Annual Report

2024

Greetings, Human-I-T’ers!

As we step into 2025, I can’t help but reflect on how far we’ve come. Looking back at 2024, it’s clear—it wasn’t just a year of progress; it was a year of record-breaking impact. We set bold goals, not as challenges, but as opportunities to set ourselves apart, to show the world what’s possible when a team like ours is driven by purpose and passion. And we delivered.

2024 was a year of milestones. Our Programs Team led more events and distributed more free laptops and devices than ever before outside of 2020’s pandemic, strengthening our role as the leader in Digital Equity. Our Operations and IT teams redesigned how we inventory, refurbish, and redistribute technology, setting new standards for efficiency and security in ITAD. –And while doing all of this, we stayed true to our mission, by diverting 4 million pounds of e-waste from landfills and officially crossing the 20 million pound milestone since we all started this journey together.

Yes, we broke records in 2024, but 2025 will be our most ambitious and innovative year yet. We’re not just keeping pace with change—we’re driving it. We’ve adapted internally, creating a virtual workspace with Gather to enhance collaboration and efficiency. We’ve embraced AI—not just to work smarter, but to ensure those we serve aren’t left behind in the next wave of digital transformation. The Digital Divide is evolving, and so must we. AI will define the future of opportunity, and if we don’t prepare people now, the gap will only widen. That’s not an option. Which is  why we’re rolling out Hugh, an AI-driven tool developed by our AI Team to help recipients understand and harness AI for their personal goals while protecting themselves from its potential risks. This is what we do best. We are able to see what’s ahead, act  and make sure no one ever gets left behind.

In 2025, we’re making sure everyone knows the name Human-I-T. Through targeted communications and public relations, we will no longer be the best-kept secret in social enterprise. Every business, every city, every household looking for an easy way to reduce e-waste while doing good should know that all roads lead to Human-I-T. We’ll share our mission through national media, across the nonprofit, tech, digital equity, and environmental sectors. – in doing so, we’ll expand our corporate sponsor base, and  create even more opportunities for impact.

Last year, we committed to executing 100% of our grants with excellence—and we did. Now, we’re poised to elevate our ITAD, technology refurbishment, and digital inclusion services to new heights. To everyone who has supported our mission, worked alongside us, or been part of our story—thank you. At Human-I-T, we move fast, think big, and innovate boldly. 

We  know that flexibility breeds stability, diverse perspectives drive creativity, and collaboration fuels execution. This is what defines us, and sets us apart. It  is also what will define our future, and I couldn’t be more proud to achieve it together. 

Warmest regards,

Gabe Middleton
CEO, Human-I-T

Our Mission

Human-I-T is a social enterprise that bridges the digital divide by connecting people and whole communities with essential technology and digital resources. We transform e-waste into nationwide opportunities, empowering both businesses and individuals to create positive environmental and social impact.

2024 Impact by the Numbers

Each metric represents a critical component of our mission: access to devices, connectivity, skills, and support—all while protecting our environment through sustainable technology solutions.

37

Computers distributed

to people in need nationwide

4

Pounds of e-waste

diverted from landfills

7

People connected

to high-speed internet

4

Digital literacy users

trained with the knowledge to unlock their full potential

4

Tech Support tickets

resolved

Our Lifetime Impact

Since our founding, Human-I-T has created lasting change across communities and environments:

523

Technology items distributed of all time

15.1

Pounds of e-waste diverted from landfills

110

Households connected to the internet

11.5

Digital literacy learners supported

30

Tech support tickets resolved

Operational Excellence

People powering progress: When business meets community need

Our Business Development and Operations teams shattered records in 2024. They stand apart in the industry through their distinctly human approach to corporate technology solutions. While competitors offer automated systems, we provide each donor with a dedicated Business Development Executive who builds a relationship that spans from initial consultation through impact reporting and beyond. This personalized service creates trust, streamlines processes, and ensures donations achieve maximum impact.

Behind this human-centered approach is impressive growth that translates directly into community opportunity. In 2024 the BizDev and Operations team:

This strategy delivered record-breaking results, with our teams processing 6,383 pallets of technology—representing 11% growth from 2023. Even during traditionally slower holiday periods, the team maintained momentum, processing over 600 pallets in December alone.

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re raising the bar even higher. With the introduction of a dedicated Customer Success team and ambitious goals for growth, we’re positioned to process 7,400 pallets – a 20% increase that will enable us to serve more communities than ever before. This expansion, coupled with our unwavering commitment to personalized service, will help us continue transforming corporate sustainability initiatives into real-world digital opportunity.

Learn more about Human-I-T's e-waste servicesLearn more about Human-I-T's e-waste services

Partners in Progress

Together for tomorrow
Growing our impact through partnerships

In 2024, our Philanthropy team revolutionized how we approach funding digital equity initiatives, transforming traditional grant-seeking into a powerful engine for community empowerment.

We also reached more communities than ever thanks to targeted collaborations.

New partnerships with organizations like these have helped us create even more pathways to digital opportunity for students, families, veterans, and seniors.

 All of our partners bring unique perspectives and deep community connections to our mission.

The impact of these efforts materialized in remarkable ways. We secured over $6 million in government grants from Wisconsin alone, while maintaining strong corporate collaborations, including our continued partnership with AT&T. These achievements enabled us to distribute 37,000 computers across North America, each representing a family, student, or individual gaining access to life-changing technology.

Case Study: Expanding Reach with AT&T’s Continued Commitment

AT&T strengthened their partnership with Human-I-T in 2024. With their help, we were able to support an additional 8,400 individuals with computers through 10 distribution events nationwide. Their $5.4 million contribution builds upon their previous $6.1 million investment in late 2023, which provided 15,300 devices at 14 distribution events.

Their continued trust in our work has enabled us to expand our reach from Oregon to Georgia to California, providing not just computers but comprehensive digital navigation services and technical support to communities in need. This strategic relationship provides vital momentum as we work to create sustainable pathways to digital equity across more communities.

 

Learn more about Human-I-T's corporate sponsorship opportunitiesLearn more about Human-I-T's corporate sponsorship opportunities

Beyond the numbers, 2024 marked a fundamental shift in how we approach digital equity funding. Our team pioneered a new model of partnership, offering grant-writing expertise to community organizations that might otherwise lack resources to pursue digital equity funding. This approach helped underserved communities compete for vital resources while ensuring programs are designed with local needs in mind.

Philanthropic Highlights

Our advocacy efforts gained even more strength as we engaged with federal legislators and state broadband offices, positioning Human-I-T as a leading voice in digital equity policy. 

Looking ahead, the groundwork laid in 2024 positions us to expand our impact exponentially. With 58 additional funding applications in review and strengthened partnerships across the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors, we’re building a sustainable framework for digital equity that will benefit communities for years to come.

Building Stronger Communities

Detroit's Digital Empowerment Center sparks transformation through community connection.

In the heart of Detroit’s historic Seven Mile neighborhood, our Digital Empowerment Center evolved beyond a retail space in 2024. In year two of this innovative space, the DEC emerged as a dynamic community hub where technology, opportunity, and local culture intersect.

See how the community used our space

Through strategic partnerships with organizations like Detroit Housing Network, we created welcoming spaces where community members access not only devices and internet connectivity, but comprehensive support for housing, healthcare, and professional development. 

Visitors receive personalized help completing online housing applications, navigating housing counselor portals, accessing telehealth services, and connecting to government assistance programs. The Center hosts resource fairs combining technology access with professional development workshops, resume assistance, and creative opportunities like our artistic showcases.

Our approach recognizes that digital literacy paired with practical support creates pathways to essential services many residents couldn’t otherwise access.

 

Thanks to Human-I-T, all of our students were able receive laptops to participate in our STEAM enrichment program. More than half of them didn’t have access to a personal laptop at home, making schoolwork a real challenge. Now they can complete their assignments more efficiently and stay on track academically. What’s even more amazing is that  their parents were able to get digital resources during the event helping beyond just our experiments.”

– Richard, Human-I-T Team S.T.E.A.M

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re expanding our vision for the Center as a catalyst for community transformation. Our ambitious goal of serving 800-1,000 visitors monthly will be supported by innovative programming like our speaker series, which brings industry leaders directly to community members. These connections create pathways to opportunity, especially for those traditionally excluded from tech spaces.

Through partnerships with local businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations, we’re building an ecosystem where digital equity drives economic opportunity and community resilience. Each connection made at the Center represents another step toward our vision of technology access as a bridge to opportunity.

Join us at the Digital Empowerment Center

The Human Impact of Human-I-T

Real stories of Digital Access Changing Lives

Diverting Tech Together

586 pounds of technology diverted from landfills in just one afternoon? Watch the video to see how we did it.

Connections Creating Change

Hear how impactful an internet connection (or being without one) can be, straight from the mouth of a future lawyer.

 

Forging New Paths

Eric’s full-time job as a forklift driver isn’t stopping him from studying and exploring his passions with a new computer.

These Organizations Were Critical to Us Building Bridges in Communities Across the Country

In 2024, Human-I-T collaborated with a diverse range of organizations to tackle the digital divide by providing technology directly to communities in need. These efforts have significantly expanded the reach and effectiveness of digital inclusion initiatives. The organizations listed below have played a crucial role in this mission, bringing Human-I-T into their digital inclusion programs to ensure that access to technology leads to real opportunities for those we serve. Together, we’ve made substantial progress towards a more digitally equitable society.

Our Monetary Donors

The key to promoting digital access

Principal Donors ($225K+)

AT&T $5,522,200.00 Foundation
Gilbert Family Foundation $1,008,400.00 Foundation
Methodist Health Ministries $631,000.00 Foundation
General Motors $500,020.00 Foundation
California Public Utilities Commission $484,460.25 Government
GitLab Foundation $300,000.00 Foundation
Visa, Inc $254,336.00 Corporate Sponsor

 

Major Donors ($10,001-$225K)

Cisco Foundation $200,000.00 Foundation
Comcast $142,500.00 Corporate Sponsor
Monterey Peninsula Foundation $112,500.00 Foundation
TD Synnex $100,000.00 Foundation
MTE Fund $85,000.00 Foundation
Munzer Foundation $60,000.00 Foundation
Microsoft Corporation $50,000.00 Corporate Sponsor
William C. Bannerman Foundation $25,000.00 Foundation
Korean American Foundation $20,000.00 Foundation
Sheila Ortloff $20,000.00 Individual Donor
Venable Foundation $15,000.00 Foundation
Michael and Kim Wilkins $15,050.00 Individual Donor
Verizon Media $15,000.00 Corporate Sponsor
Accenture $12,500.00 Foundation
Fox Family KALB Foundation $50,000.00 Foundation
James Irvine Foundation $25,000.00 Foundation
Clif Family Foundation $25,000.00 Foundation
Dell Technologies $14,985.00 Foundation

Mid Donors ($1K-$10K)

Tides Foundation $10,000.00 Foundation
Cox Communications $10,000.00 Corporate Sponsor
Palo Alto Networks $10,000.00 Corporate Sponsor
Walter Kaitz Foundation $10,000.00 Foundation
Equinix Foundation $7,000.00 Foundation
eBay $6,500.00 Corporate Sponsor
BigCommerce $5,000.00 Corporate Sponsor
Evalyn M. Bauer Foundation $5,000.00 Foundation
American First National Bank $3,500.00 Foundation
Computer Clan $1,792.00 Individual Donor
Alex J $1,000.00 Individual Donor

Minor Donors ($1-$999)

Joshua R $600.00 Individual Donor
Kari Ortloff-Evernden $500.00 Individual Donor
Kara Torpey $300.00 Individual Donor
Kristine Neidig $250.00 Individual Donor
Vicki Scherwin $200.00 Individual Donor
Amelia Gray $150.00 Individual Donor
David Jackson $100.00 Individual Donor
Afzal Amiri $100.00 Individual Donor
Melinda Buchmann $100.00 Individual Donor
Thrivent Grants $84.00 Foundation
John Schaffer $55.00 Individual Donor
TisBest Philanthropy $50.00 Foundation
Ashley Brown $50.00 Individual Donor
Michael Jones $50.00 Individual Donor
Dan and Susan Harris $50.00 Individual Donor
Lea Eriksen $45.00 Individual Donor
Kikei Wong $30.00 Individual Donor
Cork and Charm $27.26 Corporate Sponsor
Edgar Morales $25.00 Individual Donor
Adam Hasz $25.00 Individual Donor
Kathryn Kirchner $25.00 Individual Donor
Hope Gillis $25.00 Individual Donor
Tudor-Cristian Teoteoi $20.00 individual Donor
Brett Grasich $15.00 Individual Donor
Vladimir Chuvok $15.00 individual Donor
Andrea Knoert $10.00 individual Donor

Financials

2023-2024

Disclosure Statement: Financial statements depicted are from internally generated reports, have not yet been audited, and may be adjusted before Human-I-T’s financial audit is produced. Audited statements are available upon request.

Transform Tech into Opportunity

Every donation to Human-I-T transforms e-waste into opportunity and bridges the digital divide for underserved communities. Your contribution helps us provide low-cost devices, affordable internet, digital literacy training, and tech support to those who need it most.
Whether you choose to donate $5 or $5K (or anything in between!), every dollar fuels our mission to create a more connected, equitable, and sustainable future.

Ready to make digital equity real for someone? Donate today.

Change lives. Donate here.Change lives. Donate here.

Empower people. Protect the Earth. 

Empower people. Protect the Earth. 

Empower people. Protect the Earth. 

Empower people. Protect the Earth. 

Empower people. Protect the Earth. 

Empower people. Protect the Earth.