(NOTE: I was notified by a representative of Gifts In Kind that the program written about in the article below was terminated on March 31, 2006. It is hoped that this program will be resumed in the future, and I will notify the readers if and when that happens.)
This short note is just to pass the word that the World Bank Group, for a twelve month period, is donating its used computer systems. other office equipment, supplies and furniture through Gifts In Kind International to non-profit and non-governmental organizations in the countries in which the World Bank has facilities, and in other countries where there exists a significant need for technology.
Before I go too much further, I should point out that while this is a global program, NGOs in only certain countries are eligible. In Africa, the program is only accepting applications from the following African countries:
Algeria
Angola
Benin
Central African Republic
Chad
Cote D'Ivoire
Egypt
Gambia
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Madagascar
Mali
Morocco
Senegal
Tunisia
Uganda
The broad categories of the program's regions are:
Africa Region
East Asia and Pacific Region
Europe and Central Asia Region
External Relations Offices (Europe)
Latin America and Caribbean Region
Middle East and North Africa Region
South Asia Region
Donation Program Overview
Through this program The World Bank will be donating nonprofits/NGOs located in countries in which the World Bank has facilities and other countries in which significant need for technology exists.
The World Bank is making these recycled computers, as well as other office equipment, supplies and furniture to assist nonprofits/NGOs in the eligible countries with programs in the areas of:
Education (K-12)
Job training
Opportunities for youth
Maternal and child health
Adult literacy/mentoring and
Other critical social community services
To be eligible, the organizations must have a nonprofit status in the country in which they are located that is comparable to the 501(c)(3) non-profit status in the U.S. These computers are only available to those NGOs, located in certain countries outside of the U.S.
HERE IS A LIST OF WHAT IS BEING DONATED:
HARDWARE
The equipment to be donated consists of a Pentium III OptiPlexTM used desk top
computer system and/or laptop computer systems with approximately 20GB hard drive and 256MB of RAM, CDROM and/or a 3.5" 1.44 MB floppy disk drive with MS Windows Pro 2000 Operating System, mouse, keyboard and 17" Ultrascan and Trinitron Monitor.
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
Gifts in Kind point out that the electrical plug for the equipment is a U.S. Standard plug; the CPUs are equipped with a switch for 110 and 220 capacity; if that is not appropriate in the country of use you can use an adapter/transformer for 110 voltage or simply cut the plug and attach the proper plug for the country's voltage.
SOFTWARE
In addition to the computer equipment, software, developed by Teachers Without Borders, called Certificate of Teaching Mastery will be installed on the computer. The software also includes two additional courses, "HIV-AIDS for Educators", and "Learning and Earning: Establishing and Sustaining a Community Teaching & Learning Center".
Equipment will be available to nonprofit organizations in countries in which the World Bank has a facility or special interest.
Each recipient organization is limited to 10 systems unless a plan of use for additional systems has been approved.
In its screening process Gifts In Kind will ensure that the recipient NGOs meet the following standards:
1. It is a nonprofit organization with non-profit status and documentation in the country in which your organization operates.
2. The goods will be used solely for the care of the disadvantaged as noted in the program guidelines.
3. The use of the goods will be related to the purpose of the organization making it tax exempt.
4. The organization must not promote religious faith as one of its explicit goals and must not have the nomination or election of candidates to political office as an explicit purpose.
5. The goods will not be transferred by this organization in exchange for money, property, or other services. You agree that a court entering equitable relief, including but not limited to injunctive relief may enforce this restriction.
6. Donations must be used by the recipient organization to operate its offices or be used in programs to help those in need, free of charge. Donations cannot be used for fundraisers, raffles or auctions; given to volunteers or staff members; or sold in retail stores or flea markets. Gifts In Kind International reserves the right to limit or restrict the quantities of donations your organization requests.
7. The organization agrees to provide complete substantiation of its distribution of all product donations to Gifts In Kind International promptly upon request. You must send the serial numbers of the system you receive according to the procedures, which will be sent to notify you when the systems will be ready for pickup. In addition, the organization agrees to maintain adequate books and records of these donations as required by applicable regulations and to make such records available upon request.
8. Organizations using donated products for purposes other than those intended will be removed from the program, and legal action will be taken.
9. Any goods received from Gifts In Kind International and the World Bank will not be used with the intention or knowledge that they will be used to commit a terrorist act.
In addition to all other requirements, the organization must also:
o Be specifically designated by The World Bank or registered with Gifts In Kind International, either directly or through a Gifts In Kind® program.
o Not advocate, support or practice discrimination based on race, religion, age, national origin, language, sex, sexual preference, or physical handicap.
All requests for donations will be handled in the order in which they are is received and will be accepted for the program on a first-come first-served basis.
For more information about the program interested organizations are asked to please contact Gifts In Kind International by:
Phone: 1+ (703) 836-2121
Email: productdonations@giftsinkind.org
or Via Facsimile: 1+ 703-549-1481
A QUICK WORD ABOUT GIFTS IN KIND INTERNATIONAL
Gifts In Kind International's Mission is...
Linking resources to enhance, empower and restore communities and people in need. And the organization came about through a "generous 3M corporate product donation in 1983, which marked its beginning. Today Gifts In Kind International is the "seventh largest charity in America according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy and is acknowledged as one of the most cost-efficient charities by Forbes magazine. Over forty percent of the Fortune 100 consumer & retail product corporations rely on Gifts In Kind International to design and manage the donation process."
Gifts In Kind International, a registered 501(c)(3) U.S. nonprofit, charitable organization, is driven by "a mission of providing an effective conduit for the donation of products, goods and services from the private sector to the charitable sector. This organization is a recognized leader in the field of product philanthropy. And it is ranked as "one of the most cost-efficient charities in the world." It operates on less than 0.5 percent of its annual donations. And in 2004 alone, Gifts In Kind International and its global affiliates distributed nearly $820 million in quality products to a network of more than 200,000 charitable nonprofits around the world.
To find out more, visit their web site.
World Bank / Gifts In Kind International Computer Donations
Gifts In Kind International
P.O. Box 18002
Merrifield, VA 22118-0002
Or Via Facsimile to: 1+ 703-549-1481
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