Free Geek

Last updated
Free Geek
Founded2000
FounderOso Martin
Type 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
FocusSustainable technology reuse, digital access and technology education.
Location
Area served
Portland Metro
Exec. Dir.
 Juan Manuel Muro, Jr.
Employees30-40
Volunteers2000+ active
Website freegeek.org

Free Geek is a technology related non-profit organization based in Portland, Oregon, launched on April 22, 2000. It started as a public event at Pioneer Courthouse Square. In September 2000, it opened a permanent facility as a drop off site for electronic waste. In January 2001, local newspaper The Oregonian ran an article advertising their free computer program for volunteers, which became so successful that they had to start a waiting list [1] . They currently have over 2,000 active volunteers per year. [2] [3]

Contents

Free software

Free Geek's refurbished computers run Linux Mint and other free and open-source software. The use of free software gives a wide range of software without the need to manage licenses or payment.

Free Geek was a joint winner of the first Chris Nicol FOSS Prize awarded by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) in 2007. [4]

History

As part of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company received between $350,000 and $1 million in federally backed small business loan from Columbia State Bank as part of the Paycheck Protection Program. The company stated it would allow them to retain 47 jobs. [5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Plug into Portland | Free Geek". www.freegeek.org. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  2. ↑ MacKinnon, Merry (March 2006). "Computer nerds, and proud of it". Lifestyles Northwest. Retrieved 2006-12-26.
  3. ↑ Forsyth, Pete [at Wikisource] (May 4, 2001). "Free software, older computers help group narrow digital divide"  . The Portland Tribune.
  4. ↑ "Free Geek has been keeping the needy nerdy for seven full years". APCNews. 16 October 2007.
  5. ↑ Syed, Moiz; Willis, Derek (7 July 2020). "FREE GEEK - Coronavirus Bailouts - ProPublica". ProPublica. Retrieved 8 July 2020.

45°30′37.27″N122°39′21.63″W / 45.5103528°N 122.6560083°W / 45.5103528; -122.6560083

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