Computers


Thousands 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 and national stakeholders to develop a
Computer Donation and Distribution Network
to connect individual and corporate donors
with regional nonprofit organizations who can
refurbish and distribute technology
​to community members in need of a device.

​YOU CAN HELP!
In the news: https://www.kob.com/news/top-news/state-seeks-donations-for-computer-donation-campaign/
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.
New Mexico's Computer Donation and Distribution Network 
New Mexico is 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:
  • 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

Kick-off 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 ~ Ruidoso - October 9, 2024
​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.
Training Videos
Event Photos
Event Press
Access Computers
Access Computers

New Mexico is building a Computer Donation and Distribution Network to connect community members with computer support resources, organizations, and distribution events.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can community organizations receive donated equipment?
Organizations with proof of tax exempt status, as well as public schools and public agencies, can apply to receive donated technology .The application process begins at https://digitunity.org/get-involved/receive-equipment/.
Local Highlight: DiverseIT
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, too. https://goadelante.org/diverseit
Donate Computers
Donate Computers
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.
FAQ
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.
Local Refurbisher in the Spotlight
DiverseIT 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.
To report waste, fraud, & abuse or learn about the Whistleblower Protection Act, please click here.
Interested in learning more and getting involved?
Join the Mailing List to stay informed.
(c) 2022 NM OBAE​