Justice Management Division...Serving Justice - Securing Results

Who is eligible to receive equipment under Justice for Schools? Schools and educational nonprofit organizations. Schools are individual public or private education institutions encompassing pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, as well as public school districts. The Department of Justice attempts to give preference to schools and nonprofit organizations located in the Federal enterprise communities and empowerment zones (EZ/EC).

What is an "educational nonprofit?" An organization that has a current tax exempt certificate and identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service under section 501(c) of the United States Tax Code. The organization must also be owned or operated exclusively for educational or scientific purposes.

As a school, how do I make my needs known to the entire federal government? Schools and educational nonprofits may register their requirements on the General Services Administration's computers for learning website located at www.computers.fed.gov. Organizations without access to the internet may call the Computers for Learning Administrator at (202) 501-3846.

Can these computers be given to adult schools? No. The computers may only be used for the education of children in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.

What types of equipment are available? Under Executive Order 12999, the Department is authorized to transfer computers and peripheral equipment, such as printers, modems, routers, telecommunications equipment and servers.

What about software? The Department is able to provide software where the transfer of licenses is permitted.

Can the Department of Justice deliver equipment to a school? No, the Federal government may not pay for transportation of donated computer equipment. There are several private transportation organizations that may be contacted to see if they will provide free delivery services. Alternatively, a school may contract with private organizations or seek volunteers to pickup and deliver the equipment.

Who determines which schools get which equipment? The Department has issued guidelines for the prioritization of donations under Justice for Schools (please see "Procedures"). If two or more organizations are approximately at the same priority, the property disposal manager at the donating Department component will choose among the competing schools, taking into account 1) the quantity of equipment already donated to the school, 2) the intended use for the computers, and 3) the ability to remove the equipment in a timely manner, among other equity considerations.

What is an EZ/EC? Established by the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-66), empowerment zones and enterprise communities were designed to create self-sustaining, long-term economic development in areas of pervasive poverty and unemployment. You can learn more about EZ/EC program at www.ezec.gov.

Are churches eligible to receive computer equipment under Justice for Schools? Churches themselves are not eligible to receive equipment. However, if the church has a separately organized school that meets the criteria of a private school or an educational nonprofit, that school would be eligible to receive computer equipment.