2.29.2008 - 09:00am ET

(CSRwire) SAN FRANCISCO, CA - February 29, 2008 - Nonprofit technology assistance provider TechSoup (www.techsoup.org) announced today a $500,000 grant from The California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF, www.cetfund.org) to distribute 9,500 Refurbished Computer Initiative (RCI) computers to nonprofits and low-income families by October 2009.

TechSoup's RCI works to meet the growing demand for affordable, quality computer systems nonprofit organizations and their low-income clients need. RCI provides an essential component of a technology ecosystem that includes: power; hardware; connectivity; software; training/support; and affordable cost. The grant will enable TechSoup to take RCI from successful pilot program to sustainability, and is a crucial step for California and the nation towards digital inclusion for the underserved.

Contributions from corporate partners who donate their used equipment form the cornerstone of the program. Once these computer systems are upgraded, they are made available to end-users at the lowest possible price point – currently under $300. The RCI model enables companies to invest in their communities by providing essential tools for learning, while simultaneously engaging in "Green Philanthropy" by diverting their computer equipment from landfills.

Sunne Wright McPeak, President & CEO of CETF, remarked: "CETF is excited to be a major investor in scaling up the Refurbished Computer Initiative in California. The pilot proved highly successful in showing strong demand among low-income populations and the strong likelihood RCI can be self-sustaining. The timing is also terrific for business and government entities that value green corporate social responsibility initiatives."

Rebecca Masisak, Co-CEO of TechSoup, commented on the impact of the CETF grant: "By distributing computers to nonprofits and their clients during the pilot phase, RCI has already taken impressive first steps to demonstrate its viability and impact. CETF has recognized RCI's potential on both the environmental and the social level. Their generous grant will help us make a wider range of equipment available to more clients, have greater environmental impact, engage more donor partners and, last but not least, make the program sustainable."

"The RCI program is ready for large scale operation. Our challenge is supply!" said Jim Lynch, Program Director. "We would like to encourage companies and large organizations to participate in RCI as recognized partners by donating their used, commercial-grade personal computers and other office equipment."

The RCI program is geared to the business needs of large corporations by providing data security, fulfilling environmental regulation requirements, and transferring liability. The program accepts all IT and office equipment, working or not. Materials that are not suitable for re-use are recycled following "no export" and "no solid-waste landfill" policies, thereby protecting the environment while delivering a social benefit. RCI is a corporate social responsibility program that can be implemented with essentially no new investment.

More information about the RCI program can be found at www.techsoup.org/stock/rci/. Contact Kris Sowolla ksowolla@techsoup.org, 415-633-9476 for specifics about participation as an RCI equipment donor.

About CETF
The California Emerging Technology Fund is a nonprofit private foundation established pursuant to requirements from the California Public Utilities Commission in approving the mergers of SBC-AT&T and Verizon-MCI. Its mission is to provide leadership statewide to minimize the Digital Divide by accelerating the deployment and adoption of broadband and other advanced communication services to underserved communities in a way that advances actions to make California a global leader in the availability and use of broadband technology. CETF's initiatives address the 5As of Adoption - Access, Applications, Affordability, Accessibility and Assistance to increase Adoption and use of broadband in rural and remote areas, urban disadvantaged neighborhoods and among people with disabilities. The major initiatives in these communities include access and literacy of affordable housing residents, development of a telemedicine network and applications, skills training for 21st jobs in ICT, increased adoption and use of broadband by small businesses and greater availability of affordable computers, training and technical assistance.

About TechSoup
Founded in 1987 as CompuMentor, TechSoup is one of the most comprehensive technology assistance providers in the world, employing a staff of 150 and deploying a budget of over $18 million in FY 2008. It conducts a range of major programs on the international, national and the local level, including the operation of its nonprofit technology website TechSoup (www.techsoup.org), and its distribution service for technology product donations, TechSoup Stock (www.techsoup.org/stock). As part of TechSoup Stock, the Refurbished Computer Initiative (RCI) distributes unwanted corporate IT equipment to nonprofits and low income families, turning used computers and office equipment into effective corporate green philanthropy. TechSoup's newest programs are the NetSquared (www.netsquared.org) initiative to help nonprofits worldwide use new Internet-based tools such as blogging, podcasting and social networking to extend their reach and impact, and TechSoup Global, its program aimed at building nonprofit capacity worldwide.

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