Some of these systems will go to not-for-profits.

In order to support the geeky needs of our community, Free Geek loves to grant computers to organizations through our Hardware Grants program. Read on for more information!

Who’s eligible

Individuals are not eligible for grants. Also, organizations cannot request equipment to “pass through” to individuals or families. Individuals and families can volunteer to get a computer.

In order to receive a hardware grant from Free Geek, your organization must:

  • Be a verifiable non-profit organization
  • Be able to pick up hardware from our Portland location.

What’s available

Equipment we can probably give qualifying organizations without hassle:

  • PC Systems loaded with Ubuntu Linux
  • Keyboards
  • Mice
  • Short to medium length networking cable

Free Geek does not give out software. If you need an operating system other than Ubuntu Linux, your organization is responsible for installing and supporting that operating system. However, if you receive PCs from Free Geek and keep Ubuntu Linux on your PCs, we can provide you with 1 year of tech support. Ask your grant shepherd for more details.

What’s hard to get

If you can demonstrate that your organization needs the following items:

  • Laptops
  • LCD monitors

You can apply for a maximum of 3 of each. If you need more, after 90 days, you may re-apply. It is necessary to detail why you need laptops as opposed to PCs and why you need LCD monitors as opposed to CRT monitors. Please be as specific as possible.

The following items we do not have limits for, but currently do not have a surplus of, are the following:

  • Network devices
  • Mac systems

Application

Please follow these steps to apply for a hardware grant:

  1. Determine your organization’s specific hardware need in order to articulate this through the application.
  2. Fill out the hardware grants application thoroughly.
  3. A grant shepherd will contact you within two weeks. Please note: We may only be able to partially fill a grant. For instance, if ten computers are requested, we may only be able to grant six.
  4. Show up to pick up your hardware only at the time you agreed to with your grant shepherd.

Now that you know how our Hardware Grants Program works, continue on to the hardware grant application.