Skip to Content

Hardware Grants

FreeGeek Columbus recognizes that non-profit organizations need computers just as much as individuals. In order to help local non-profits, FreeGeek Columbus offers a Hardware Grant program, through which organizations can apply for one or more computers free of charge.

FreeGeek Columbus will provide a computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and all necessary cables to connect everything. The computer will be loaded with Ubuntu Linux, which provides a wealth of useful (and fun!) software.

Any organization that is recognized as a non-profit by state or federal governments is eligible to apply for a FreeGeek Columbus Hardware Grant. The FreeGeek Columbus Board of Directors, or a committee appointed by the board of directors, will make the final decision about recipients of the grants based on the following criteria:

  • Will the computers be used in or around Central Ohio?
  • Is an active FreeGeek Columbus volunteer sponsoring the grant application?
  • How effectively will the grant computers further the FreeGeek Columbus mission?
  • How has the organization used FreeGeek Columbus grant computers in the past?
  • Will the available computers satisfy the applicant's needs?
  • Will the applicant be able to support the computers after they are delivered?

Please note that FreeGeek Columbus is a volunteer organization, and must budget our human resources. We don't have resources to be the IT department for any organizations receiving hardware grants. The significant limitation for many organizations applying for a hardware grant is having a "shepherd" in the organization who will be responsible for handling basic administration and helping users in the organization. If an organization lacks a shepherd, they don't meet the criteria to qualify for a grant. Although the application asks who will serve in the shepherd role, most applicants don't understand the significance of this question.

Anyone who has attended a FreeGeek Columbus training class should qualify as a shepherd. If your organization is interested in applying for a Hardware Grant but does not yet satisfy the requirement of a shepherd, consider attending one of our training classes!

To apply, please complete the Hardware Grant Application.