Looking for technical donations

[gear02]

My friend is an Americorps volunteer in Rhode Island and she was wondering if they could find someone to donate a laser printer to cut down on their printing costs. I have no idea where to turn to find this information. Does anyone have experience in doing something like this?

Thanks in advance!

[nickel]

I would send a letter to all the manufacturers of laser printers and ask.

[brainsmile]

most companies have allocated a set amount of budget to "charitable contributions" for tax bennies. I'd say you have a good shot if you email them and write a good story

[welfareloser]

i have a printer right now i was going to ebay... i'd donate it, if it's what they need (which it probably isn't.) if they need some big industrial-strength fast printer, yeah, i'd contact a manufacturer... but if they need a lexmark z22 color jetprinter, just give me an address to ship it to... :P

[Jeffbx]

Have her contact universities & business in the area & see if they donate retired equipment. Most will....

[welfareloser]

actually, most universities won't... since the stuff was bought with grant money, they can't just get rid of it even when it's obsolete. they have to sell it. so what happens is, there are huge warehosues full of obsolete electronics that nobody wants, but they can't throw it way or give it away...

[gear02]

i have a printer right now i was going to ebay... i'd donate it, if it's what they need (which it probably isn't.) if they need some big industrial-strength fast printer, yeah, i'd contact a manufacturer... but if they need a lexmark z22 color jetprinter, just give me an address to ship it to... :P

I appreciate the thought, but I think the reason they're looking for a laser printer is that their inkjet eats ink. But thanks anyway :)

[Kevster]

I was going to say, I have a Laserjet 4+ that is just sitting in my garage right now because everytime I fire it up it dims the lights in my office. It's a heavy beast and I don't think Americorps would want to pay for shipping from So. Cal, right?

[gear02]

I was going to say, I have a Laserjet 4+ that is just sitting in my garage right now because everytime I fire it up it dims the lights in my office. It's a heavy beast and I don't think Americorps would want to pay for shipping from So. Cal, right?

I think you're right, unfortunately. But the thought is appreciated.

I'm betting they can get a laser printer for like $100 or so right?

[Kevster]

I think you're right, unfortunately. But the thought is appreciated.

I'm betting they can get a laser printer for like $100 or so right?

On Ebay, yes they can. Laserjets of all models are on there all the time. I personally use a laserjet 4L myself - a very nice personal laser printer.

[blueindian]

I think you're right, unfortunately. But the thought is appreciated.

I'm betting they can get a laser printer for like $100 or so right?

their's always deals for $60-$100 laser printers.

I've done some "donation rasing" for a local charity that I work with and we've been most successful when we've written letters to the GM of the store and followed up in person. Some companies, such as HomeDepot, have rather convoluted procedures you have to follow. Others, such as Target, require only a letter.

[Booyamos]

actually, most universities won't... since the stuff was bought with grant money, they can't just get rid of it even when it's obsolete. they have to sell it. so what happens is, there are huge warehosues full of obsolete electronics that nobody wants, but they can't throw it way or give it away...

Hmm strange. I used to work for the Boston University School of Law and we couldn't sell any of our old computer equipment because were a non-profit. So we usually gave all the old equipment to faculty/staff and charitable organizations. We have a whole room full of old computers/monitors/printers etc just sitting there.

I don't work there no more though.

[gear02]

Thanks for your responses! My friend thanks you all (she read this thread)

[guiseppewv]

My friend is an Americorps volunteer in Rhode Island and she was wondering if they could find someone to donate a laser printer to cut down on their printing costs. I have no idea where to turn to find this information. Does anyone have experience in doing something like this?

Thanks in advance!

Have them contact someone at IBM, GD, Northrop, Microsoft, Cisco, Lockheed, Lucent, etc... and ask them. If the company has a local office I am sure they have an old printer sitting around that they would donate. You might even get them to raise money at their company to buy you a new or they would donate the money to buy a new one. Most large companies are big into charities.


actually, most universities won't... since the stuff was bought with grant money, they can't just get rid of it even when it's obsolete. they have to sell it. so what happens is, there are huge warehosues full of obsolete electronics that nobody wants, but they can't throw it way or give it away...


WL is right, any land grant/state colleges (i.e. public not private) cannot give things away. They usually auction off their surpluses.

[blueindian]

at the University of NC (public school) they give away old computers. :shrug: