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Computers with Causes
Computers with Causes
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Donate your network equipment

Switches, routers, firewalls and access points help schools and nonprofits get connected. Reset them, send us a list, and ship once they're approved.

A Cisco network switch and a UniFi wireless access point on a workbench beside a shipping box

What network equipment 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.

Switches Routers Firewalls Wireless access points Cisco, Ubiquiti, Juniper and more Working or not

Send a list

Model and quantity is enough to start.

Factory reset

Clear your configuration first.

Power supplies

Include them if you have them.

Servers too?

Servers have their own page.Donate a server.

Network brands we see often

Cisco, Meraki, Juniper, Aruba, HPE, Ubiquiti, Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks, SonicWall, Arista, Extreme Networks, Ruckus, MikroTik, Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, eero and ASUS, and many more.

Not on the list? It is here to help you find your device, 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 front, so enter yours on the form even if you don't see it here.

What to know about donating network equipment

Where network gear ends up

Switches, routers, firewalls and wireless access points help schools, shelters and community centers get people online. They also make good training equipment for IT students.

Enterprise brands such as Cisco, Juniper, Aruba, Ubiquiti and Meraki are reviewed alongside small office equipment.

What we look at during review

Send the make, model and quantity. Tell us whether devices are cloud-managed and whether licenses are tied to your account.

Cloud-managed gear, like Meraki, must be released from your dashboard before it can be reused.

Reset configurations

Factory reset each device to remove passwords, VPN keys and network settings. A certificate of data destruction is available for businesses on request.

Value and your tax receipt

If you itemize, you may be able to deduct the fair market value of your network equipment, 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: save, release, reset

Network gear holds passwords and settings. A factory reset clears them before the equipment changes hands.

  1. 1

    Save your config

    Export any configuration you want to keep.

  2. 2

    Release from the cloud

    Remove devices from cloud dashboards and licensing accounts.

  3. 3

    Factory reset

    Use the reset button or the admin console to restore factory settings.

  4. 4

    Label power supplies

    Bag each power supply with its device.

Done? Check before you box it

  • Configurations saved
  • Released from cloud dashboards
  • Factory reset
  • Power supplies bagged with each unit

Packing and shipping your network equipment

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. Pack small devices together with padding between them. Larger lots can be palletized for bulk pickup.

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
Illustration of a volunteer connecting a network switch at a community center

Where your network equipment goes

Donated network equipment helps schools, shelters and nonprofits build reliable Wi-Fi and office networks.

Where your computer goes

A note on taxes

If you itemize, you may be able to deduct the fair market value of your network equipment: 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

Network equipment donation questions

Yes, once they're released from your dashboard.

Tell us about your network equipment

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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