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COMPUTERS FOR CHILDREN INC
BUFFALO, NY · EIN 161535203 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B80 · Education · Medium ($1M-$10M) · missionignite.org
revenue
$1.4M
expenses
$1.5M
net assets
$717K
employees
43
program ratio
89%
mission · from form 990

COMPUTERS FOR CHILDREN ENHANCES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ENRICHES LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Computers For Children Inc, operating as Mission: Ignite, enhances educational opportunities by expanding access to technology and digital literacy training in Western New York. The organization refurbishes and distributes computers to students and underserved communities, while offering low-cost repair services and tech training programs. It partners with schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to bridge the digital divide and support lifelong learning and workforce development.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Computer Refurbishment and Distribution
Reconditions donated corporate computers and distributes them to schools, nonprofits, and individuals in need; has distributed nearly 40,000 computers since 1997
Computer Repair Services
Offers affordable repair, tune-ups, virus removal, data transfer, and OS installation services to the public; no assessment fee and 30-day warranty on all repairs
Digital Literacy Training for Nonprofit Partners
Provides customized digital skills training solutions to community organizations across New York State to enhance their service delivery capacity
Tech360
Teaches basic- and intermediate-level computer skills through one-on-one digital navigation sessions and small-group classes; focuses on helping individuals improve tech proficiency for school, work, and daily life
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Digital Literacy Training and Technology Access 5 activities
    • Computer Repair Services
      Provides computer repair and maintenance services including troubleshooting, virus removal, PC tune-ups, operating system installation, data transfer, and advanced diagnostics at fixed-rate pricing starting at $29, with a 30-day warranty and no-questions-asked follow-up support.
    • Digital Literacy Training and Tech Support
      Provides digital literacy instruction through Tech360 classes and one-on-one digital navigation sessions, including pre-registration support. Offers free training and tech support services at the Buffalo office with both appointment and walk-in availability to bridge the digital divide in Western New York.
    • Distribution of Refurbished Computers
      Distributes free or low-cost refurbished computers and accessories to volunteers, nonprofits, community organizations, students, and families in need. The organization has distributed nearly 40,000 computers to schools and programs in Western New York, including through targeted initiatives like a collaborative giveaway of 100 laptops and backpacks and a partnership with Mission: Ignite to support college-bound students.
    • Electronic Waste Recycling and Data Destruction
      Implements a strict data destruction process for all received devices and recycles non-reusable electronic components in accordance with high ethical and environmental standards.
    • Refurbished Computer Sales
      Offers refurbished computers and accessories for sale to parents, students, and the broader community at affordable prices through an online store and other channels, with pricing starting at $49.
  • Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
    • Capacity Building Through AmeriCorps Partnerships
      Supports the missions of other nonprofits in education, workforce development, health, and related sectors by deploying AmeriCorps members through partnership programs.
  • Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
    • IT and STEM Internship Programs
      Operates work-based IT internships for students and STEM teacher internships for future educators, including a Buffalo Internship Program that builds technical and employability skills. Interns receive free computers and stipends through AmeriCorps funding.
  • Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
    • STEM Education Infrastructure Development
      Installs computer learning labs in schools across Western New York and operates STEM programs focused on underserved populations to enhance education and workforce development opportunities.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.36M
Contributions & grants$1.24M91%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$21K2%
Other revenue$98K
expenses
Total expenses$1.47M
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$1.05M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$894K
Cash$431K
Investments$0
Liabilities$177K
Net assets$717K
Liquid reserves3.5 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -2.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
CHRISTINE CARR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (NON-VO 40 $94K
JAMES WARNER TREASURER/CFO 10 $24K
board members · 11
  • ANN SEYBOLDT — PAST PRESIDENT (NON-VOTING
  • BEHAI LIGAS — BOARD MEMBER
  • BRENDAN S LILLIS — PRESIDENT
  • DALAR BANSAL — BOARD MEMBER
  • GABRIEL BIALKOWSKI — BOARD MEMBER
  • JAMEL C PERKINS — BOARD MEMBER
  • JEFF WILKINSON — SECRETARY
  • NICK GIANADDA — BOARD MEMBER
  • SANJAY GULATI — BOARD MEMBER
  • STEVEN HEIST — BOARD MEMBER
  • TRISH WIEST — VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 16

Who they work with

  • AT&T Partner — Partnered with Mission: Ignite to provide laptops, funding, and support for digital literacy programs.
  • AmeriCorps Funder — Provides funding for participant stipends in the internship programs.
  • AmeriCorps Partner — Provides members who support Mission: Ignite's digital literacy and technology access programs in Western New York.
  • Buffalo Bills Foundation Partner — Partnered with COMPUTERS FOR CHILDREN INC for the Give 716 2024 fundraising drive.
  • Buffalo Bills Foundation Partner — Partnered with Give 716, an event hosted by the Buffalo Bills Foundation and Buffalo Sabres Foundation, to support nonprofits in Western New York
  • Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Partner — Collaborated with Mission: Ignite to distribute laptops to entrepreneurs and youth in the Buffalo community.
  • Buffalo Sabres Foundation Partner — Partnered with COMPUTERS FOR CHILDREN INC for the Give 716 2024 fundraising drive.
  • Buffalo Sabres Foundation Partner — Partnered with Give 716, an event hosted by the Buffalo Bills Foundation and Buffalo Sabres Foundation, to support nonprofits in Western New York
  • Buffalo Urban League Partner — Collaborated with Mission: Ignite to distribute laptops and address the digital divide in Buffalo.
  • Intersect Buffalo Partner — Partnered with Mission: Ignite to distribute laptops to entrepreneurs and youth through its IC Success Program.
  • Michael Kuebrich Partner — Account Manager for the computer repair department
  • Mission: Ignite Partner — Partner organization providing computers and repair services for students transitioning to college.
  • NYS Commission on National and Community Service Government — State agency that communicated the elimination of the AmeriCorps program to Mission: Ignite.
  • NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Partnered for providing information on ethical e-waste recycling options.
  • Say Yes to Education – Buffalo Partner — Longstanding nonprofit partner that provides educational support and services.
  • community-based organizations Partner — Partners with community-based organizations throughout Western New York and New York State to deliver digital skills training services.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Technology Reuse for Community Impact
    methodology: technology_reuse_and_refurbishment
    By refurbishing and redistributing donated technology, we extend device lifecycles and support underserved individuals and organizations, because sustainable reuse reduces digital inequity while promoting environmental responsibility.
  • Technology-Access-Plus-Training Model
    methodology: technology-access-plus-training
    By combining access to refurbished computers with digital literacy training, we enable individuals to pursue education, employment, and essential services, because access alone is insufficient without the skills to use the technology effectively.
  • Work-Based Skills Development
    methodology: work-based_learning
    By integrating hands-on internship experiences with technical education, we prepare students for high-demand STEM careers, because experiential learning builds both foundational technical and employability skills more effectively than classroom instruction alone.