Our Mission
The ConnectED Schools and Communities Foundation exists to connect schools, students, and communities with the tools, technology, and support they need to thrive.
We focus on bridging digital and opportunity gaps by building connected classrooms, community learning hubs, and resilient infrastructure that empowers the next generation of learners.
Our priority is to repurpose surplus refurbished equipment to minimize and prevent electronic waste.
Project Overview
As part of our ongoing sustainability initiative, our organization has established partnerships with businesses and institutions that donate surplus computer equipment which remains fully functional and suitable for continued use. Rather than allowing such equipment to be discarded or stored unused, we refurbish and redeploy it to reduce electronic waste and expand access to technology in underserved communities.
Our objective is to redeploy this equipment to educational institutions and communities with limited technological resources. This extends its useful life, promotes environmental sustainability, and reduces disparities in digital access.
The ConnectED Schools and Communities Foundation supplies, installs, and delivers computer equipment and training free of charge to organizations that require technological resources. We initially offered free refurbished equipment to underserved schools and communities within the United States. We are actively seeking partner organizations in the US and worldwide. Through this expanded effort, we identified regions with urgent needs for educational technology, including our first deployment locations in Mexico, where elementary and middle schools currently lack sufficient computer resources for students.
Watch Our Progress
See how our teams build these spaces from the ground up.
Watch more on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@cescfoundation
Inaugural Schools First Look
A glimpse of the first connected classrooms coming online.
Our First Project Deployment
We selected four elementary schools within the municipality of Coeneo, Michoacan, Mexico, as the focus of a pilot deployment that will serve as a model for future expansion and replication in similar communities.
These are the first connected classrooms and community spaces. These images will expand as more schools come online.
First connected lab powered on. Five Dell workstations, monitors, and a room full of first logins.
Second school in the cluster being wired and imaged, extending access for more students and families.
Community lab configuration with shared workstations and open hours for parents and grandparents.
Expanded cluster node with additional devices and local mentors supporting students after school.
More photos and full resolution images will be available soon in our Field Notes and project pages.
Expansion and Future Deployments
Following the success of our initial deployment, we aim to continue partnering with local elementary schools and replicate the program established at the first four sites. Our long term goal is reaching every elementary school in the region.
Each school receives a fully equipped connected classroom with:
- Five refurbished Dell workstations with monitors
- Secure networking, routing, and switching equipment
- Bilingual learning environment and classroom software
- A standardized, maintainable image that can be replicated to more schools
On average, it costs about $5,000 US Dollars to fully equip one classroom:
- $2,500 for computers, monitors, and peripherals
- $1,500 for networking, cabling, and power
- $1,000 for logistics, setup, and training
Our first corporate sponsor has committed $10,000 to seed the initial schools. Our next goal is to fund additional classrooms so we can bring more students into safe, connected learning spaces.
Donate
Your support helps us bring connected learning environments, technology access, and community programs to schools and communities that need them most. Every contribution moves a real school closer to being online.
- $25 to $100 covers classroom supplies and local support.
- $250 helps equip a student workstation.
- $1,000 supports teacher technology and training.
- $5,000 sponsors a full classroom.
- $10,000 helps fund two classrooms in a community.
We are also able to receive individual, corporate, and foundation gifts directly. Please contact:
- Email: donate@cescfoundation.org
- For corporate and foundation giving: partners@cescfoundation.org
Programs
Our programs are designed to be practical, scalable, and community driven. Initial focus areas include:
- Connected Classrooms: Infrastructure, devices, and secure connectivity for learners and educators.
- Community Learning Labs: Shared spaces where shared workstations and open hours connect the community.
- Teacher and Student Enablement: Hands-on support, training, and tools to help educators and students use technology effectively.
- Resilient Infrastructure: Sustainable, maintainable technology foundations for schools and communities.
For program inquiries or collaboration, email info@cescfoundation.org.
Partners
We believe long term impact happens when schools, community organizations, public sector partners, and private sponsors work together. We welcome partnerships with:
- Schools and districts.
- Nonprofits and community organizations.
- Technology and infrastructure providers.
- Corporate and philanthropic sponsors.
If you are interested in partnering with the ConnectED Schools and Communities Foundation, please contact us at partners@cescfoundation.org.
Contact
For general questions, media inquiries, or to explore how you or your organization can get involved, please reach out:
- General: info@cescfoundation.org
- Partnerships: partners@cescfoundation.org
- Donations: donate@cescfoundation.org
We will respond as soon as we can and look forward to connecting.
Gratitude
This work is only possible because of a long chain of people who quietly keep showing up.
Special thanks to Hugo, James, Andrew, and everyone that has spent late nights hammering away on keyboards stitching together plans, cables, configs, and code so that kids, parents, and Abuelas can open a browser and see a bigger world.
Every network drop, every refurbished computer, and every line of code is a small act of faith in the future.