We collect donated laptops from the community, refurbish them, then distribute them via our network of nonprofit direct service providers (social workers, caseworkers, educators, or healthcare workers) to low-income households without computers. 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 700 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 can improve their social and civic engagement –which is crucial to their health!
Our Refurbished Laptop Program does not distribute laptops to the general public; they are distributed through direct service providers at existing partner nonprofits. Please do not call DANEnet looking for a laptop. We only work with direct service providers at partner agencies in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Below we provide information about affordable home internet options that range $10-$30/mo for service for families participating in SNAP and other programs. Please refer to the list and links below to download a flyer or to get more information. We are unable to provide funding for internet services; this is only an informational service.
Click here for information about Lifeline
Click here for a Spectrum Internet Assist flyer
Click here for an ATT Access flyer
Click here to access the PSC Internet Discount Finder
PSC Internet helpline for Wisconsin residents: (608) 267-3595
When funding allows, we offer free basic computer skills classes and computer help clinics at Dane County libraries and community centers for adults on the other side of the digital divide.
Click here to see our list of scheduled classes or clinics that are open to the public. If none are listed, we do not yet have the funds to offer them. Please consider making a donation.
We’ve compiled a list of online resources for learning basic computer skills via tutorials, videos, quizzes and games for those who wish to learn at their own pace, or explore new computer skills. Click here to download the pdf of online resources.
If you’re looking for quick guides for basic skills click on the topic below to open that topic:
Computer Basics
Zoom Basics
Word Processing
Smartphone Basics
New Computer Basics
Laptop Care
Internet Basics
Files, Folders, and the Cloud
Email Basics
Cybersecurity Basics
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 professional IT support volunteers. All other collected technology is wiped then reused or resold in support of our Digital Equity Project. Our goal is connecting adults on the other side of the digital divide with better jobs, educational success, remote healthcare, and other resources that can help them thrive.
WE CAN USE:
Working laptops running Windows 10 or 11, with power cords and needing no repair
(min. 8 GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive)
Working, unpaired Apple MacBooks or iPads from 2015 or later, with power cords and needing no repair
Working and unlocked/unpaired tablets, smartwatches, or smartphones from the last 5 years
Anything from our Amazon Wish List
++ CLICK HERE for full donation guidelines ++
WE CANNOT TAKE:
Anything broken, needing repair, or missing its hard drive
Desktop computers
Laptops running Linux
Chromebooks
printers, scanners, or fax machines
Have questions about something you want to donate?
Email info@danenet.org and include make, model, size, description, etc.
CORPORATE TECH RECYCLING
Does your company want to support our work by donating its old tech? DANEnet partners with Sage Sustainable Electronics for large-scale tech donations from businesses throughout the midwest. Click here to learn more about how your retiring tech can make a difference.
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:
DANEnet 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 and helps us maintain necessary compliance with federal donation laws.
Questions? Email info@danenet.org or call Bob Allbright.
Donate Money
Your donation helps us with our goal of connecting elders, veterans, people with disabilities, and adults from low-income households with laptops and basic computer skills so they can access better jobs, educational success, remote healthcare, and other resources that can help them thrive.
WHAT CAN YOUR DOLLAR DO?
$15,000 pays for a full year of free basic computer skills classes at a local community center or library --helping hundreds of local adults and elders to gain access to crucial online resources, develop important digital skills, and stay safe online.
$4,000 buys 200 laptop cases for the free laptops we distribute to adults from low-income households (via caseworker or social worker referral).
$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 Basic Computer Skills handouts for one year, which go to laptop recipients and visitors to our Computer Help Clinics.
$300 allows us to offer one free Computer Basics class 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.