Talk:Truck Grant Proposal

notes

• Free Geek is financially solvent, only uses foundations to seed new programs
• Beef up history section, include why to go to free Geek (rather than elsewhere), why we are cool
• Don't include staff hours in $$ calculation, include more real things like Gas money, box graphics, repair, indicate how truck will be self sustaining.
• De-wordify clarity, order of questions.
  • competition from ewast bill
• The Plan idea - (killer app)
  1. business pickups -(quality of stock)
  2. Neighborhood pickup - (community service)
  3. Setting orgs (e.g., schools) up with computers - class room labs (great outreach)
  • increased revenue from bringing raw goods to recyclers (revenue)
  1. ewast, tvs (ability to handle new, pertinent problem..shows we know "what time it is, yo")
• Operating Expenses for Truck
  • Insurance
  • cost per mile (includes gas, maint)
• NOTE: Convert to bullet points to cut down on words.

Project Goals & Outcomes

What is the need for this project? What are its goals? What steps will be taken to implement the project? What will be different as a result of the project? Who will be served? (Limit: 600 words)

Free Geek was founded with the intent of rerouting older technology from the landfills and placing it into the hands of those who cannot afford state of the art technology. Since its inception in 2000 Free Geek has protected the Portland community from hundreds of tons of electronic waste leeching into our drinking water and has connected thousands of individuals to access to technology and the internet. The service that Free Geek provides is dramatically limited by the availability of only one location to drop off old electronics and to earn a free computer.

In any given week, Free Geek receives an average of six requests for pickup service. Certain trends have emerged from these requests. Individuals frequently face the barrier of living outside of the immediate location of Free Geek; they live in a far corner of the city or in the neighboring suburbs. The individual may possess certain disabilities that prohibit him or her from carrying the cumbersome equipment long distances. Pickup requests from large businesses are largely due to a copious amount of equipment that cannot be delivered to Free Geek without hiring a moving company. Due to these inconveniences, such businesses and individuals will end up merely discarding these items in a non-environmentally responsible fashion.

With the acquisition of a boxtruck Free Geek can increase its positive impact on the community in three significant ways.

1. "Drop Off" events in neighborhoods throughout Portland and the surrounding suburbs will provide a convenient way for residents to responsibly recycle their electronic waste.
2. Pickup service for large businesses which utilize an abundance of computer equipment for their numerous employees. Such businesses upgrade their equipment on such a frequent cycle that the equipment may be only a year or two old. Consequently, this newer equipment enables Free Geek to increase the quality of the computers we give away.
3. Transport computer equipment to community centers and schools, provide offsite classes & set up computer lab

Free Geek has been unable to partner with various school groups for computer education because school funding for extracurricular activities – especially transportation for these activities – is non-existent. While Free Geek can currently provide offsite opportunities for volunteering, we have been unable to provide transportation of the computer and peripherals as well as an introductory class on how to use their new computer. With the influx of newer, higher quality computers from large businesses, Free Geek will not only be able to simply pass on high quality computers to economically marginalized school districts, but also to deliver them and empower students by teaching them how to use their computers.

Essentially, with the acquisition of a boxtruck Free Geek seeks to amplify diversion of electronic waste from landfills by providing a convenient pickup service for commercial and residential populations while simultaneously increasing the rate of computer reuse to underserved communities. Free Geek plans to acquire the truck and necessary insurance, create staff training, and implement pre-existing plans for neighborhood drop off events and computer delivery service.