Global Giving

• 1). Log onto One Laptop Per Child, a reputable charity organization dedicated to providing low-cost, Internet-capable laptops to children in developing countries around the globe.
  
  
• 2). Click on "Ways to Give." This will take you to a page detailing various giving options. One such option is a $199 donation to provide a laptop to one underprivileged child; this option is the first to appear on the page. Click "Donate Now" to continue with a donation to buy a needy child a laptop. This will open a new page with a drop-down menu.
  
  
• 3). Use the drop-down menu to select the number of laptops you want to buy for the cause, then click "Donate." One Laptop Per Child uses Amazon Payments, so if you do not have an Amazon.com account you will be prompted to sign up for one. Getting an account is free; the only thing that will be charged to your credit card is the cost of the computer you're donating. One Laptop Per Child is a leader in providing dependable technology to children who need it; however, if you are interested in more localized giving, follow the next set of steps.
  
  

Local Giving

• 1). Search charity database listings for information about local organizations offering free computers to youth. The best resource for finding charities is the IRS website. Using the IRS' charity search, you can use keywords like "Computers" and "Kids" to find dozens of organizations that provide computers to underprivileged youngsters. Some reputable organizations indexed by the IRS are Computers for Kids, Computers for Students and Crayons to Computers. A reputable charity will be officially listed as nonprofit charity organization with the IRS. Be wary of buying a computer for an youth education company that does not appear on the IRS website---be sure to request references and spending reports for organizations that you are unsure of.
  
  
• 2). Contact local youth shelters and community centers. Most nonprofit youth organizations will happily accept a new computer. Local centers are continually in need of donated computers for use in activity centers for underprivileged youth. For example, the Boys & Girls Club of America accepts donations of physical items, like computers, in addition to cash donations. Other, more localized organizations also exist in communities across the United States.
  
  
• 3). Connect with church groups. Many churches are willing to provide a list of underprivileged families in the congregation for the purposes of donation; contact these families to find out what the computing needs of their children are, buying a computer for the most deserving kids.
  
  
• 4). Post flyers at local youth centers, community centers and schools. Community locales are not just great places to give computers to, but also great places to connect directly with underprivileged students. Indicate that you want to provide free computers to deserving students, asking for a written statement of need from interested parties. Many schools will also be happy that you want to help out a deserving student; you'll often be able have your announcement read over the loudspeaker. Weigh the statements of need carefully and give away your PCs directly to deserving families.