Frequently Asked Questions

Recipient FAQ

1. What does the National Cristina Foundation do?
2. What is the Non-Profit Locator?
3. What is the Cristina Network?
4. Is there a charge for your services?
5. Are you a Not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Public Charity?
6. How can an organization or school receive equipment?
7. My organization needs computers to help our fundraising efforts and/or to run our office administration. Will the National Cristina Foundation help us?
8. I have computer equipment that I would like to donate to the National Cristina Foundation. How do I do this?
9. What equipment can I donate?
10. What are the minimum requirements for donated equipment?
11. How do I wipe my hard drive of personal information?
12. I'm not a company, can I still donate computer equipment?
13. Are there tax benefits for donations by individuals?
14. What are the tax benefits to corporate donors?
15. Will my equipment definitely be accepted?

1. (Back to Top)What does the National Cristina Foundation do?

   The National Cristina Foundation works to promote reuse by educating businesses and the public that used technology resources are valuable tools that can be given a second productive life for developing human potential.  We encourage them to donate their used equipment in support of this agenda.

   We provide solutions to help nonprofits, schools and public agencies manage their own technology reuse agendas to assist people with disabilities, students at risk and economically disadvantaged persons in their local communities to lead more independent and productive lives.
   

2. (Back to Top)What is the Non-Profit Locator?

   The Non-Profit Locator is a search engine that allows donors to find local non-profits, schools, and public agencies in need of equipment like they're donating. Once a possible recipient is found, the donor can read more about that organization and see precisely the equipment they've specified a need for. The donor can then donate their equipment directly to the chosen organization.
   

3. (Back to Top)What is the Cristina Network?

   The National Cristina Foundation's Cristina Network is a community of organizations who are benefiting from the reuse of technology.  Organizations throughout the United States come together through the Cristina Network to share ideas and build reuse solutions.  All of our partner organizations are currently in the process of gradually being registered as partners in the Cristina Network community.
   

4. (Back to Top)Is there a charge for your services?

   No, the National Cristina Foundation does not charge donors or partner organizations for its services.
   

5. (Back to Top)Are you a Not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Public Charity?

   Yes, the National Cristina Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) publicly supported foundation.
   

6. (Back to Top)How can an organization or school receive equipment?

   Organizations with not-for-profit 501(c)(3) status, and public schools or public agencies need to register to be a partner in the Cristina Network. The information about  how to register as a partner is under the tab To be a Partner on https://www.cristina.org.

7. (Back to Top)My organization needs computers to help our fundraising efforts and/or to run our office administration. Will the National Cristina Foundation help us?

   No. National Cristina Foundation partner organizations work to get donations of equipment for purposes related to training, job development, educational programs and other related projects that focus directly on improving the lives of people with disabilities, students at risk, and economically disadvantaged people.

8. (Back to Top)I have computer equipment that I would like to donate to the National Cristina Foundation. How do I do this?

   1. Click on How to Donate from the site’s main navigation.
   2. Follow the instructions on the site. Each step of the donation process will provide directions on how to fill out the donor submission form.
   3. The equipment is matched to an organization in your area of the country.
   4. Someone from the organization that your donation has been matched to as the recipients will contact you to make arrangements for pick up or delivery of the equipment.

9. (Back to Top)What equipment can I donate?

   A list of common donation items by donors needed by partners in the Cristina Network might include:
   

   PC Desktop Systems, PC Laptop Systems, Mac Desktop Systems, Mac Laptop Systems, PC CPU (Partial System)s, All-In-One Units, Answering Machines, CDROM Drives, Copiers, Digital Cameras, Pen/Drawing Tablets, Fax Machines, Flatbed Scanners, Hard Disk Drives, Keyboards, Modems, Switch or Routers, Monitors, Mice, Tablet or PDAs, Network Interface Cards, Plotters, Printers, Software Items, Sound Cards, Video Cards, and Miscellaneous Items.

10. (Back to Top)What are the minimum requirements for donated equipment?

    Our partners needs vary among the various groups as to what they will accept.  Pentium IVs & Higher CPUs are generally accepted.  Hardware needing repair is considered on a case-by-case basis where partner organizations have repair capabilities. 

11. (Back to Top)How do I wipe my hard drive of personal information?

    Before delivery/pickup of your equipment, you will need to back up any necessary data and remove all data from your hard drive. You are responsible for the deletion of all data that may be contained on the computer hardware. There are several products on the market for data removal and cost for these software solutions vary (many are free). Here are some links for more information:

    Google "Disk Wiping" Search

    A great place to start doing research on data removal solutions is by searching Google. You'll quickly get a sense of what's involved and thousands of links to available software. If you have them, please be sure to include your operating system software on CD or diskette, the Certificate of Authenticity, end-user license agreements and manuals that came with your system.  One such product Kill Disk can be located at http:www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm.
    

12. (Back to Top)I'm not a company, can I still donate computer equipment?

    Yes! In fact, individual donors like you are what allow so many people all over the country to help the organizations in the Cristina Network assist the people in need in their communities.
    

13. (Back to Top)Are there tax benefits for donations by individuals?

    For individuals, the charitable deduction for contributions of technology equals the fair market value (retail used value in the current market place) of the donated property. A Donor Acknowledgement Letter specifiying details of your donation is provided upon the completion of the donation process. The donation is tax deductible for the year in which a partner organization receives the equipment. Shipping costs are also tax deductible under applicable rules and regulations.  Value estimates of your donations can be obtained from www.usedprice.com for a nominal charge.

14. (Back to Top)What are the tax benefits to corporate donors?

    The IRS code provides for a tax deduction for property donated to a charitable organization such as the National Cristina Foundation under applicable rules and regulations. For Corporate donors, tax deductions are usually limited to the amount of the donor's tax basis in the property contributed. A Donor Acknowledgement Letter is provided upon the completion of the donation process. That letter will reflect the year in which a partner organization receives the equipment. Confirm eligibility for the deductions with your own tax advisor. Warehousing and shipping costs are also tax deductible under applicable rules and regulations.  Value estimates of your donations can be obtained from www.usedprice.com for a nominal charge.  IRS requires that the donor establish the free market value.
    

15. (Back to Top)Will my equipment definitely be accepted?

    Due to a number of factors, including the quality of the equipment and the needs of the partner organizations, it is not always possible to find homes for some donations.