MAF Announces Phobio Device Drive at JNUC 2025

In a continued effort to promote sustainability and responsible technology recycling, the Mac Admins Foundation is proud to announce a device donation drive at JNUC 2025, in partnership with Phobio, a trusted leader in secure electronics recycling.

Mac Admins attending the Jamf Nation User Conference (JNUC) 2025 are invited to bring their gently used Macs, iPhones, and iPads to the Mac Admins Foundation booth on the expo floor, where devices will be safely and securely recycled. Whether it's an aging MacBook that’s no longer in use or an iPad that’s been sitting in a drawer, this is a chance to give old tech a new purpose—or at least a responsible end-of-life.

“Our community of admins is passionate about both technology and doing the right thing,” said Chris Dawe, Co-Chair of the Mac Admins Foundation “This initiative lets attendees clear out their old devices and know they’ll be handled securely and sustainably, while donations will benefit the foundation.”

How it works:

  • Bring your Macs, iPhones, and iPads ready for recycling to the Mac Admins Foundation booth during expo hours.

  • Make sure the devices are not subject to Activation Lock or enrolled in Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager

  • Devices will be collected by Phobio and processed according to industry-leading standards for data security and environmental safety.

  • All data is wiped securely, and hardware is either responsibly recycled or given a second life through Phobio

  • Mac Admins Foundation receives the fair value of the device as part of the recycling.

Whether you’re lightening your tech load or helping to reduce e-waste, this is a great way to be part of a cleaner, more sustainable future—right from the heart of the Mac admin community.

Join us in making JNUC 2025 not just a celebration of innovation, but a commitment to sustainability.

The Mac Admins Foundation announces departure of Becky Scott

Becky Scott joined the board as part of its second cohort of appointees, bringing extensive knowledge of community management and engagement to her role.

During her tenure, Becky led the board's efforts to structure the working relationship between community admins and the board, maintaining an unwavering commitment to a community-first approach. She worked diligently to ensure that community values and voices were heard and represented in all board decisions.

Becky also spearheaded our community communications initiatives, building out our newsletter and developing other community outreach materials that continue to serve our members today.

The board thanks Becky for her service to the board and for her contributions to the community.

For more information about the Mac Admins Foundation and its board of directors, contact Erin Merchant.


Mac Admins Foundation Awards Final 2025 Conference Grants for MacSysAdmin

The Mac Admins Foundation is thrilled to announce the award of our final 2025 Community and Conference Grants for MacSysAdmin. After careful review of all applications, the Foundation has selected two outstanding recipients to attend the MacSysAdmin 2025 Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Congratulations to our 2025 Grant Recipients:

  • Alan West

  • Deelan Sabido

All awardees have been notified via email and will receive registration for the MacSysAdmin 2025 Conference in Gothenburg (30 September - 3 October, 2025) plus $2,500 USD towards travel and accommodation expenses.

We are incredibly excited to welcome these talented individuals to Gothenburg and look forward to the fresh perspectives and enthusiasm they will bring to our community. The Foundation remains committed to fostering the development of new technical professionals and creating opportunities for those who might otherwise be unable to attend such events.

Thank you to everyone who applied for our grant programmes throughout 2025. We were impressed by the quality and passion demonstrated in all applications across our various initiatives this year. As we close out our 2025 grant cycle, we're already looking forward to expanding our support for the Mac Admins community in 2026 with new opportunities and programmes.

For questions about the Community and Conference Grant programme, please contact us at scholarships@macadmins.org or reach out via #macadminsfoundation

Mac Admins Foundation Partners with Phobio for Device Recycling Program

Mac Admins can now donate their old devices to support the Foundation and save the planet at the same time

The Mac Admins Foundation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and connecting the global community of Apple IT professionals, is proud to announce the launch of its new Device Recycling Program through a unique partnership with Phobio. This initiative allows members to donate their used cellphones, tablets, and laptops, turning yesterday’s tech into financial support for the Foundation’s programs — while keeping electronics out of landfills.

Through the program, donated devices will be responsibly refurbished or recycled in partnership with Phobio. The proceeds generated from the resale or recycling of these devices will go directly toward funding the Foundation’s educational resources, community events, and grants for professional development.

“We know our members care about both the community and the planet,” said Chris Dawe, Co-Chair of the Mac Admins Foundation. “This program offers a way to clear out unused devices in a way that’s environmentally responsible — and directly supports the work we do for Mac Admins everywhere.”

The Mac Admins Foundation encourages individuals, organizations, and schools to participate. Whether it’s a well-loved MacBook, an outdated iPad, or a drawer full of old iPhones, every donation makes a difference. All personal data will be securely erased before resale or recycling.

How to Donate:

  • Visit our recycling site to request a free shipping label for your device.

  • Package your devices securely and send them to Phobio, knowing they’ll either get a second life, or recycled responsibly.

  • Feel good knowing you’ve supported the Mac Admins community and the environment.

For more information about the Device Recycling Program or to make a donation, please visit our recycling site or contact giving@macadmins.org for more information..

About Phobio

Phobio unlocks value from used technology for businesses and consumers extending the usable life of consumer electronics. Since 2010, their simple and secure device buyback solutions have powered trade-in programs for the world's largest retailers, and consistently earned the highest customer satisfaction scores in the industry. And now Phobio for Good is empowering nonprofits to connect with a new generation of supporters through used tech donation. Learn more at phobio.com

“We’ve spent over a decade building world-class trade-in systems.  Now we’re giving that technology to nonprofit organizations for free.”

Stephen Wakeling, Phobio Founder and CEO

About Mac Admins Foundation

The Mac Admins Foundation is a US-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving the global community of people who manage Apple devices at large and small scales. Originally founded to take over fiscal responsibility for the Mac Admins Slack, the Foundation now focuses on fostering community, preserving collected knowledge, and developing a skilled workforce with the ultimate goal of creating a kinder, more humane world for IT professionals. For more information, visit macadmins.org.

Mac Admins Foundation Announces the 2025 Community and Conference Grant for MacSysAdmin 20th Anniversary

The Mac Admins Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 grant supporting attendance at the MacSysAdmin Conference 20th Anniversary in Göteborg, Sweden. The Community and Conference Grant aims to broaden the experience of deserving individuals with the intent to foster their development as part of the next generation of technical professionals.

The 2025 MacSysAdmin Conference grant will provide recipients with:

  • Registration for the MacSysAdmin Conference 20th Anniversary in Göteborg, Sweden, scheduled for September 30th-October 3rd, 2025

  • $2,500 (USD) to cover applicable expenses including travel and accommodation

The Mac Admins Foundation intends this grant to be awarded to those with financial need or who may otherwise lack the means or opportunity to attend an event of this caliber. Grant program applicants should self-identify with one or more of the following criteria:

  • You are early in, or starting, your career in technology

  • You have not previously been able to attend an event or conference of this type

  • You are currently unable to self-fund, or secure institutional funding for event attendance

The Community and Conference Grant does not require formal submission of work or financial credentials. The Foundation designed the program to support individuals who are passionate about advancing their technical skills and knowledge and who would benefit from the opportunity to connect with experts and leaders in the field.

To apply, interested candidates must submit an application that includes responses to several questions related to their experience and goals in the technical field. Applications will be reviewed by the grant committee, who will evaluate each response based on factors such as relevance, depth, clarity, specificity, and originality.

We encourage all interested individuals to apply for this grant and to share this opportunity with others who may benefit. The deadline for applications is 5pm PST on Friday, August 22, 2025, and successful applicants will be notified on or about Thursday, August 28, 2025.

Please contact the Mac Admins Foundation at scholarships@macadmins.org or #macadminsfoundation with any questions.