Free Geek – Computer/Technology Reuse, Education, Recycling & Sales

The latest updates from Free Geek

2016 Impact Report

Free Geek accomplished a lot in 2016! View our 2016 Impact Report for a full picture of our programatic successes and finances for the calendar year.

Intern at Free Geek

Take a deep dive into various areas at Free Geek — internships are a great way to build your job skills and resume while learning more about our work. Apply today!

Computers for Portland Students

Portland K-12 students can also earn a free computer through Free Geek for 24 hours of volunteerism in their community. Learn more and apply today!

Donate your used technology to Free Geek

We ensure that all of your data is secure and try to reuse as much as possible!
Drop it off Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm or schedule a pickup for a fee.

Data security

We know how important your personal information is and take the security of your data seriously. We ensure any data-containing gizmos we receive are either wiped clean using Department of Defense standards, or physically destroyed on-site. Learn more about our data destruction process.

More than computers

We take almost everything electronic with a very short list of items we cannot accept: major household appliances, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, vacuums, microwave ovens, smoke detectors, fluorescent light bulbs, alkaline batteries, copiers, and bottled liquids. We are also not able to reycle large amounts of plastic (like VCR tapes and floppy disks). Please contact us via email or at 503-232-9350 for more details.

Financial support essential

Your monetary contributions are an essential part of our efforts to grant refurbished computers and other technology to nonprofits, schools, and community change orgs. Did you know it takes about $70 to train volunteers to securely wipe, refurbish and process an average laptop? Your donations make the difference for so many individuals!

Donate!

Where does it go?

We try to reuse as much material as we can by giving it away through our Volunteer and Hardware Grants programs or selling it to support our job-training and education programs. Unlike some opportunistic recyclers, those items we can't reuse are handled with the highest ethical and environmental standards.

Free Geek proudly participates in Oregon E-Cycles, offering free and convenient recycling of computers, monitors, televisions and more for all Oregonian households.

Your triple bottom line

By choosing Free Geek to reuse and ethically recycle your corporate technology, you ensure maximal impact for your business. Donations of technology are tax deductible and our reuse, volunteer and education programs benefit your community. schedule a pickup today!

Would you like a free computer?

Volunteers, nonprofits, and community change organizations can get free technology from Free Geek!

Organizations

Our Hardware Grants Program connects qualifying non-profits, schools, religious, and community change organizations with needed and available refurbished computer equipment; this helps them focus their resources on mission-critical services. Since our inception in February 2000, we have granted out over 7,500 PCs, 1,900 laptops, and many other assorted items to these organizations.

See if your organization qualifies for our technology grants program

Individuals

Free Geek receives donated used computers from the public and businesses, that our volunteers then refurbish with care. These computers are given back out to our volunteers in exchange for 24 hours service (one free computer per year). Portland k-12 students can also earn a free computer through Plug-into-Portland.

Volunteer tasks can accommodate a wide range of abilities - we'll work with you to make sure you can spend the time necessary to earn your computer. No computer experience is required to participate in our program.

Get a free computer by volunteering

Tech Support

Free Geek supports granted PCs and laptop hardware/software up to one year for free, with limited restrictions. Volunteers must take the Getting Started class in order to receive free software tech support. Computers sold through our Thrift Store also benefit from a 6-month hardware and software warranty. Tech Support is currently open 12p-5:45pm Tuesday-Saturday.

About Free Geek Tech Support

Buy reused products and save

Support an amazing nonprofit, save money, and get great service!

Shop in person or online

Our Thrift Store caters to the novice and tinkerer alike. We sell everything from cables and cards to complete (warrantied) computer systems, cell phones, audio-visual equipment and much more, all at reasonable prices. Knowledgeable staff are happy to answer your questions and help you find the technology you need.

1731 SE 10th Avenue
Tuesday - Saturday 10am – 6pm

Buy Free Geek t-shirts, stickers and more

We also sell online

Visit our stores on these trusted sites for quality electronics, ink, logo gear, and other items:

Make smarter decisions

Buying reused and recyced materials is economical, better for the environment and helps support our education and computer access mission. This year, for example, we've been able to give away almost 6 laptops for every 10 purchased!

As with any thrift store, available products constantly change. It's best to come in to see what we have, or you can give us a call at 503-232-9350 x105. But again, it's best just to visit us so we can give you great service!

Volunteering at Free Geek is rewarding

Learn to build your own computer, benefit the environment, gain job skills, or just come to have fun!

Start with a 30-minute orientation tour

All new volunteers are required take a 30 minute orientation and safety tour at either 11am or 4pm Tuesday-Saturday and agree to adhere to our policies and procedures. No prior signup required. Just arrive about 10 minutes early to fill out a little paperwork.

Free Geek Code of Conduct

Everyone must be treated with respect in order for Free Geek to be a safe and comfortable environment for all volunteers and staff. If you see anyone engaging in any of the below activities on Free Geek premises, please let a staff member know immediately so we can follow up appropriately. If you are not sure of the best way to find a staff member, please ask at the front desk. The following are not acceptable behaviors at Free Geek:

Acts or threats of violence, including intimidation, harassment, and/or coercion.
Sexual harassment.
Theft.
Attitudes, judgments, jokes and language that are discriminatory or demeaning on the basis of race, class, gender, sex, age, spoken language, nationality, culture, physical appearance, sexual orientation, or ability/disability.

Get a computer in 24 hours

Free Geek receives donated used computers from the public and businesses, that our volunteers then refurbish with care. These computers are given back out to our volunteers in exchange for 24 hours service (one free computer per year). Portland k-12 students can also earn a free computer through Plug-into-Portland.

Volunteer tasks can accommodate a wide range of abilities - we'll work with you to make sure you can spend the time necessary to earn your computer. No computer experience is required to participate in our program.

Get a free computer by volunteering.

Volunteer internships

Free Geek offers a variety of unpaid internships to those who have the time, interest and motivation to work outside of our main volunteer programs. We try hard to ensure your internship will provide you with learning and skills you can apply to paying jobs. Interns volunteer on a set schedule, learn valuable skills and play a vital role in the health of Free Geek as an organization.

These are competitive, challenging and highly valued positions. While we cannot pay our volunteer interns, we offer job skills training, letters of reference, and professional feedback. Find out if there's an internship that's right for you.

Group volunteering

We provide an excellent experience for up to 16 coworkers, students, or group members to learn about technology, give back to their community and help protect the environment. Free Geek offers group tours, volunteer experiences, and community education classes. Please submit the Group Interest Form to schedule your group today!

We appreciate when you come prepared with a Volunteer Application filled out for each person who will be volunteering. All volunteers under 16 must have a parent or legal guardian sign their form.

To request a weekly or monthly volunteer event for school year 2017-18, submit an application here.

Take a free class

We offer classes on a wide range of topics. Try one today!

Free Geek offers a wide range of classes free to our volunteers and the general public, unless otherwise specified. Classes range from basic introductions to computers, to starting your first website and learning how to program. Check out our class schedule.

Interested in teaching? Apply online today.

To sign up for a class, please visit the volunteer desk at Free Geek or call us at 503-232-9350.

Click class titles for more details

Let's connect

Visit, call, email or interact with us via social media!

Connect online

Comments or questions? Email us at info@freegeek.org
Our donors, volunteers and customers are important to us. We strive to respond to all submissions within 3 business days, and often will get back to you sooner!

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Subscribe to TW@FG

Sign up for This Week @ Free Geek and get short weekly updates in your inbox, including special events, sales, and more. Your privacy is important to us; we never sell or share your personal information with anyone else.

Find us in Portland

Donate/volunteer/shop:
Tue-Sat 10am to 6pm
Tech Support: Tue-Sat 12pm-5:45pm

1731 SE 10th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 232-9350

info (at) freegeek (dot) org