If you are like me, you take owning a computer and accessing the internet for granted. My computer delivers breaking news, allows me to work from home, enables me to connect with family, make medical appointments and track test results, find recipes based on the ingredients in my refrigerator, shop for the best deals, research options and book reservations, stay fit with daily online workouts and so much more.
You may be surprised to learn that more than 20 million Americans still lack a computer at home. Are they ignoring the huge advantages of convenient technology? Of course not. For low-income families, the barrier isn’t desire—it’s affordability and accessibility. Digital exclusion is a structural barrier that keeps families from advancing.
- Kids can’t complete school assignments, leading to lower GPAs and graduation rates.
- Teens and adults don’t have access to online job applications and workforce training.
- Seniors can’t take advantage of telehealth appointments.
- Families have less opportunities to engage in civic and community life.
Digital inequity isn’t being effectively addressed by government programs or foundation grants either. Less than 2% of philanthropic dollars nationwide are directed to digital inclusion. In May 2025, the federal Digital Equity Act administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration was abruptly cancelled affecting programs across 20 states.
But there is a solution. Digital equity offers extraordinary ROI for donors. Individual donors empower transformational changes.
Digital equity is a multiplier. Investments create cascading benefits across multiple sectors:
- Education: Students with home computers score higher on standardized tests and graduate at higher rates.
- Economy & Workforce: Adults with digital skills earn up to 40% higher wages than those without.
- Health: Telehealth increases access to care for families who lack transportation or flexible work hours.
- Environment: Refurbishing donated technology reduces e-waste, fights climate damage, and extends the life of valuable resources.
- Community Resilience: From emergency information to remote work to virtual learning, digital access is now essential community infrastructure.
This is why donors who support digital inclusion are not just giving tools, they are strengthening the entire ecosystem of a family’s life.
C2K: A Proven Model Donors Can Trust
C2K’s national leadership is built on efficiency, sustainability, and measurable impact:
- Collecting and fully refurbishing used computers – over 30,000 a year
- Diverting Ewaste from landfills – over 12 million pounds since 2004
- Providing affordable computer systems, including software starting at $100
- Offering pathways to well-paying IT careers through workforce development
Every donated dollar and every contributed computer make a dent in digital inequity. By giving to C2K, you directly fuel a family’s future and invest in generational change.
Guest Blogger: Yvette Herrera, Chief Philanthropy Officer, C2K