GlobalFoundries

1,000 Decommissioned Laptops Find Second Useful Life Helping Charities and Schools

GlobalFoundries had a problem to solve. How could 1,000 decommissioned laptops be used to advance science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education? National Cristina Foundation helped provide the answer.

A leading semiconductor manufacturer, GlobalFoundries sought to donate its large supply of used laptops to nonprofits and schools to support students in STEM, and to increase educational opportunities for women and people with disabilities. Dr. Patrick Varekamp, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff at GlobalFoundries, discovered that the Foundation could serve as a conduit to over 1,300 nonprofit organizations that each utilized used computers in their training programs. Many of the Foundation’s partners had missions that aligned with his company’s charitable goals.

Of particular interest was the Foundation’s community of nearly 100 nonprofit computer refurbishers that make up the Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse (AFTRR). These organizations are located throughout the United States and share a common mission of closing the digital divide through technology reuse. In addition to refurbishing computer equipment and supporting the technology needs of their communities, many AFTRR member organizations offer full IT asset disposition services and are equipped to handle the largest of corporate technology donations. AFTRR members adhere to the highest data security and environmental sustainability standards.

National Cristina Foundation’s concierge-style approach to enterprise technology donations ensures that corporate donors are matched with best-fit recipient organizations. To facilitate the donation, Varekamp was introduced to Information Technology Exchange (ITE) of Waterville, Maine. A member of the AFTRR community, ITE was the ideal match to receive, refurbish, and distribute the laptops from GlobalFoundries. The Foundation provided administrative support to assure the successful outcome of the donation process.

As a result of the generous gift from GlobalFoundries and the impressive work by the team at ITE, these 1,000 refurbished laptops are being distributed to libraries, nonprofits, and schools across Maine and northern New England, as well as a New York nonprofit organization identified by the donor.

Organizations seeking technology donations can learn more by visiting National Cristina Foundation’s “Receive Equipment” page. Donors wishing to make a tangible impact in the lives of individuals in need can learn more by visiting the Foundation’s “Donate Equipment” page. To learn more about the Foundation’s growing community of nonprofit refurbishers, please visit AFTRR.org

National Cristina Foundation is a nonprofit private operating foundation with a mission to close the digital divide so that people in need can participate fully in a digitally connected world.