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If you’re looking for ways to help others, then consider donating your tech devices. Many charitable organizations accept donations of electronics to help others and raise money for their cause. That old flip phone you have in the back of a drawer may make a big difference in someone’s life. Recycle your tech to do good in the world.
You also can collect used tech to raise money for the charitable organization of your choice. Find out how to hold donation events to turn used tech into charitable contributions for your organization.
[important]Make sure to erase all of the data off of your device before you donate it. [/important]
Also see, How to Get the Most for Your Used Tech
Domestic Violence Organizations
Many domestic violence organizations accept donations of electronics.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The NCAV (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence) accepts:
• Any cell phone in any condition and their accessories (most wanted: Iphones and Blackberries, but they’d will take what you have)
• Laptops
• Mp3 Players
• Digital Cameras
• Video Game Systems
The organization resells and recycles donated electronics to:
• Fund programming that empowers victims of domestic violence, connects victims and survivors to helpful resources, and helps them remain free from abuse
• Support legislation aimed at ending domestic violence
• Give support and resources to organizations across the US working to stop violence in the home
NCAV will pay for shipping if you have three or more items to donate. The organization will help you hold a device donation drive and provide a form to help deduct the value of your donation from your income taxes.
Shelter Alliance
Shelter Alliance has been accepting donations of cell phones since 2001 and claims to have the largest cell phone recycling program in North America. Shelter Alliance accepts donations of cell phones, iPads and iPods.
Shelter Alliance has three different donation programs:
- You can hold a device donation drive for your charitable organization
- You can donate your devices to help raise funds for victims of domestic violence
- Students can get community service hours to students who collect cell phones to donate to the organization (three phones equals one hour)
Verizon Wireless/HopeLine
Verizon Wireless runs a program called HopeLine where you can donate your used cell phone at Verizon stores to support victims of domestic violence.
From the HopeLine website: “HopeLine phones are refurbished phones that are equipped with 3,000 anytime minutes of airtime and texting capabilities. They come with Verizon Wireless Nationwide Coverage, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, 3-Way Calling, Caller ID, Basic Voice Mail and texting. HopeLine phones are available to survivors affiliated with participating domestic violence agencies.”
HopeLine also has an app to help people dealing with domestic violence issues. The HopeLine app has resources to learn more about domestic violence resources, assistance with donating to HopeLine and a call button to connect you directly to the National Network to End Domestic Violence for crisis intervention, information and referrals.
HopeLine app for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch
Secure the Call
Secure the Call accepts donated cell phones and provides free 911-only cell phones to senior citizens, domestic violence shelters and police departments around the US.
Other Charitable Organizations
American Cell Phone Drive
American Cell Phone Drive accepts donations of used cell phones to “fund charitable organizations which provide scholarships for American children who have lost a parent to enemy or terrorist acts, feed malnourished children in Asia, build low-income housing, donate prepaid calling cards to military personnel, sponsor missionaries in China and support a host of other good works.” Enter your zip code on their website to find a location box near you.
Raising Money for Your Charitable Organization
Phones 4 Charity and Gazelle will help you hold electronics recycling events with the funds from donated electronics going to your favorite charity.
Helping Military Personnel
You can recycle your tech to help US military personnel.
Cell Phones for Soldiers
Cell Phones for Soldiers donates one hour of free talk time for a US soldier to call home for each cell phone donated.
Your Thoughts
If you are aware of other charitable organizations who accept donations of used tech, please provide that information in the Comments section below. If comments are closed, please email me the information at [email protected] so I can include the organization in this article.
Have you ever donated your used tech to a charitable organization? Have you ever held a tech donation event to raise funds? Do you like the idea of recycling tech to do good? Let us know in the Comments section below!
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* Tech drawing by Hiking Artist
Hi Carolyn,
Awesome list about where we can donate our used tech things 🙂
Yes, you did mention that you’d be sharing more about where all we can donate if we wish to, though I never really knew there were SO many places that we could really do it in. As I’d mentioned in yesterday’s post, and as my Mom always taught us, charity always begins first, at home, and that’s my only major way of donating things to the needy in and around our house.
We see many poor families or even orphans and other such places in our local areas, which is where we love donating most because they are right here, so why go far. But I can understand such might not be the case all over, so thank you for sharing such an wonderful resource, which would surely help those who want to donate their tech to some instituitons or other such organizations.
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Hi Harleena, Yes, this article was originally part of yesterday’s article, but I didn’t want it to get buried there. So many organizations can benefit from tech we’re not using any more. We can clean out our drawers and do good in the world!
Your mother was a wise woman, Harleena. If you know someone in need of a tech item, you can give to them generously which helps them and the planet when we recycle tech. But if people don’t know anyone who could use their tech, these organizations are a good place to start.
I also hope to get other suggestions in these comments of organizations who could put tech devices to good use!
Well, I’m a charitable kind of guy so this is good info, but I need to sell mine to apply toward the purchase of the 5s which I have decided to buy. I think I will use Gazelle unless maybe you know something better……
Hope all is well, we have had 2 days worth of rain but I did get to see the Rays last home game yesterday as they play indoors. Walk off homer to win; very exciting…:).
Hi Bill, I completely understand. Check out yesterday’s article, How to Get the Most for Your Used Tech to find out where you can get the best deal on trading in or selling your iPhone.
But if you have any flip phones gathering dust in your drawers, you could consider donating those.
The Today Show had coverage of the rain in your area. Looks like a stalled front that should head on out soon I hope!
Go Rays! :-bd
Hi Carolyn,
I think this is a lovely idea – I haven’t done it myself, but it’s certainly something I’d consider. As with disposing of tech in any other way, my only concern would be ensuring all data was completely deleted first.
Many thanks for this suggestion 🙂
Hi Susan, Yes, some organizations offer to erase the data for you but it’s best to do that yourself before you donate your device.
If you have tech you’re no longer using, perhaps someone else could benefit from it.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Sue!
Hi Carolyn !
Its really a great idea of yours to come with a post that will help the needy citizens . We too have similar services in India .Though I’ve never used any of such service before,5-6 years ago we had donated a tape-recorder , VCD player and a brand new video game to the watchman of our society . When we gave him those electronic items , he has extremely happy .His kids still enjoy the video game . Anyways, Thanks for sharing the information .
-Pramod
Hi Pramod, How lovely that you were able to pass along your used electronics to someone who could use them. That’s an excellent way to recycle!
What a great follow up to your other post Carolyn so thank you for pointing me here per our earlier discussion.
The first one, NCAV, definitely caught my eye. I know they’re rather have more up to date phones but ours work beautifully and are in excellent shape. Instead of recycling them I’d rather go to someone who can actually use them.
Okay, they all actually look like wonderful organizations and I’ll check them out to see if there is something in our area.
Great share here Carolyn, very timely indeed. Thank you so much for writing about these.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, Yes, so many people move from flip phones to smartphones and then don’t know what to do with their flip phones. Many people can make excellent use of the tech we don’t want any more. I hope you find an organization that you would like to donate your tech to, Adrienne. 🙂
You are doing great job.Help those people who need it and can’t afford too much….. A good follow up post might be how to donate. My place of employment accepts donations. Most of the items are great and we deeply appreciate them but some are not. Always make sure you are donating what the organization needs and that it is in good condition. Donating things just to get rid of them or to get the tax deduction or simply not listening in order to make sure your items are really helpful becomes a burden to the organization. For instance, I always make sure the clothes I give to Goodwill are clean. You want to help, not hinder!
Hi Sam, Thanks for your kind words. You’re right, it’s important not to donate junk or broken items. That just wastes the time of people who work at donation centers. If the tech isn’t in good working order then find a place to recycle it.