Donate to our cause

Empowering
Our Communities

Working tirelessly
for their future.

Bridging the gap and empowering communities through sustainable technology solutions

Sponsor a Tech Hub

The E-Waste
Challenge

Empower Schools to
Compete, Learn, and Win.

Gamified lessons, real-time leaderboards, and rewards that inspire the next generation of changemakers.

Join the Challenge

DEF Tech
Hubs

Transform a space to
empower a Community.

Launch a fully equipped digital lab in a school or nonprofit—with refurbished devices, internet, and training. Your support creates real access and long-term opportunity.

Sponsor a Tech Hub

The Problem
We’re Solving

📉 According to the International Telecommunication Union, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Census Bureau:

  1. Roughly 78% of electronic waste is not recycled globally.
  2. Electronics account for up to 70% of the toxic heavy metals in U.S. landfills.
  3. Approximately 112,000 computers are discarded every day in the U.S. About 10% of U.S. households lack broadband internet or a connected device.
  4. Roughly 85,000 households across Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, Florida, do not have broadband internet access.
Partner With Us

this IS
our reality:

Nearly half of American workers lack basic digital skills.

Despite increasing interest in environmental topics, sustainability education remains supplemental in many schools.

Although students are often aware of e-waste issues, awareness alone is not enough. Research shows young consumers are not likely to recycle electronics unless they are provided with hands-on programs, clear policies, and behavioral incentives througheducation systems.

A UNIQUE MODEL THAT
TRANSFORMS COMMUNITIES

Through our unique impact model – powered by our strategic partner eSmart Recycling- we deliver devices, digital training, and tech access to the communities who need it most.

See How Our Model Works

Our Programs
Bridging the Divide

Our programs create digital opportunity and empower communities

DEF Tech Hubs

Turnkey digital labs installed in schools and nonprofits – equipped with refurbished devices, internet access, and digital skills training.

What sets them apart? Strategic partnerships. Companies can sponsor a hub, provide curriculum, and help scale our reach to more communities.

Sponsor a Hub

The E-Waste Challenge

A school-wide competition where students and teachers team up to recycle electronics, earn points, and unlock rewards, prizes, and experiences – turning sustainability into a shared learning experience.
📊 Real-time leaderboards to track progress
📚 Easy-to-use lesson plans for teachers
🏆 Prizes and experiences sponsored by engaged corporate partners

Explore the Challenge

Digital Literacy & Access

We ensure continued digital literacy and education by partnering with nonprofits to design and scale programs that create real digital opportunity. From infrastructure to rollout, we build together – because lasting impact comes from collaboration, not duplication.

Join the movement

Trusted by companies, schools, and changemakers who care about digital equity.

How you can help

We're a company

Sponsor hubs, donate devices, or build custom partnerships.

Join The Movement

I'm an individual

Donate a device or sponsor a student.

Donate Devices
Sponsor

Schools & Nonprofits

Apply to host a Tech Hub.

Apply Now

Join the movement
for digital opportunity.

Let's build digital Opportunity together

We’ll send stories of impact, program launchers, and ways you can make a difference
– straight to your inbox.

  • Device donation drives
  • New school partnerships
  • Sponsor opportunities

Every device makes a difference. Every story matters.
Be part of the next one.

NEWS, ARTICLES & MORE

Do your data disappear when recycling laptops in Tampa?

  • Blog
  • 01/07/2026

Laptop access across Tampa communities in 2025

  • Deployments
  • 12/31/2025

Giving students access through recycled laptops in Tampa

  • Deployments
  • 12/22/2025

How 47 veterans received laptops and digital support through a community effort

  • Deployments
  • 11/14/2025

We Opened a Tech Hub in South St. Pete

  • New tech hub
  • 06/03/2025
Opened in May 2025, our first Tech Hub in South St. Pete is bridging the digital gap with refurbished computers, high-speed internet, and free skills programs—giving the community tools to learn, work, and connect.

“Every story we tell is a chance to bring someone new into this movement.”

Dannet Leon

Marketing & Communications Manager

Storyteller. Strategist. Builder of bridges.

Dannet leads storytelling and strategic communication at DEF, where they connect mission to message across partnerships, campaigns, and digital platforms. With experience in purpose-driven marketing and social impact storytelling, they shape the narratives that help donors, sponsors, and community partners see themselves in the work of bridging the digital divide.
From crafting pitch decks and donor campaigns to amplifying student success stories, Dannet ensures the impact of DEF is seen, felt, and supported—online and off.
Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

Dannet Leon

Founder & CEO

Storyteller. Strategist. Builder of bridges.

Dannet leads storytelling and strategic communication at DEF, where they connect mission to message across partnerships, campaigns, and digital platforms. With experience in purpose-driven marketing and social impact storytelling, they shape the narratives that help donors, sponsors, and community partners see themselves in the work of bridging the digital divide.
From crafting pitch decks and donor campaigns to amplifying student success stories, Dannet ensures the impact of DEF is seen, felt, and supported—online and off.
Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

“Every story we tell is a chance to bring someone new into this movement.”

“When we connect families to technology, we connect them to possibility.”

Veatrice Farrell

Chief Community Officer

Equity strategist. Connector. Grant-getter.

Veatrice leads DEF’s community strategy, championing access to technology for historically excluded populations. In 2025, her leadership helped secure a $6.9M federal grant recommendation from the NTIA to expand digital literacy across St. Petersburg—one of only a few projects selected nationwide.
With a background in banking and over a decade of community revitalization experience as Executive Director of Deuces Live, she brings both strategic insight and grassroots credibility. Veatrice ensures every DEF program—whether a Tech Hub, device drive, or training series—is rooted in real community need. She also co-leads Hypatia Collaborative and serves on several local arts boards, furthering her commitment to equity and cultural empowerment.

Veatrice Farrell

Chief Community Officer

Equity strategist. Connector. Grant-getter.

Veatrice leads DEF’s community strategy, championing access to technology for historically excluded populations. In 2025, her leadership helped secure a $6.9M federal grant recommendation from the NTIA to expand digital literacy across St. Petersburg—one of only a few projects selected nationwide.Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

“When we connect families to technology, we connect them to possibility.”

“We’re not just recycling devices. We’re transforming futures.”

Tony Selvaggio

Founder & CEO

Entrepreneur. Recycler. Impact visionary.

Tony is a purpose-driven entrepreneur focused on environmental sustainability and digital inclusion. He launched eSmart Recycling in 2014 to give discarded electronics a second life—transforming them into opportunity for underserved communities. Under his leadership, the company evolved into a leading social enterprise, blending responsible e-waste recycling with device donations and education access.
Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

Tony Selvaggio

Founder & CEO

Entrepreneur. Recycler. Impact visionary.

Tony is a purpose-driven entrepreneur focused on environmental sustainability and digital inclusion. He launched eSmart Recycling in 2014 to give discarded electronics a second life—transforming them into opportunity for underserved communities. Under his leadership, the company evolved into a leading social enterprise, blending responsible e-waste recycling with device donations and education access.
Tony founded the Digital Education Foundation to scale that impact, designing turnkey programs that empower students, schools, and families through refurbished technology and digital literacy. His work is driven by a core belief: technology is more than a tool—it’s a lifeline to education, employment, and equity.

“We’re not just recycling devices. We’re transforming futures.”