MINNESOTA COMPUTERS FOR SCHOOLS ANNUAL REPORT 2010

t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s

Minnesota Computers for Schools transforms technology into student success by upgrading and customizing viable, donated computers from companies that enable K-12 schools to provide engaging, relevant 21st century learning experiences for students.

Transformations“Transformations” captures the real impact our work has throughout Minnesota. We help to transform classrooms and the lives of students through access to technology; we are transforming the job readiness of inmates by providing them with employment skills; we are transforming business recycling practices by providing businesses a useful way to donate their replaced, but usable, computers; and Minnesota Computers for Schools positively transforms the environment by recycling hundreds of thousands of pounds of equipment and keeping technology waste out of landfills. Minnesota Computers for Schools is proud of the excellent work accomplished by our organization in 2010, and we are enthusiastic about the changes, challenges and opportunities which await us in the future. In 2010 our organization’s impact was great. 295,000 students were given access and 3,429 computers were placed in schools because of our work. Minnesota Computers for Schools served 121 schools statewide, including the addition of 15 new school customers and 9 new school districts. Minnesota Computers for Schools engaged 77 inmates at the Stillwater Correctional Facility who were provided an opportunity for employment by learning valuable and transferable skills.

And, our environmental impact is something to be proud of. Last year 257,677 pounds of computer waste was recycled and over 3,400 computer units were refurbished rather than destroyed.

Our work would not be possible without technology donors, individual contributors and our funding partners at foundations, nonprofits and government agencies. We thank our current partners and continue to welcome new parties who are interested in furthering the Minnesota Computers for Schools mission of improving student success by transforming donated computer technology into greater educational opportunity for K-12 students in Minnesota.

Sincerely,

Tamara GillardExecutive Director

Steven WillemsChair

2010 by the Numbers REVENUE

Product Sales .............................................................$606,200.00 Cash Contributions.....................................................$135,700.00

Interest............................................................................$1,070.00

Scrap.............................................................................$64,100.00

EXPENSES

Staff.............................................................................$526,000.00

Components.................................................................$80,400.00

Inmate Wages...............................................................$32,300.00

Transportation...............................................................$23,000.00 Marketing and Travel....................................................$22,100.00 Rent..............................................................................$10,000.00

2010 SERVICE STATISTICS

Education121 schools served; 15 new school customers and 9 new Districts3,429 computers placed in schools295,000 students were given access to computers20 Special Kids and 2 Special Education Departments were provided with cost-effective computer solutions

Restorative Justice77 inmates at Stillwater Correctional Facility employed, learning transferable skills

Environmental Impact257,677 pounds of computer waste was recycled and not put into landfillsOver 3,400 computer units were refurbished instead of being destroyed; 41 corporations and government departments donated computers, including 12 new business donors

2010 HIGHLIGHTS

Pilot Program Minnesota Computers for Schools piloted its recycling and refurbishing training program to at-risk youth at the Guadalupe Alternative Program School (GAP). This program serves students who have not been successful in traditional school settings. The goal is to train students on computer refurbishing skills, using the Microsoft®-certified refurbishing program that has been successfully implemented at the Stillwater Correctional Facility. Twenty-four students between the ages of 17 and 21 worked on MCFS’ computer recycling program under the supervision of a GAP instructor. Students dismantle non-useful computers and sort components by material type to be recycled. Students rotate to different stations to learn the complete spectrum of activities: troubleshooting, maintaining, updating, and repairing PCs, and Microsoft Office Suite® programs and system testing.

Recycling In MindMinnesota Computers for Schools turns potential waste into educational opportunity. Many businesses want to donate their used computer equipment to schools, but schools are ill-equipped to accept these donations. Schools do not have the resources or staff to scrub hard drives, handle hazardous waste, upgrade components, install and test new operating systems, and recycle unusable materials. Direct donations also come without a warranty or any tech support. Minnesota Computers for Schools acts as a value-added intermediary to assure secure and safe handling of used equipment. The result is high-quality, low-cost, warranted technology for schools and educational nonprofits.

STEM Education Initiatives Minnesota Computers for Schools provides high school science teachers with computers, software and training for interactive science education. Minnesota Computers for Schools’ refurbished computers come with a three-year warranty and Atomsmith® software – a unique interactive science program that brings molecular science concepts to life. Atomsmith allows students to see the shapes and behaviors of molecules and to interact with them, shedding light on topics such as atomic structure, chemical bonding, gas laws and phases of matter. Atomsmith chemistry simulation labs enable teachers to make their instruction more clear, powerful and engaging, thereby improving students’ comprehension and retention of the subject.

Minnesota Computers for Schools furthers Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning by supporting FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics and Lego League teams with laptops required to run FIRST-supplied software programs. Minnesota Computers for Schools is also launch-ing “Computers to Classrooms” in partnership with the Minnesota High Tech Association to award grant dollars and needed technology to a STEM educator who demonstrates innovation and leadership in the classroom.

RECYCLING BY THE NUMBERS257,677 LBS

LOW GRADE BOARDS

HIGH GRADE BOARDS

CRTs

WIRES

METAL

PLASTIC

STRETCH WRAP

CD & FLOPPY DRIVES

HARD DRIVES

MOTORS

ALUMINUM

COPPER

BATTERIES

RUBBER/STEEL RODS

IRON FERRITE

SCREWS

TRANSFORMERS

EQUIPMENT DONORSAdvisionAll Saints Catholic ChurchAllen Business EnterprisesAtwater Cosmos Grove City Public SchoolsAugsburg CollegeBeacon ComputerBest PrepBlue Cross/Blue ShieldBluffview Montessori SchoolCity of BloomingtonCity of RosemountCity of WoodburyCommunity School of ExcellenceConcordia Creative Learning AcademyConsolidated LumberEnova Medical TechnologiesEnquar, Inc.Face to Face Health and Counseling Service, Inc.Federal Bureau of InvestigationFederal Highway DOTFirst ImpressionsForest Lake ISD 831General Dynamics Information SystemsGirl ScoutsGNW Machine Inc.Great River EnergyHarbor City International SchoolHennepin CountyHubert H. Humphrey Job Corps CenterHerman-Norcross Community School DistrictHoly Trinity High SchoolIn Touch, Inc.Industrial EquitiesJames Kroesch & AssociatesJubilee Christian SchoolLearning for Leadership Charter SchoolMarshall SchoolMary, Queen of Peace Catholic SchoolMetro School for the DeafMilestone AVMinnesota Children’s MuseumMinnesota Department of Natural ResourcesMinnesota High Tech AssociationMinnesota Public RadioMinnesota Recovery ConnectionMinnesota Department of CorrectionsMTS Systems CorporationNational GuardNeighborhood HouseOdyssey AcademyOrtonville Public School District Pace AnalyticalReyHan CorporationRice Memorial HospitalSalem Lutheran Church/SchoolScales AdvertisingSherlocksSouth St. Paul SchoolsSt. Alphonsus Parish SchoolSt. Bernard's Catholic SchoolSt. Charles Bormeo School

St. Charles Public SchoolSt. Mary's Jr./Sr. High SchoolSt. OdiliaSt. Paul Area Chamber of CommerceSt. Paul City SchoolSt. Peter ClaverThe Cultural Wellness CenterThree Rivers Park DistrictTNT ComputersTransfiguration Catholic SchoolTravelers FoundationUnited States Department of LaborUnited States Secret ServiceUrban Academy Charter SchoolUnited States Department of Agriculture/ITSVertebral TechnologiesVoyageurs Expeditionary High SchoolWells FargoWhite Bear GlassWhite Bear TownshipWillard Network Technologies, LLC

CONTRIBUTORS3M FoundationBonnie VagaskkyBoyum & Barenscheer LLPBremer BankBrian LandwehrCH Robinson Worldwide FoundationCSI-SlatherDave SchefflerDavid DohertyEcolab FoundationEMC CorporationFirst Evangelical Lutheran ChurchFred C. & Katherine B. Andersen FoundationJames AfdahlJane ShallowJanette WalcerJill KollingJ.K. GleasonJohn DuValKate AndrewsKate RichardsKathy SaltzmanKim MeekKimberly SebestaLinda DohertyMary MehsikomerMedtronic FoundationMelinda BrobeckMinnesota High Tech AssociationMinnesota State Colleges & UniversitiesOppenheimer Wolff and Donnelly LLPPhoenix Service CorporationQwestRita AlbertScott MoenScott PetersonSteve DessTravelersUlineValerie TrudeauVelma Kimsal

Pilot Program Minnesota Computers for Schools piloted its recycling and refurbishing training program to at-risk youth at the Guadalupe Alternative Program School (GAP). This program serves students who have not been successful in traditional school settings. The goal is to train students on computer refurbishing skills, using the Microsoft®-certified refurbishing program that has been successfully implemented at the Stillwater Correctional Facility. Twenty-four students between the ages of 17 and 21 worked on MCFS’ computer recycling program under the supervision of a GAP instructor. Students dismantle non-useful computers and sort components by material type to be recycled. Students rotate to different stations to learn the complete spectrum of activities: troubleshooting, maintaining, updating, and repairing PCs, and Microsoft Office Suite® programs and system testing.

Any discrepancies in this report are unintentional and should be reported to Minnesota Computers for Schools for correction in future reports. Minnesota Computers for Schools wants to emphasize that all gifts to the organization, large or small, are vitally important and deeply appreciated.

p l e a s e c o n s i d e r D O N A T I N G For more information, please contact: Minnesota Computers for Schools 651.779.2816

Visit us at www.mncfs.org

STAFFTamara Gillard, Executive Director

Brian Beaupre, Production & Tech Support

Manager/Webmaster

Jim Christiansen, Sales and Marketing Manager

Chris Dopkins, Business Manager

Dave Kanipes, Intake Manager

Jim Thirsten, Inventory Manager

Tom Tieman, Production Manager

Gary Urban, Director of Operations and Customer

Service

Board of DirectorsSteven Willems, Chair

Steven Bartholet, Vice Chair

Dave Scheffler, Secretary

Kate Andrews, Treasurer

Directors

Steve Dess

Bruce Lindberg

Barbara K. Mednick

Kim Meek

Mary Mehsikomer

Scott Moen

Tracy Morgan

Kate Richards

Eric Vercauteren