Support

Founded in 1998, PCs for People is a national leader in digital inclusion. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, every project, program, and initiative is centered on providing low-cost computers and affordable broadband internet to individuals, families, and organizations with low income.

What began in 1998 as a one-person effort in Mankato to get computers into the hands of kids in need has grown into a national organization with nine physical locations and online distribution in all 50 states. Since its founding, PCs for People has positively impacted more than 825,000 people through access to computers, internet connectivity, and digital skills training. In today’s world, where education, healthcare, employment, and essential services increasingly require reliable technology, digital inclusion is not optional — it is critical. Our self-sustaining social enterprise model is designed to create measurable community value at every stage of our work.

PCs for People also advances environmental sustainability by intercepting usable technology before it reaches landfills and refurbishing it for reuse. Businesses often retire computers long before the end of their functional lifespan, contributing to the growing electronic waste crisis in the United States. Through our certified, secure IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) services, we provide businesses with free electronic recycling solutions that include complete data destruction and privacy protection — services that typically come at a high cost.

All usable devices collected through our ITAD program are securely wiped using our NAID AAA-certified process and then refurbished for redistribution to individuals and families in need. Equipment that cannot be reused is responsibly recycled through certified downstream partners, ensuring zero-landfill impact.

In building our recycling workforce, we have developed an award-winning partnership with MSS (formerly Midwest Special Services), a nonprofit organization that supports adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. Through this collaboration, MSS clients gain valuable hands-on experience through work training, internships, and volunteer opportunities within our electronics recycling operations — helping them build skills, confidence, and pathways toward achieving their personal and professional goals.