Find Nonprofit Resources FAQ

Microsoft offers many resources to nonprofits including software donations, discounted software, cash grants, and training. We also hold events such as conferences and webinars, to help nonprofits better use technology and discuss how technology can help improve their organizations.

Microsoft gives software donations primarily through our Software Donation partnership with TechSoup Global. Visit our eligibility page and apply now. You can also download many software solutions for free online.

See our full list of free software.

Yes, Microsoft offers many free software programs that are available for download online. For a full list of the software that you can download instantly at no cost, use the “Free Software” filter on the Full Software List.

Visit the eligibility page. Nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations must hold recognized, charitable status as defined in their countries in order to be eligible for a software donation. Eligible organizations will operate on a not-for-profit basis and have a mission to benefit the local community that could include, but is not limited to:

• Providing relief to the poor
• Advancing education
• Improving social welfare
• Preserving culture
• Preserving or restoring the environment
• Promoting human rights
• Establishment of civil society

Public libraries are eligible for software donations for public access computers only.

Organizations that engage in discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination, and/or retirement based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, political affiliation, union membership, or veteran status, other than as allowed by law, are not eligible for software donations.

Eligibility for the Microsoft Software Donation program is very broadly defined and many organizations across various focus areas are entitled to the program benefits. That said, you won’t know for sure if you are eligible until you apply through your local TechSoup program or inquire with your local Microsoft Corporate Citizenship contact.

Organizations that do not meet the eligibility requirements for the Microsoft Software Donation Program are encouraged to explore our many software licensing options, including:

• Licensing Options for Governments
• Licensing Options for Educational Institutions
• Licensing Options for Health Organizations
• Licensing Options for Charitable Organizations (including Open License for Charities)
• Software Assurance for Volume Licensing
• Free Online Software

The Microsoft Software Donation program provides all eligible organizations up to ten software titles (up to 5 of which may be server products) and up to 50 user licenses per title group within a two-year period. Please check with your local TechSoup affiliate or Microsoft Corporate Citizenship manager for additional program details in your country.

Yes. Microsoft provides software donations in more than 100 countries through the TechSoup Global program and our local Corporate Citizenship managers. We continue to expand our program to include additional countries.

You can read more about the recent updates here.
(http://bit.ly/NPOlet)

TechSoup Global is a nonprofit organization that provides a range of technology services to the nonprofit community, including discounted and donated technology products, technology news, how-to articles, and discussion forums. TechSoup Global continues to expand its global presence through local nonprofit partners. Microsoft has worked in partnership with TechSoup to support their global expansion and make our technology donations more accessible to nonprofits everywhere.Learn more:

http://www.techsoup.org/microsoft/ (US only)

www.techsoupglobal.org/countries(International)

If there is no TechSoup Global partner in your country at this time, contact your local Microsoft Corporate Citizenship Office for more information on requesting a software donation.

Apply for a software grant through TechSoup

Windows operating systems are available as upgrade versions through the Microsoft Software Donation program, or as full versions through the Get Genuine offering, which enables nonprofit organizations to get donations of legal operating systems for use on existing computers with a mis-licensed or mis-versioned operating system. Full operating systems are also available on discounted hardware through a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher

For nonprofits and small independent media organizations in 12 countries with special circumstances, Microsoft provides limited, non-transferable, royalty-free licenses.

Microsoft will provide Unilateral Licenses in the following countries until January 1, 2013:

• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• China
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Malaysia
• Russia
• Tajikistan
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan
• Vietnam

Microsoft provides very limited cash grants as part of our Community Technology Skills program, which focuses on workforce development and employability in more than 100 countries worldwide. To learn more, go to the Cash Grants page

CTSP is a localized grant program that focuses on educating underserved communities to use basic computing skills to advance their economic well-being, including getting a job and starting a business. The program is delivered through nonprofits that operate Community Technology Learning Centers (CTLCs). If you would like to inquire about this program, please contact your local Corporate Citizenship manager.

Several support resources are available to nonprofit organizations. Microsoft also encourages you to work with a nonprofit partner whose mission is to serve other nonprofits in building organization and technology capacity.

Determining what kind of software fits your organization’s needs is very important. To learn how you can evaluate the current IT state of your nonprofit and plan for successful integration of IT into your organization, visit our IT Planning for Nonprofits page. You can also find other nonprofits similar to yours that have used IT solutions to meet their missions on our Get Inspired page. We also hold online webinars and conferences where you can learn about technology solutions that fit your needs. Visit the Events page to learn about upcoming events. You may also want to discuss your needs with an IT Professional before requesting a software donation so you can ensure you get what you need.

Microsoft offers many training and software support options for you to learn software skills. We also hold events with training components.

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