The David and Jane Richards Family Foundation

What The David and Jane Richards Family Foundation does

The David and Jane Richards Family Foundation (DJRFF) is a UK-registered charitable foundation (Charity Number 1177725) established in 2017 and headquartered in Sheffield, operating three core programmes that target the education and welfare of children. The flagship Laptops for All campaign — rebranded from Laptops for Kids in 2020 — collects donated laptops and tablets, refurbishes them using Blancco's certified secure data erasure (recognised by 15+ governing bodies), and distributes the devices free of charge to schools, charities, and digitally excluded individuals across Yorkshire and the wider UK. Since 2020, the campaign has sourced approximately 15,000 devices and has received corporate grants including a £400,000 donation from AESSEAL, £40,000 from Irwin Mitchell, and 200 laptops from Sheffield Hallam University. Distribution is coordinated through Learn Sheffield and a network of charity partners including Age UK, The Food Works, and SCCCC.

The foundation's second programme, Get Creative with Data, is a free Key Stage 3 Computer Science syllabus launched in Sheffield in 2019 covering data science, machine learning, IoT and project-based learning; it has been adopted by 69 UK schools and colleges and downloaded internationally in Spain, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and the United States. The third programme, Beehives for Schools (launched 2018), places bee colonies in five Sheffield schools with training from a dedicated Head Beekeeper. In 2022 the foundation launched a free-internet-access pilot at the Dryden council estate in Sheffield, intended as a blueprint for UK-wide digital poverty intervention.

DJRFF operates as a non-revenue-generating charity funded entirely by donations and in-kind contributions, with one-time laptop sponsorship priced at £60 per device. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on corporate donations, earned media coverage (Wired, BBC, Channel 4, Yorkshire Post, The Star), and a partnership with Vodafone's Charities Connected scheme that bundles 20GB of data plus unlimited calls and texts for six months with each device. Headcount is approximately 2-5 employees (project management, coordination, beekeeping advisor) plus an intern via the Hallam Internship Scheme, making the foundation a lean operating model dependent on its partner ecosystem for distribution, technical standards and supply.

Name

The David and Jane Richards Family Foundation

Legal name

The David and Jane Richards Family Foundation

Website

https://djrff.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The David and Jane Richards Family Foundation is a UK-registered charity (No. 1177725) that refurbishes donated laptops for schools and digitally excluded families, distributes a free Computer Science syllabus, and runs a school beekeeping programme, operating entirely on donations from Sheffield.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable foundation services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (61171), Child and Youth Services (624110)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Foundational Computer & Device Literacy (EDAAAIAA)

Keywords

• Charitable foundation
• Digital inclusion
• Device refurbishment
• Computer science education
• School programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Sheffield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: DJRFF operates as a registered charity (Number 1177725) funded entirely through donations from individuals, businesses, and corporate partners. Donations include device sponsorships at £60 per laptop, direct device donations, and cash contributions. No revenue-generating products or services are sold.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The David and Jane Richards Family Foundation (DJRFF) is a UK registered charity that addresses digital poverty by collecting donated laptops and tablets, securely erasing and refurbishing them, and distributing the devices free of charge to digitally excluded children, families, and adults. It also delivers two education programmes for schools: a free Key Stage 3 computer science syllabus (Get Creative with Data) covering data science, machine learning, IoT and AI, and a hands-on beekeeping initiative (Beehives for Schools).

Product overview

The David and Jane Richards Family Foundation operates three core educational programmes: (1) Laptops for All - a device donation and refurbishment initiative that provides free laptops to digitally excluded individuals and families; (2) Get Creative with Data - a free Computer Science syllabus for Key Stage 3 exploring data science, machine learning, AI, and IoT through project-based learning; and (3) Beehives for Schools - a hands-on beekeeping education programme that teaches pupils about ecology, environmental science, and colony management. The foundation focuses on educating, empowering, and improving the lives of children through technology and outdoor learning experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Laptops for All: Campaign to provide free laptops and internet access to disadvantaged individuals and families, originally launched as 'Laptops for Kids' in 2020.
• Get Creative with Data
• Beehives for Schools

Products and services

• Laptops for All A charitable device-refurbishment initiative that collects donated laptops and tablets, securely erases data through a Blancco partnership, refurbishes the hardware, and distributes devices free of charge to digitally excluded children, families, schools, and partner charities.
• Get Creative with Data A free Computer Science syllabus for Key Stage 3 students that teaches data science, machine learning, AI, and IoT through hands-on, project-based learning activities. Materials are offered globally via the foundation website and educational partnerships.
• Beehives for Schools A hands-on school beekeeping programme that supplies bee colonies, equipment, training, and ongoing support so that pupils can engage in colony inspections, forage planting, and honey extraction while learning about ecology and environmental science.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000 devices sourced and distributed since 2020 launch
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Learn SheffieldcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2020Learn Sheffield works with DJRFF to identify young people in need and coordinate distribution of devices to schools across Sheffield. Schools contact Learn Sheffield to discuss laptop requirements and overall needs.
• Age UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working with DJRFF to identify digitally excluded individuals who would benefit from a laptop to access learning opportunities and essential online services.
• The Food WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working with DJRFF to identify those most in need of devices across Sheffield.
• Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner charity (SCCCC) helps identify digitally excluded individuals including vulnerable pensioners through their Good Neighbour friendly visiting scheme.
• BlanccocoreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal data security company donating erasure licenses to securely wipe all data from donated laptops. Blancco is the leading provider of data erasure software with certifications from 15+ governing bodies worldwide.
• WANdisco Data AcademycoreTechnology or IntegrationThe WANdisco Data Academy at The Sheffield College securely erases devices using Blancco licenses donated to the campaign.
• Dell TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDell Technologies joined as a national partner and supplier for Laptops for Kids, enabling the campaign to source additional laptops to meet regional demand.
• Vodafone's Charities ConnectedcoreTechnology or IntegrationVodafone's scheme provides Pay as You Go SIMs with 20GB data plus unlimited calls and texts each month for six months at no charge to help recipients connect to the internet.
• Skills Builder PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDJRFF is a member of the Skills Builder Partnership, supporting schools to recognize and promote eight essential skills (Listening, Speaking, Problem Solving, Creativity, Staying Positive, Aiming High, Leadership, Teamwork).
• Gatsby BenchmarksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDJRFF uses Gatsby Benchmarks to develop and shape educational resources, ensuring children are equipped with essential skills and vocational experiences.
• TecSec Services LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIT and risk management specialist offering their office as a drop-off point for device donations and erasing data prior to devices being allocated to schools.
• Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDJRFF participated in Open Farm Sunday organized by the Trust, running beekeeping activities at Our Cow Molly dairy farm.
• University of Sheffield Beekeeping SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDJRFF collaborated with BeeSoc for National Honey Month content, discussing beekeeping, protecting pollinators, and honey.
• The Star (Newspaper)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Star newspaper partnered with DJRFF co-founder David Richards to launch the Laptops for Kids campaign, providing media coverage and raising awareness.
• Astrea Academy TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrust adopted the Get Creative with Data syllabus at four secondary schools in South Yorkshire in 2019 and received 70 microcomputers from DJRFF.
• University of LoughboroughminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative PhD studentship researching how DJRFF's interventions can break down barriers to participation in computing.
• Lancaster UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDJRFF borrowed the Beespoon exhibit from Lancaster University's Telling the Bees project for school visits.
• CloudWedgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCloudWedge featured DJRFF co-founder David Richards as 'Geek of the Week', highlighting his work and the foundation's mission.
• Wired MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWired magazine featured the Laptops for Kids campaign, highlighting how businesses in Sheffield are donating old tech for use by school pupils.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Computer Aid International: UK-registered charity that refurbishes donated computers and distributes them to schools and communities in the UK and developing countries. Most directly comparable to DJRFF's Laptops for All programme in operating model and beneficiary focus.
• The Turing Trust: Scottish charity that refurbishes redundant UK computers and ships them to schools in Malawi, alongside digital-literacy curriculum. Comparable to DJRFF on the device-refurbishment-plus-curriculum bundle.
• AbilityNet: UK charity helping disabled people use digital technology. Overlaps with DJRFF on digital inclusion for vulnerable populations, though focused on accessibility rather than device supply.
• Good Things Foundation: UK digital inclusion charity running the National Databank and Learn My Way digital literacy programme. Directly comparable in mission (closing the digital divide) and operates a national network similar in concept to DJRFF's school/charity partner model.
• Refurb IT: UK-based IT refurbishment provider that supplies refurbished devices to education and third-sector clients. Comparable supply-chain function to DJRFF's Blancco + TecSec device-processing pipeline.

Emerging players

• Digital Poverty Alliance: UK coalition convened to end digital poverty, working through corporate and policy partnerships. Comparable in advocacy and convening role; competes for national-funder attention and policy partnership mindshare.

Broad incumbents

• Teach First: Major UK education charity focused on tackling educational disadvantage. Comparable only thematically on the 'improving outcomes for disadvantaged children' mission; much larger and more institutional.
• London Grid for Learning: Large UK educational technology organisation providing connectivity, devices, and safeguarding to London schools. Operates at significantly greater scale than DJRFF on school-facing digital inclusion services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DJRichardsFF
• Facebookfacebook.com/djrff
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/djrff

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The David and Jane Richards Family Foundation