Computers for Schools NL
Computers for Schools NL (PIERRE) is a Newfoundland and Labrador registered charity that refurbishes donated computers and distributes them free to schools, libraries, nonprofits, and Indigenous communities, while selling upgraded systems at cost recovery.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersConception Bay South, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Computers for Schools NL does
Computers for Schools NL (CFS-NL), operating under the legal name Provincial Information Equipment Recycling and Refurbishing Enterprises Inc. (PIERRE), is a registered charity and non-profit corporation based in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador. Founded in 1993 by Telecom Pioneers volunteers and incorporated in 1999, the organization refurbishes computers donated by government, private business, and individuals for redistribution to schools, libraries, registered not-for-profit learning organizations, and Indigenous/Aboriginal communities across Newfoundland and Labrador (and to Indigenous communities nationally). Its core technology is a computer refurbishment and logistics workflow, including a secure data destruction pipeline built around a 12-bay Aleratec Secure wiping system implementing NIST 800-88 accepted techniques, with non-functional drives physically destroyed via a PD-4 Destroyer and routed to EPRA for recycling.
CFS-NL distributes free basic computer packages (Windows 11, Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft Office, 1-year depot warranty) to eligible recipients, and sells upgraded systems — the S300 Desktop and S400 Laptop/Surface Pro at $125 each, and 19-inch-plus LCD monitors at $25 — to schools and school boards with valid purchase orders. Revenue mechanics combine Industry Canada annual contribution agreements (core operational funding), corporate and community support from Bell Aliant, the Department of Education, NLESD, NLTA, and others, individual cash donations through CanadaHelps.org, and cost-recovery hardware sales. To date, CFS-NL has distributed nearly 50,000 computers (3,000+ in 2016 alone), delivered over 155,000 hours of technical training to roughly 200 young students since 1999, and diverted more than 2 million pounds of electronic waste from provincial landfills since 2005.
The organization is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors representing NLTA, Bell Aliant Pioneers, Government of NL, NLPL, Stewart McKelvey, EPRA, and NL Schools, and operates from a single depot in Conception Bay South with a mailing address in St. John's. Its GTM is essentially product-led and self-serve: eligible recipients apply online via the CFS-NL website, with phone and email support available in both English and French (the latter via a national 1-800 hotline). Strategic position rests on regulatory charity status, institutional ecosystem support, and cost-recovery pricing rather than commercial revenue growth.
Computers for Schools NL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Computers for Schools NL
- Legal name
- Provincial Information Equipment Recycling and Refurbishing Enterprises Inc.
- Website
- https://computersforschoolsnl.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Computers for Schools NL (PIERRE) is a Newfoundland and Labrador registered charity that refurbishes donated computers and distributes them free to schools, libraries, nonprofits, and Indigenous communities, while selling upgraded systems at cost recovery.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Computers for Schools NL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Computer Refurbishment and Redistribution Services
- NAICS
- Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (81121), Computer Training (61142)
- SIC
- Computer & Office Equipment (3570), Electronic Computers (3571)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electronics Refurbishment, Repair & Reuse (Remarketing/Resale) (BPALAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Consumer Electronics Recycling (TVs, AV, Small Electronics) (BPALAIAH), Certified Refurbished Electronics Retail (CRACAJAD), Consumer E-waste Collection & Take-Back Programs (EUAIAIAA)
Keywords
Where Computers for Schools NL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Conception Bay South
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Computers for Schools NL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Industry Canada provides core funding through annual contribution agreements to support basic operational costs.
- Corporate and Community Support: Receives extensive support from Aliant Pioneers, Department of Education, Bell Aliant, Newfoundland and Labrador English School District, and other public and private corporate entities.
- Cash Donations: Accepts cash donations through CanadaHelps.org as a registered charity.
- Upgraded Computer Sales: Sells upgraded computers to schools and school boards at cost recovery prices ($125 for desktops/laptops, $25 for monitors) to recover upgrade material costs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | One time/ perpetual license | Basic computer packages (free) |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Upgraded Desktop - S300 ($125) |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Upgraded Laptop/Surface Pro - S400 ($125) |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | LCD Monitors ($25) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Computers for Schools NL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Computers for Schools NL (CFS-NL) refurbishes computers donated by government, private businesses, and individuals and redistributes them at no cost to eligible schools, libraries, registered not-for-profit learning organizations, and Aboriginal communities across Canada. It also offers upgraded refurbished S300 desktops, S400 laptops/Surface Pros, and LCD monitors to schools and school boards at cost-recovery prices, supported by a secure NIST 800-88 compliant data destruction process, youth training programs, and certified downstream e-waste recycling.
Product overview
CFS-NL operates as a computer refurbishment and redistribution program offering free basic computer packages to eligible schools, libraries, not-for-profit organizations, and Indigenous communities across Canada. The product portfolio includes three named computer product lines (S300 Desktop, S400 Laptop/Surface Pro) and LCD monitors, all refurbished from donated equipment. Free basic packages are provided at no cost to eligible recipients, while upgraded systems (S300, S400, LCD Monitors) are available for purchase at $125.00 and $25.00 respectively to schools and school boards with a valid purchase order. All systems come bundled with Windows 11 64-bit, Microsoft Security Essentials, and Microsoft Office, and include a 1-year parts and labour depot warranty.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Basic Computer Package Free refurbished computer package distributed to eligible schools, libraries, not-for-profit learning organizations, and Indigenous communities across Canada, including Windows 11 64-bit, Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft Office, and a 1-year parts and labour depot warranty.
- S300 Desktop Refurbished desktop computer sold at $125 to schools and school boards, featuring an 8th generation or better Intel i5-i7 processor, Windows 11, 16 GB DDR3 memory, 240+ GB SSD, keyboard, and mouse, with a 1-year parts and labour depot warranty.
- S400 Laptop or Surface Pro Refurbished laptop or Surface Pro sold at $125 to schools and school boards, featuring an 8th generation or better Intel i5-i7 processor and Windows 11, with a 1-year parts and labour depot warranty.
- LCD Monitor 19-inch or larger refurbished LCD monitor sold at $25 to schools and school boards as a cost-recovery add-on to refurbished computer packages.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 50,000 computers distributed to schools, non-profits, and libraries in NL since inception
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Computers for Schools NL
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Computers for Schools NL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Computers for Schools NL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Aliant PioneerscoreOriginal volunteers providing all labour and logistical support when the program began in 1993. Continues to provide extensive support.
- Department of Education (Newfoundland and Labrador)coreGovernment department providing support to the program alongside Industry Canada.
- Bell AliantcoreTelecommunications company providing extensive corporate support to CFS-NL.
- Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD)coreMain school district partner receiving and distributing computers to schools across the province.
- Environment Canada Certified Recyclers (Ontario and Quebec)minorCertified e-waste recyclers in Ontario and Quebec that process unusable equipment. Over 2 million pounds of electronic waste disposed since 2005.
- EPRA (Electronic Products Recycling Association)minorEPRA handles recycling of crushed hard drives from the secure data destruction process.
- Telecom PioneerscoreOriginal volunteer organization that started the program in 1993, providing initial labour and logistical support.
- Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association (NLTA)coreRepresented on CFS-NL Board of Directors. Chair George Tucker serves from NLTA.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Computers for Schools NL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ReBoot Canada: Canadian non-profit that refurbishes donated computers and provides low-cost technology to schools, non-profits, Indigenous communities, and low-income individuals — a near-identical operating model to CFS-NL.
- Free Geek: US-based non-profit that refurbishes donated computers for redistribution to schools, nonprofits, and low-income individuals while also providing technology training and e-waste recycling, mirroring CFS-NL's combined mission.
- PCs for People: Non-profit that distributes refurbished computers and low-cost internet to low-income individuals, schools, and nonprofits. Operates a similar refurbishment-and-redistribution model with a strong digital-inclusion focus.
- Computers for Success Canada: The national umbrella program of which CFS-NL is an affiliate. Operates the same model of refurbishing donated computers and redistributing to schools, libraries, nonprofits, and Indigenous communities, making it the closest functional peer.
Broad incumbents
- TechSoup Global: Global non-profit that facilitates technology donations and refurbishment for the social sector, including NGOs, schools, and libraries. Comparable mission of channeling refurbished IT to underserved communities, though it operates at a much larger scale.
- Sims Lifecycle Services: Global ITAD provider handling secure data destruction, refurbishment, and recycling of enterprise IT assets. Comparable secure data-destruction and refurbishment capabilities, with overlap on NIST 800-88 sanitization.
- Electronic Recyclers International (ERI): Large-scale US IT asset disposition (ITAD) and e-waste recycling company. Comparable downstream e-waste processing capability that CFS-NL relies on through partners, but operates as a commercial recycler.
- Goodwill Industries (electronics programs): Operates Reconnect (with Dell) and other electronics-recycling/refurbishment programs in North America. Overlaps with CFS-NL's combination of social-impact mission, workforce training, and computer reuse.
Emerging players
- Cascade Asset Management: ITAD company offering certified data destruction, refurbishment, and remarketing of used IT equipment. Comparable secure data wiping and remarketing services to schools, nonprofits, and enterprise clients.
Others
- Dell Reconnect: Free consumer-facing recycling program run in partnership with Goodwill. Provides an upstream donation channel that competes with CFS-NL's intake model and represents a potential supply or partnership counterparty.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Computers for Schools NL social profiles
Digital presenceComputers for Schools NL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Computers for Schools NL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Computers for Schools NL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Computers for Schools NL M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Computers for Schools NL
What does Computers for Schools NL do?
Computers for Schools NL (CFS-NL) refurbishes computers donated by government, private businesses, and individuals and redistributes them at no cost to eligible schools, libraries, registered not-for-profit learning organizations, and Aboriginal communities across Canada. It also offers upgraded refurbished S300 desktops, S400 laptops/Surface Pros, and LCD monitors to schools and school boards at cost-recovery prices, supported by a secure NIST 800-88 compliant data destruction process, youth training programs, and certified downstream e-waste recycling.
Is Computers for Schools NL a public or private company?
Computers for Schools NL is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Computers for Schools NL founded?
Computers for Schools NL was founded in 1993. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Computers for Schools NL based?
Computers for Schools NL is headquartered in Conception Bay South, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Computers for Schools NL make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are corporate and Community Support, cash Donations and upgraded Computer Sales.
Who are Computers for Schools NL's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ReBoot Canada, Free Geek, PCs for People and Computers for Success Canada. Broad incumbents are TechSoup Global, Sims Lifecycle Services, Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) and Goodwill Industries (electronics programs). Cascade Asset Management is listed as an emerging player. Dell Reconnect is listed as an others.
Does Computers for Schools NL have an API?
No public API is recorded for Computers for Schools NL.
What industry is Computers for Schools NL in?
Computers for Schools NL's product category is Computer Refurbishment and Redistribution Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALAIAD, Electronics Refurbishment, Repair & Reuse (Remarketing/Resale), with a secondary code of BPALAIAH, Consumer Electronics Recycling (TVs, AV, Small Electronics). Its NAICS code is 81121 and its SIC code is 3570.