Digital Opportunity: ComputersThousands of New Mexicans
face barriers to opportunity because they don’t have a computer. The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) is working with local non-profit DiverseIT and regional partners to pilot a Computer Distribution program to distribute technology to community members in need of a device and provide the digital skills support needed to begin using technology meaningfully and safely. |
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DiverseIT is a local New-Mexico based nonprofit program that is helping people get started in tech. DiverseIT provides computers to people with disabilities and local nonprofits, as well as receives computers as donations, scrubs the hard-drives, completes repairs as needed, and gives them away for free to people with disabilities and to local nonprofits for distribution to community members in need of technology.
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Federal Legislation
Recent Federal Legislation Promotes Device Donations and Refurbishment!
The Computers for Veterans and Students Act is a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger and signed into law in December 2022 to provide federal surplus and repairable computers to non-profit computer refurbishers to repair and distribute to veterans, students, and others in need of a device. Additionally, the new law requires each nonprofit computer refurbisher receiving computers to provide training programs in the use of this technology. Learn More.
The Computers for Veterans and Students Act is a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger and signed into law in December 2022 to provide federal surplus and repairable computers to non-profit computer refurbishers to repair and distribute to veterans, students, and others in need of a device. Additionally, the new law requires each nonprofit computer refurbisher receiving computers to provide training programs in the use of this technology. Learn More.
New Mexico's Computer Donation and Distribution Network
New Mexico is building a Computer Donation and Distribution Network to connect community members with computer support resources, organizations, and distribution events.
Building a Computer Donation and Distribution Network
Stakeholders are collaborating to increase the number of New Mexicans with an effective computers by increasing the supply of no cost and low-cost computers in our communities. The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) is collaborating with Digitunity, local refurbisher DiverseIT, and a wide range of agencies and community organizations to:
Stakeholders are collaborating to increase the number of New Mexicans with an effective computers by increasing the supply of no cost and low-cost computers in our communities. The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) is collaborating with Digitunity, local refurbisher DiverseIT, and a wide range of agencies and community organizations to:
- Engage local business and government
- Expand individual and corporate computer donations
- Empower and promote local refurbishers and distribution organizations
- Establish effective pathways for community members and organizations to obtain computers and related support
Meet Collaborating Champions in New Mexico's
Growing Computer Donation and Distribution Network
Growing Computer Donation and Distribution Network
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Initial Events
Friday, September 20 ~ Mescalero
Cabinet in Your Community Service Expo and Town Hall
Location: Inn of the Mountain Gods Event Center
287 Carrizo Canyon Rd. Mescalero NM 88340
Time: Service Expo: 3pm-7pm
Town Hall: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Meet with Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) and Digitunity team members to learn more about broadband, as well as opportunities to donate and access devices.
Saturday, September 21 ~ Ruidoso
Cabinet in Your Community Service Expo and Town Hall
Location CHANGE: Ruidoso High School 125 Warrior Drive Ruidoso, NM 88345
Time: Service Expo - Sat 11am-4pm
Town Hall - 1pm-4pm
Meet with Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) team members to learn more about broadband, as well as opportunities to donate and access devices.
October 9, 2024 ~ Ruidoso
OBAE Digital Equity Emergency Response Computer Distribution Event with DiverseIT
Dell Computers donated by the Workers Compensation Administration and refurbished by DiverseIT, an Albuquerque-based refurbishing program stewarded by the nonprofit Adelante, will be distributed to local pre-registered recipients with assistance from the Methodist Community Church and local stakeholders supporting fire and flood recovery in the region.
Donate Tech: https://newmexico.donatetech.com
OBAE Digital Equity Emergency Response Computer Distribution Event with DiverseIT
Dell Computers donated by the Workers Compensation Administration and refurbished by DiverseIT, an Albuquerque-based refurbishing program stewarded by the nonprofit Adelante, will be distributed to local pre-registered recipients with assistance from the Methodist Community Church and local stakeholders supporting fire and flood recovery in the region.
Donate Tech: https://newmexico.donatetech.com
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Training Videos
Event Photos
Event Press
Oct 9: abq-nonprofit-distributes-computers-to-fire-victims/article
Oct 9: new-mexico-groups-donate-40-computers-to-ruidoso-wildfire-and-flood-victims-salt-fire-fork-adelante-diverse-it-nonprofit-albuquerque Oct 10: salt-south-fork-fire-victims-receive-donated-computers Oct 10: salt-south-fork-fire-victims IN THE NEWS
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Spring 2025 - Mescalero
OBAE Digital Equity Emergency Response Computer Distribution Event
Computers distributed to local recipients with assistance from the Mescalero Community Library.
Donate Tech: https://newmexico.donatetech.com
OBAE Digital Equity Emergency Response Computer Distribution Event
Computers distributed to local recipients with assistance from the Mescalero Community Library.
Donate Tech: https://newmexico.donatetech.com
Donate Computers
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The New Mexico Computer Donation and Distribution Network supports easy and cost-effective ways for individuals and companies to donate used technology equipment to nonprofit organizations that can refurbish and distribute technology to community members in need of a computer. The New Mexico Computer Donation and Distribution Network also encourages agencies and businesses to consider tech sponsorships and bulk donations of used technology, especially in the wake of federal legislation passed in 2022.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
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General Donations
What technology can be donated? Laptop and desktop computers, Chromebooks™, tablets, and webcams. Also: pc desktop and laptop systems, mac desktop and laptop systems, copiers, digital and web cameras, pen/drawing tablets, hard disk drives, keyboards, monitors, switches/routers, mice, network interface cards, tablets, printers, and sound/video cards. What are the minimum requirements for donated equipment? Needs vary. Generally computers less than eight years old are accepted. Hardware needing repair is considered on a case-by-case basis dependent upon available technical support. For detailed minimum device specifications, please visit digitunity-minimum-device-specs-survey-results.pdfDigitunity's Minimum Device Specifications. What if my equipment does not meet the minimum requirements for donated devices? It is important to make sure you are recycling technology correctly and safely. Learn more about responsible recycling from the EPA. Individual Donations
Are there tax benefits for technology donations by individuals? Technology donation may be tax deductible for the year in which the recipient organization(s) acquires the equipment if the organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation or qualifying entity. It is the responsibility of the donor to determine the fair market value of their donation, and donors are encouraged to consult a tax advisor for additional information. Corporate Donations
What if my corporation wants to donate technology? Business donors will be matched with a qualified nonprofit refurbishers who will manage the logistics of a business technology donation.
What are the tax benefits to corporate donors? Companies may receive a tax deduction in the year donated for property donated to a charitable organization in accord with applicable IRS rules and regulations. An acknowledgement letter is provided upon the completion of the donation process. It is the duty of the donor to establish the fair market value of the device contributions. Warehousing and shipping costs may also be tax deductible under applicable rules and regulations. Consult your tax advisor for more information. |
