The 1,000 Laptop Challenge Turns Outdated Corporate Equipment Into Teaching and Money-Making Tools for High School Entrepreneurs

Life science companies to spearhead donations of used and surplus laptops to support “We Sell Possible” student enterprise

 

Life Science Cares, the leading charitable organization in the Massachusetts biotech cluster, and The Possible Project, a nonprofit that fosters entrepreneurship in students from underserved communities, are challenging local companies to donate 1,000 used laptop computers.

The computers will be used by a student venture at The Possible Project in which students sell the computers or their parts, learn about technology and marketing, and are empowered to become the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Participating companies will earn tax write-offs for electronic equipment in any condition, and will help fund ongoing programs at The Possible Project.

Robert Finnegan, vice president of enterprises at The Possible Project, said, “The 1,000 Laptop Challenge gives local companies an opportunity to help students from the communities in which they do business with no out-of-pocket expense. We pick up used laptops and other electronics in any condition. Companies concerned about data security can wipe the memories of these devices, or even donate laptops after removing their hard drives.”

“The laptops – whether working or just for parts – give our students valuable, real-world experience in the ever-expanding online economy,” said Kate Mackie, manager of We Sell Possible, The Possible Project’s online resale business.

Leading the 1,000 Laptop Challenge with robust donations are Alkermes, a global biopharmaceutical company with an R&D center in Waltham and a focus on developing innovative medicines for people living with serious diseases such as central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including schizophrenia, depression and addiction; and AMAG Pharmaceuticals, a Waltham-based, publicly traded biopharmaceutical company.

“Donating electronics to provide real-world business experience to students enables Alkermes to make a meaningful impact in the communities where our employees live and work and to support the next generation of business leaders,” said Tom Harvey, Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President, IT at Alkermes. “We are proud to participate in the 1,000 Laptop Challenge and encourage other companies to seize this opportunity to be a responsible corporate citizen.”

Alkermes kicked off the Challenge with a recent donation of 136 laptops, as well as 10 monitors, 2 desktop computers, and dozens of iPhones, iPads and docking stations. AMAG Pharmaceuticals donated 35 laptops and is planning another donation soon.

Sarah MacDonald, executive director of Life Science Cares, said, “The 1,000 Laptop Challenge is one of the easiest ways for companies of any size or sector to give back to community. Not only do students learn valuable skills for career success, but companies can contribute to the recycling economy, ensuring that computers wind up in the hands of those that can use them rather than in a landfill. We invite companies – even those outside our traditional life science constituency – to help us hit our 1,000 laptop goal.”

Check out 1,000 Laptop Challenge FAQs.

 

How to donate used electronic equipment to the 1,000 Laptop Challenge:

Contact:

  • The Possible Project:

[email protected], or call (617) 492-9200

  • Life Science Cares:

[email protected]

 

About The Possible Project

The Possible Project is a Cambridge non-profit that uses entrepreneurship as a framework to close the skills and opportunities gap facing young people with untapped potential. The Possible Project works to instill an entrepreneurial mindset in our students, developing the social and emotional skills necessary to work collaboratively and solve problems in a high-level career path. The three-year, year-round afterschool program moves students through six progressive levels, gaining important personal and professional competencies. Learn more at www.possibleproject.org

 

About Life Science Cares

Life Science Cares harnesses the financial and human resources of the life science industry to fight poverty in Greater Boston. It builds deep and meaningful partnerships with local organizations that do the best work fighting poverty. Its members are focused on helping our communities address basic human survival by fighting hunger, homelessness and domestic abuse; provide education by funding STEM programs, college preparation and success classes and educational enrichment efforts; and economic sustainability by providing job creation, job training and mentoring. Learn more at www.lifesciencecares.org.