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Computers with Causes

Donate your 3D printer

A 3D printer can open up design and engineering for a classroom or makerspace. Tell us the model and condition, and ship once it's approved.

A desktop 3D printer on a workbench

Which 3D printers we consider

We review every donation case by case. Tell us what you have on the form, add a photo or two, and our team will let you know.

FDM printers Resin printers Enclosed printers Prusa, Bambu, Creality and more Filament Case by case

Resin

Please don't ship liquid resin.

Cloud accounts

Unbind the printer first.

Size

Tell us the dimensions on the form.

Spare parts?

Spare parts help repair other computers.Donate computer parts.

3D printer brands we see often

Creality, Prusa, Bambu Lab, Ultimaker, Elegoo, Anycubic, FlashForge, Formlabs, MakerBot, Raise3D, Sovol, QIDI, Monoprice, Snapmaker and LulzBot, and many more.

Not on the list? It is here to help you find your printer, not to limit what we consider. We review every make and model, listed or not, including small builders and brands that are no longer around. What matters is condition, never the name on the frame, so enter yours on the form even if you don't see it here.

What to know about donating a 3D printer

Where 3D printers end up

A 3D printer opens up design and engineering for a classroom or makerspace. Students go from an idea to a part they can hold.

Desktop FDM and resin printers from Creality, Prusa, Bambu Lab, Ultimaker and others are reviewed.

What we look at during review

Tell us the model, whether it prints reliably, and what upgrades or spare parts are included. Unused filament is welcome.

For resin printers, tell us whether the vat is clean and empty.

Before shipping

Remove filament and clean the bed. For resin printers, empty and clean the vat and pack resin separately, or not at all, depending on our instructions.

Value and your tax receipt

If you itemize, you may be able to deduct the fair market value of your 3D printer, which is what the same model in similar condition sells for used today. You determine the value; we can't appraise it. Giving Center sends a written acknowledgment describing what you donated.

Starting with the 2026 tax year, itemizers can deduct only giving above 0.5% of adjusted gross income, and items you deduct at more than $500 need Form 8283. Our tax guide covers the details. Ask your tax preparer what applies to you.

Condition: what we can use

Condition
What to put on the form
What usually happens
Works well
Model, age and a few photos
Usually refurbished and placed with a new owner
Works with problems
What's wrong, plus a photo of any damage
Often repaired, or used for parts to fix another device
Doesn't power on
What happened and what you've tried
Reviewed case by case; may be used for parts or responsibly recycled

Every donation is reviewed case by case. We can't promise acceptance before review.

Before you ship: unbind, clean, secure

Printers can store account and network details. Unbinding and securing moving parts protects you and the printer.

  1. 1

    Unbind your account

    Remove the printer from your cloud account and forget Wi-Fi.

  2. 2

    Clean it

    Remove filament, and fully clean resin printers. Don't ship liquid resin.

  3. 3

    Secure moving parts

    Lock or tape the print head and bed so they can't slide.

  4. 4

    Pack accessories

    Bag tools, nozzles and the power cable.

Done? Check before you box it

  • Unbound from your account
  • Filament or resin removed
  • Moving parts secured
  • Accessories bagged

Packing and shipping your 3D printer

Please send the form first and wait for our reply. We'll send the shipping address and instructions once we've reviewed it. We can only take items we've approved, so please don't ship anything before you hear from us.

Wait for our OK. We send the address and instructions after we review your form.

Pack it well. Use the original box if you can. Otherwise pad thickly around the frame.

Label what's inside with a note listing each item, so we can match it to your form.

Ship with tracking. Donors ship at their own cost. Shipping is sometimes reimbursed; ask when we review your donation.

Packing and shipping checklist
Students watching a donated 3D printer in a classroom

Where your 3D printer goes

Donated 3D printers go to schools, libraries and makerspaces teaching design and engineering.

Where your computer goes

A note on taxes

If you itemize, you may be able to deduct the fair market value of your 3D printer: what a willing buyer would pay for it as it is today. You decide the value, and your tax preparer can tell you what applies to you. We don't appraise items and can't promise a deduction.

This is general information, not tax advice. Read the tax guide

3D printer donation questions

Yes, case by case, once fully cleaned. Don't ship liquid resin.

Tell us about your 3D printer

Fill out the form and our team will review it. Every donation is considered case by case.

Please don't ship anything yet. We review every form and send the shipping address to donors we can accept.
Bulk donations: we arrange pickup in every state.
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CWC Donation: General
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