Computers are powerful tools and most of us can't imagine life without them.

But this is the reality for too many people. The Australian Digital Inclusion Index found that 1 in 4 people are at risk of being digitally excluded which equates to over 6 million Australians. This digital divide is a real problem because lack of digital access can stop people from accessing education, healthcare, work opportunities and social connection.

Laptop Launchpad hopes to change that. We turn used laptops into tools of transformation. Together with the redistribution experts at Good360 Australia we're reclaiming and refurbishing retired corporate laptops so we can give them to the people that need them most.

What we need now is more computers and financial contributions to cover refurbishment and distribution costs. Donate today and change the trajectory of someone's life tomorrow.

Pledge to donate laptops

Make a financial donation

How does Laptop Launchpad work?

What is the digital divide and why does it matter?

The gap between people that have access to the digital tools that they need and people that don't is called the digital divide, and it is a significant issue in Australia.

The Australian Digital Inclusion Index found that 1 in 4 Australians are at risk of being digitally excluded. Further research from the Good Things Foundation shows people on lower incomes are more likely to have mobile-only access to the internet, in addition, one third of those with a mobile-data only connection are low-income families with school-aged children.

In an ever more digital society, these people are likely to be restricted in their ability to perform high value activities like access to health services, studying, applying for jobs or starting a business as well as the benefits of social connection. As a result, digital exclusion can have a multiplier effect and leave people without digital access further disadvantaged in the future as they lose access to education and job opportunities whilst facing isolation.

How do I get involved in Laptop Launchpad?

There are two main ways to get involved in Laptop Launchpad. You can either donate computers or dollars to the campaign. Find more information about both options below.

Get your employer to pledge their company laptops

Organisations around Australia can commit to donating their work laptops to the scheme once they reach a certain age (generally between 3 to 5 years old). This ensures a constant flow of computers ready to be transformed through Laptop Launchpad. You can commit to donate your devices using this form.

Pledge to donate laptops

Make a financial contribution to the campaign

There is a cost associated with testing, resetting and refurbishing the devices. Normally this process costs around $250 per device but we've reduced this cost to $100. We're asking for donations so we can cover these costs and offer these laptops for FREE to Australians in need.

Make a financial donation

Who is behind Laptop Launchpad?

Laptop Launchpad was launched as a partnership between global fintech Finder and surplus goods redistribution charity Good360. The idea was born when Good360 founder Alison Covington AM met Finder co-founder Fred Schebesta. Alison had the experience of connecting goods to the people who needed them. Fred had the experience of launching ideas on the internet. They found a shared passion for tackling the digital divide and so the campaign was born.

Finder

Finder is a global fintech and Australia's most visited comparison platform on a mission to help people save money and make money. Through our thousands of free online guides, we support Australians to make financial decisions that change their lives for the better. As a web based business, we recognise the difference that reliable access to a computer can make in someone's life.

Good360 Australia

Good360 is a not-for-profit organisation that connects charities, schools and society's most vulnerable with businesses willing to donate unsold or surplus goods, services and disaster recovery essentials. The result is a Circle of Good that reduces need and waste in our communities at the same time so everyone benefits – from people to the planet.

Where do the laptops go?

Good360 Australia manages the refurbishment and redistribution of the laptops in the Laptop Launchpad process. Good360 is a not-for-profit organisation that has spent over a decade connecting surplus goods with the people that need them most. To date it has donated over 33 million items worth over $300 million. To achieve this it relies on a network of over 3,000 charities and schools including Salvation Army, Vinnies, Save The Children, Drought Angels and Rural Aid Australia. You can find more details at Good360's impact hub.

Frequently asked questions

• What do you do with the laptops to make sure our data is safe?

  All laptops received are tested, wiped and refurbished before being sent on. The testing part of the process ensures that the device is safe for future usage. The wiping part of the process reformats all digital storage on the device to ensure that any remaining data is removed. Any devices that fail any stage of the process will be recycled.

• Can I donate my personal laptop as an individual?

  Currently we are only accepting laptops donations from organisations. This is because multiple laptops from the same organisation tend to be similar models and ages which helps to reduce refurbishment costs on a per unit basis. Our aim is to start accepting laptops from individuals once the program has reached a scale where this is viable. In the meantime, you can support the program as individual by either making a financial donation, asking your employer to donate laptops or by spreading the word to people who may be interested.

• We don't have any laptops to give away right now but we would like to give some in future. Is this possible?

  Yes, absolutely. One of the things that will give this initiative longevity is organisations committing to give laptops on an ongoing basis. We think this works particularly well if you decide to give all laptops once they reach a certain age. For example, Finder will be giving all our laptops in Australia to the scheme in their fifth year of use. This means that every year we will be donating between 25 to 40 laptops as the computers our crew use start to age.

• How old can the laptops be?

  We are currently only accepting laptops that are less than 5 years old. We may make exceptions for large donations of laptops that are older than this.

• I need a laptop. How do I request one?

  Good360 Australia is managing the redistribution of the computers and it does this through its network of over 3,000 charities and schools. This means we are not currently accepting requests from individuals for laptops. If you are a representative of a charity or school that needs laptops then you can register your interest using this Good360 expression of interest form.

• How do I get my laptops to Good360? Can they pick them up from my office?

  There are a number of ways of getting laptops to Good360 and in some instances we can arrange office collections. Please register your interest in donating laptops through the Laptop Launchpad sign-up form and someone from the team will be in touch with you to arrange next steps.