KRAMDEN INSTITUTE INC
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Kramden's mission is to bridge the digital divide. The digital divide is the growing gap that exists between those who have broadband internet connectivity, computing technology and the skills to use both versus those who do not.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Kramden Tech Scholars
The Kramden Tech Scholars provides refurbished desktop computers to students in grades K-12 who do not have access to a working home computer.
Technology Access Program
Kramden Institute offers the following services for eligible applicants:
Low-cost refurbished computers: $50 desktops and $100 laptops
90-day warranty with all computers
All computers come with Windows 10 installed
Tech Equipment Partner
As part of Kramden’s efforts to help our community, we offer affordable, heavily-discounted computer equipment to other, local non-profits, schools, churches and other institutions.
Digital Literacy Education
Kramden expanded its programs in 2014 to offer educational programs to members of the community who lack basic computing skills. Since that time, over 7,500 people have completed one of our adult computer classes, taken part in our STEM after-school programs, or enrolled in one of our technology camps, and workshops, fulfilling a crucial community need in an increasingly connected world.
Where we work
External reviews

Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of participants attending course/session/workshop
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults, Seniors
Related Program
Digital Literacy Education
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Total individuals who have completed one of our in-person or online adult computer classes, taken part in our STEM after-school programs, or enrolled in one of our technology camps, and workshops.
Number of volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Adults
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Total number of volunteers annually. *Numbers in 2020-2021 significantly declined due to COVID-19 precautions.
Number of products distributed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults, Seniors
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Total number of computers distributed annually.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Kramden Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the technology tools and training necessary for students, families, and communities to bridge the digital divide.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We harness the resources of the local community to collect computers that are no longer in use. We bring together thousands of volunteers to refurbish computers. We pull from the expertise of our staff and volunteers to develop educational programs that will enable all of the students and families we serve to achieve digital literacy. We partner with schools and municipalities across North Carolina and beyond to reach those most in need.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have 15 years of experience refurbishing and awarding computers to hardworking students. Our volunteers, approximately 1,500 a year, bring a broad range experience to our operations. Over the past decade, we have partnered with educators, community organizations, and businesses across the state to collect donated hardware and to identify students for our programs. Our newsletter reaches thousands of individuals, families, and companies, raising awareness of issues surrounding access to technology and digital literacy skills.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Since our founding in 2003, Kramden has awarded more than 43,000 computers to students who did not have access to one before. We have hosted more than 11,000 volunteers. We held over 125 events in 2019, including volunteer days, recycling drives, and award days, and recycled 320,000 pounds of e-waste. In September 2014, we launched our Digital Literacy and Education programs, taking our expertise to the community in the form of free computer basics classes and afterschool programs for students on a variety of computer-related STEM topics.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
KRAMDEN INSTITUTE INC
Board of directorsas of 02/25/2022
Dr. Mark Dibner
BioAbility, LLC
Kurt Schmidt
Triangle Angel Investors
Richard Martin
Entegrion, Inc.
Derek Kelly
CenturyLink
Mark Dibner
Luis Hernandez
Lenovo
Robin Salvaggio
Fidelity
Tracy Sternberg
NC TECH
Mia Bailey
Charter Communications
Tom Dekle
IBM
John Wilson
MetLife
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 01/28/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.