By Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
On Friday, the NC TECH Association and the Kramden Institute hosted “Device Drive 2025”, a major technology donation event aimed at bridging North Carolina’s digital divide.
Held in Raleigh, the event welcomed individuals and businesses donating surplus digital devices such as laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones. With an easy drive-through setup, the event ensured a seamless and secure drop-off process for donors while giving new life to old equipment.
According to a 2023 report from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), at least 1.1 million households in North Carolina lack access to high-speed internet, cannot afford it, or do not possess the necessary digital skills to participate in today’s economy. The situation is especially severe in the eastern part of the state, in counties like Franklin, Nash, and Pitt, where broadband exists but at speeds below federal benchmarks. Meanwhile, counties such as Caswell, Orange, and Granville are classified as “unserved,” meaning many residents lack access to reliable internet at even the federal minimum standards.
These infrastructure challenges intersect with serious affordability and skills gaps as more than 400,000 households across the state still don’t have a desktop or laptop computer, and about one-third of North Carolinians lack foundational digital skills.
Compounding the problem is the recent end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal initiative that offered a $30 monthly internet subsidy for low-income households. The program, created during the COVID-19 pandemic with a $14.2 billion allocation, has expired. The FCC’s Lifeline Program remains but provides a much smaller monthly subsidy of $9.25 and applies only to households earning 135% or less of the federal poverty guideline—a significantly stricter requirement than the ACP (a household of four must earn $43,403 or less to qualify).
In the face of these challenges, Device Drive 2025 sought to provide tangible help. Donated devices will be refurbished by the expert team at Kramden Institute, a Durham based charitable nonprofit organization started in 2003 which has awarded more than 52,000 computers to families across North Carolina and has taught technology skills to more than 11,000 people of all ages. The Institute will also perform a Department of Defense-level (DOD) 3-pass wipe to ensure complete data security before the technology is redistributed to students, job seekers, and families in need.
“Access to technology is no longer optional — it’s essential for education, health care, workforce participation, and civic engagement,” said NCDIT Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Opportunity Annette Taylor. “Through Device Drive 2025, we’re turning unused computers into tools for opportunity for residents across the state.”
For those who could not attend on October 3, Kramden continues to accept donations year-round at its warehouse at 5010 Highway 55 in Durham.
“Every donated device represents a chance for a North Carolinian to apply for a job, complete an online class, or access telemedicine,” said Kramden Institute Executive Director Cyndy Yu-Robinson. “We’re proud to partner with NCDIT and NC TECH to continue expanding this crucial success to make digital opportunity a reality.”
The North Carolina Technology Association (NC TECH), a statewide, membership-driven organization that serves as the primary voice for North Carolina’s tech sector, has over 700 member companies employing more than 250,000 workers.
“Businesses upgrade technology all the time — this is an easy way to make a lasting impact on North Carolina’s digital future,” said NC TECH President and CEO Brooks Raiford. By mobilizing its extensive network, NC TECH hopes to see a major influx of donated equipment from corporations ready to make a difference.
NC TECH also supports the long-term digital future through the NC TECH Education Foundation, created in 1998 to fund scholarships and STEM education initiatives. One of its most impactful programs is the Betsy Y. Justus Founders Scholarship, which honors NC TECH’s founding CEO and her legacy as a woman in technology. Each year, the scholarship provides two female students with $4,000 in financial support and a Lenovo laptop, encouraging them to pursue studies and careers in technology or engineering.
Beyond the Device Drive, NC TECH also leads initiatives that support underrepresented groups in tech. Just last month, the organization hosted a women-only summit in Wilmington, featuring candid conversations with women tech leaders about navigating gender bias, advocating for change, and paving the way for the next generation of tech professionals.
