Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers for donors

1. Do you give tax receipts for donated equipment?
2. How much is the tax break?
3. Who do I contact to make a donation?
4. Are the donated hard drives formatted?
5. Do you accept Apple® computers?
6. How do I get the computers to you?
7. Do you accept other types of computer equipment, such as printers or scanners?
8. What are the program requirements?
9. Are there other ways to help?

Questions and answers for beneficiaries

1. Does it cost anything to receive computers?
2. Is there any technical support available for donated equipment?
3. Is software included on the donated computers?

Questions and answers about Computers for Schools Intern Program (CFSI)

1. How much does this job pay?
2. What types of things will I learn on the job?
3. Can I apply even if I have no work experience?


Questions and answers for donors

1. Do you give tax receipts for donated equipment?

Yes. Tax receipts are available for working computers.


2. How much is the tax break?

The amount you receive depends on the value of your donation and your tax situation. Equipment is evaluated by a third party to determine the fair market value.

Here's how it works: When you submit your donor form, Computers for Schools assesses your donation and determines the value of the equipment, if any. With that value, you can consult the Charitable donation tax credit calculator to determine your tax break.

For example: Victoria lives in Belleville, Ontario and donated $10,000 worth of computers in 2014 to CFS. The federal charitable tax credit rate is 15% on the first $200 and 29% on the remaining $9,800. So, her federal tax credit is therefore (15% × $200) + (29% × $9,800) = $2,872. The provincial charitable tax credit rates for Ontario for 2014 are 5.05% on the first $200 and 11.16% on the remaining $200. Therefore her provincial tax credit is (5.05% × $200) + (11.16% × $9,800) = $1,103.78.

So, by giving $10,000 worth of unused equipment to Computers for Schools, she received a $3,975.78 tax refund while helping kids and the environment.


3. Who do I contact to make a donation?

If you'd like to make a donation, visit your local CFS+ Affiliate's website. Requirements vary across the country.


4. Are the donated hard drives formatted?

Yes. Hard drives are thoroughly wiped clean of data in our refurbishment centres. We know that your privacy is an important concern when donating computer equipment; each donated computer's data storage devices is overwritten a minimum of three times by an approved data overwrite software system. We nevertheless encourage you to wipe your computer data before making your donation.


5. Do you accept Apple® computers?

Yes. Apple® computers are accepted. Visit your local CFS Affiliate's website for details.


6. How do I get the computers to you?

For more information about what is accepted in your region, visit your local CFS Affiliate's website.


7. Do you accept other types of computer equipment, such as printers or scanners?

Some regions accept digital cameras, scanners, printers or tablets. Requirements vary across the country; for more information about what is accepted in your region, visit your local CFS Affiliate's website.


8. What are the program requirements?

Requirements vary across the country. Please refer to your local CFS Affiliate's website for additional information.


9. Are there other ways to help?

If you do not have any surplus computers but you still wish to contribute, we also accept donations of advertising and infrastructure support. Some refurbishment centres do not have enough storage space to hold all of the donated equipment once it has been refurbished and is waiting to be delivered. Donations of warehouse space, for example, are therefore just as important as donations of equipment.

Questions and answers for beneficiaries

1. Does it cost anything to receive computers?

Free computers are available from CFS. A small fee may be charged to have an operating system installed. If upgrades to the hardware or software are requested, there may be a cost.

Your local CFS Affiliate will be able to provide more details.


2. Is there any technical support available for donated equipment?

No, there is no ongoing technical support available for donated equipment. Every effort is made to deliver working computers, but it's possible equipment may be damaged during shipping. If the equipment you receive does not work properly, please contact the local CFS Affiliate and it will be replaced.

Many libraries and not-for-profits offer digital skill training across the country.  Please contact your local library, or look at our Digital Literacy Exchange recipients that offer training in many parts of the country.


3. Is software included on the donated computers?

Yes, if required. For more information, visit your local CFS Affiliate's website.

Questions and answers about Computers for Schools Intern Program (CFSI)

1. How much does this job pay?

The CFS intern program offers rates that are compatible with your region.  For information, contact your local CFS Affiliate.


2. What types of things will I learn on the job?

The CFSI program will allow youth to gain work experience through internships targeted to develop and enhance advanced digital skills in a variety of areas including:

  • using diagnostic tools and software;
  • erasing, formatting, installing and testing hard drives;
  • configuring and diagnosing operating systems;
  • installing and testing software;
  • isolating, researching and resolving errors,
  • preparing or dismantling shipments,
  • developing communications material,
  • community outreach,
  • network set-up and installation, and
  • training and support.

3. Can I apply even if I have no work experience?

Absolutely! The CFSI program provides many recent graduates from technology programs with their first job experience.