What is Computers for Schools (CFS)?
Who administers CFS for the federal government?
What is the objective of CFS?
What is the goal of CFS?
What are the key benefits of CFS?
Where can I obtain a donation form?
Can I submit a form over the Internet?
What type of equipment do you accept?
Can an organization that already donates its computers directly to schools participate in the CFS program?
Can I obtain a tax receipt for the computer equipment that I donate to CFS?
How can a school obtain an application form?
After I apply for computers, when will they be delivered?
Does my school/school board have to pay for hardware or software received from CFS?
What if my school/school board receives a computer from CFS and it doesn’t work?
How can I contact you?

1. What is Computers for Schools (CFS)?
Computers for Schools (CFS) is a federal government-led initiative that collects, repairs and refurbishes donated surplus computers from government and private sector sources and distribute them to Canada’s schools, libraries and not-for-profit learning organizations.

2. Who administers CFS for the federal government?
Computers for Schools is administered by Industry Canada in collaboration with other federal departments, provinces and territories and the private, not-for-profit and volunteer sectors.

3. What is the objective of CFS?
CFS helps Canadian students gain greater access to computer technology so that they can develop the skills needed to thrive in a knowledge-based economy. 

4. What is the goal of CFS?
CFS has delivered more than 750 000 computers to schools, libraries, and not-for-profit learning organizations throughout Canada.   

5. What are the key benefits of CFS?
• Placing more computers into classrooms means that Canadian students get more hands-on opportunities to learn about computers and new technology, to develop new skills, and to learn how to make better use of the Internet.
• CFS completely refurbishes donated equipment by replacing parts, wiping the hard drives, installing operating systems and basic software, and thoroughly cleaning and repackaging each unit for distribution to schools, libraries and not-for-profit learning organizations anywhere in Canada.
• CFS plays an important role in meeting the objectives of the government’s Youth Employment Strategy by employing in its network of computer repair centres technical program graduates, co-op students, youth interns, students, youths at risk, contract technicians, labourers, and people with physical and/or mental disabilities, as well as using the services of hundreds of volunteers.
• CFS also provides environmental benefits by ensuring that computer systems are reused and recycled so that they do not end up in landfill sites. Non-working systems are stripped of all functional parts that are then used to repair other systems. Floppy disks containing older or unusable software are wiped and used to distribute diagnostic patches and fixes.

6. Where can I obtain a donation form?
Call CFS 1-888-636-9899 or you can find the form on our web site here.

7. Can I submit a form over the Internet?
Yes! You can find the form on our web site here.

8. What type of equipment do you accept?
In order to minimize the time needed for refurbishment and get the computers to the schools, libraries and not-for-profit learning organizations faster, CFS can only accept donated equipment in good working order. CFS accepts IBM-compatible computers of the Pentium III level or better, and Macintosh computers at the Power PC level or better. Schools and libraries are asking for Pentium III class or equivalent equipment as this is the level of technology required to handle the education software used in the classroom or for effective connection to the Internet. Accessories such as working colour monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, modems, scanners, digital cameras and CD-ROM drives are also required. Any application software donations should include all related diskettes or compact discs, applicable manuals and the original product license agreements. If the program was pre-installed, the software manuals and end-user license agreements should accompany the donation. CFS ensures that the hard drive is electronically wiped of all information and that the exterior surfaces of the equipment are cleaned of dust and dirt.

<12. After I apply for comuters, when will they be delivered?
The delivery time for hardware and software depends on the availability of volunteers and the support of the community. Involvement of the school board can speed-up the arrival of computers. Applicants should consult their provincial/territorial representative for details.

13. Does my school/school board have to pay for hardware or software received from CFS?
All hardware and software are provided without cost. A school may be asked to pay for the cost of upgrading the donated computers to meet their need. Warehousing and repair costs are absorbed by sponsors of the CFS program. However, there may be costs associated with transportation from the provincial or territorial repair centre. Your provincial/territorial representative will be able to provide more details.

14. What if my school/school board receives a computer from CFS and it doesn’t work?
While every effort is made to deliver working computers, shipment may create some difficulties. Should you receive a non-functioning unit, please contact your provincial/territorial representative

15. How can I contact you?
Call Computers for Schools from anywhere in Canada at 1-888-636-9899, or send us a fax us at (613) 957-1201. You can also find us on the Internet at: http://cfs-ope.ic.gc.ca 

Our Mailing Address is:
Industry Canada
Computers for Schools
155 Queen Street, 8th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A  0H5