Our Mission
Through electronic reuse, PCs for People provides the opportunity for all individuals, families, and nonprofits with low income to benefit from the life-changing impact of computers, internet, and digital skills.
PCs for People is a national nonprofit social enterprise working to get low-cost quality computers and internet into the homes of individuals, families, and nonprofits with low income. By recycling and then refurbishing computers, PCs for People provides a valuable service to businesses, families, and the planet by keeping computers out of landfills and repurposing them to advance digital inclusion.
Through electronic reuse, PCs for People provides the opportunity for all individuals, families, and nonprofits with low income to benefit from the life-changing impact of computers, internet, and digital skills.
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 at PCs for People is centered on getting low-cost computers and affordable broadband internet into the homes of people and organizations with low income.
What started in 1998 as a humble one-man effort in Mankato, MN, to provide computers to kids in need has become a national organization with nine physical locations and an online presence in all fifty states. Through an unwavering commitment to the communities we serve, since 1998 we have made a difference in the lives of 825,000 people through computers, internet, and digital skills training. Digital inclusion efforts such as ours are essential in today’s society, where it is increasingly hard to access education, healthcare, or employment opportunities without access to a computer and the internet. Our model is a self-sustainable social enterprise centered on building community value in every part of our program.
PCs for People’s model contributes to environmental sustainability by intercepting usable computers before they reach landfills and refurbishing them for reuse. Businesses typically retire computers long before their usable life is over and this has contributed to America becoming the largest producer of electronic waste in the world. We offer businesses a certified secure electronic recycling service. This IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) service is free and offers benefits such as privacy and total data security that businesses would ordinarily have to pay for. Any usable computers obtained through this service have their data securely wiped using our NAID AAA certified process and are then refurbished for distribution. Our environmental certifications ensure that all electronic waste we cannot reuse is recycled sustainably with zero-landfill impact. In creating our recycling workforce, we have built an award-winning partnership with MSS (formerly Midwest Special Services), a nonprofit that supports adults with intellectual and physical disabilities to help them reach their personal goals and achieve their full potential. MSS clients are provided hands-on experience through work training, internship, and volunteer opportunities within our electronic waste recycling processes.
Everything at PCs for People starts with our values. These brand values are inherent in everything we do; from sourcing to refurbishing to distribution to support. They’re what make us who we are and we strive to communicate them to customers, clients, partners, and the public through our actions and words whenever they interact with our brand.
As a nonprofit organization committed to digital inclusion, we strive to be inclusive in everything we do. We recognize that all people are unique and believe everyone should be valued, respected, and treated with dignity – for all of who they are – regardless of differences.
We exist in order to help everyone access computers, the internet, and the skills needed to use them effectively. As a social enterprise, we believe that helping people does not always mean charity, but also creating an equitable environment in which everyone can feel empowered and capable to join the digital world. We strive to give people the tools, knowledge, and assistance they need to succeed. We are the supplier, the mentor, and the cheerleader, all rolled into one.
We understand the importance and value of trust in the relationships we keep. Whether it is destroying data securely, protecting private information, or delivering a quality product and service, we strive to always earn the trust of everyone we have the privilege to work with.
Sticking with the status quo is not our vibe. We understand that in order to achieve our vision of digital equity for all, we will need to think outside the box. We invite innovative ideas and approaches to solving the digital divide and do not shy away from projects that seem “too big” or “too hard.” We are here to find solutions, not follow the crowd.
While you may not see us in neckties or high heels very often, we will always aim to provide the highest level of professional service possible. We understand the value of our services, especially for our customers with lower incomes, and promise to never take that for granted. We strive to deliver the highest quality possible, whether it is through our refurbished technology, internet service, e-waste recycling, customer service, digital skills training, or partnerships.
No matter how large we grow, we never want to lose sight of how we began; in a small space in Mankato, MN, connecting kids-in-need to computers. “For People” is at the heart of all we do. Especially in a digital space, we strive to always show up authentically and never forget that our work is driven by and for person-to-person connections.
PCs for People relies on valuable community partnerships and volunteers to grow our reach and mission. Whether you are an individual looking to give back, a nonprofit seeking tech for your members, or a city official interested in low-cost internet solutions, we would love to work with you!
Your financial support makes digital inclusion a reality. Donations can be made by individuals and companies alike. Please consider joining our mission and making an impact with us.
