulclap to Craig Ford for telling us that IRS tax regulations allow you to donate stocks and mutual funds to non-profit organizations. Understanding a few tax implications regarding your contribution will help add value to your donation. However, many people think that donating the stock and selling the stock to give the money to a charity yields the exact same results. However, by donating the stocks with a capital gain, both the donor and the recipient will benefit more if the stocks are donated instead of selling them and donating the cash.

Read the rest of this Christian Science Monitor article here.

What say u? Would you like to be one of the first people to ever donate stock or mutual funds to BETF?

8 Ideas for Book Donations to Support African Nonprofits

One of our BETF supporters recently requested support in his effort to obtain book donations for an African nonprofit organization. BDPA Orlando chapter president Pablo More provided him with eight remarkable ideas. Our blog shares these tips with our readers for posterity:

1. Get in touch with your local member of Congress both U.S Representative and U.S. Senators. Make them aware of what you are working and ask for guidance and assistance.
2. Seek out the U.S. Ambassador where the nonprofit is located. The embassy may help with transporting of the books to that country at no cost to you. to the specific African country
3. Reach out to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that have partnerships with Alkebulan.
4. Visit your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Public Libraries to pick up books that are being disposed.
5. Visit your local state college or university libraries and speak with the librarian about when do they dispose of their books. College Libraries tend to keep a copy of text books in their shelves which they get rid of after new editions become available. There is only so much shelf space in a library. This tends to occur over the summer and winter recess.
6. Contact the major publishing companies below. Seek out the sales rep in your district explain your initiative and if your organization has a 501c3 non-profit status with a good track record and a good education program you "might" get a shipment of books at little to no cost.
7. Seek out other NGOs that operate in Alkebulan with offices in the United States.
8. Make sure your renew your BDPA membership and pre-register for the 2010 BDPA technolgy conference.

The major textbooks publishers are:

• Education Place
• Harcourt Brace and Jovanovich
• Harper Collins
• Houghton Mifflin
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Little Brown
• McGraw-Hills Primis Online
• McGraw-Hill Publishers
• Prentice-Hall
• Worth Publishers
• W.W. Norton

I hope that this information helps anyone seeking to donate books to African nonprofits. If you are looking for similiar programs in the United States ... you might check out the First Book program.

Letter of Inquiry: Computers for Learning (Bay Area)

BETF and BDPA Bay Area chapter combined on a request for in-kind donation of 11 computers, 1 server and 1 tape drive unit from the folks at Computers for Learning.

The CFL program exists to transfer computers and related peripheral equipment excess to their needs directly to schools and some educational nonprofit organizations. The CFL program specifically matches the computer needs of schools and educational nonprofit organization with excess equipment in Federal agencies.

The CFL program's ambitious goal is to make modern computer technology an integral part of every classroom so that every child has the opportunity to be educated to his or her full potential.

I encourage all BDPA chapters to take a close look at this program.

Short on Cash, Companies Give Time, Skills

With need surging and dollars available for donations limited by the down economy, corporations are increasingly turning to ways besides writing checks to serve their communities.

The trend, which has been growing in recent years, is accelerating this year, according to United Way of American spokesman Sally Fabens.

Fabens estimates corporate cash donations to the organization decreased about 3% in 2008, with financial and automotive companies "expectedly" contributing far less than usual.

But the charitable organizations it represents, she says, increasingly are receiving in-kind donations and pro-bono assistance.

Read the full article.

Grant Award: Computers for Learning

BETF and BDPA Richmond chapter partnered on a request for in-kind donation of computer hardware from the folks at the Computers for Learning (CFL). CFL is setting aside seven (7) computers (original cost: $34,816) for pick-up by BDPA Richmond chapter. The chapter plans to use them as part of their Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program.

Kudos to BDPA member Jackie Pryor for successfully working this in-kind donation. She refused to give up after being turned down by CFL with an earlier request.

The CFL program exists to transfer computers and related peripheral equipment excess to their needs directly to schools and some educational nonprofit organizations. The CFL program specifically matches the computer needs of schools and educational nonprofit organization with excess equipment in Federal agencies.

The CFL program's ambitious goal is to make modern computer technology an integral part of every classroom so that every child has the opportunity to be educated to his or her full potential.

I encourage all BDPA chapters to take a close look at this program. In the meantime, please join us in congratulating BDPA Richmond chapter!

Best Buy Product Donations

Is your chapter or nonprofit organization interested in technology product donations?

Each U.S. Best Buy store has a donation budget to support local nonprofit organizations. Product Donations come directly from your local Best Buy store, so your programs are supported by the people who live and work in your community.

• Donations are given to schools, libraries and after-school clubs
  
• Donations are made in the form of product or Best Buy Gift Cards
  
• Local store employees decide how to support their community

If your chapter is interested then we need three things:

1. Specific technology product(s) that you seek
   
2. Current year SITES budget, which includes the technology product(s)
   
3. Address for Best Buy store that is local to you/your chapter

Are you interested in pursuing this grant opportunity?