Microsoft grants help you serve your community
Published: April 20, 2007
Your organization already makes a real difference in your community. And a Microsoft grant can help you do even more. Microsoft offers a variety of grants programs to eligible organizations that provide cash, software donations, and reduced licensing fees.
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Grants programs to help government nonprofit groups
Microsoft offers grants programs to help government nonprofits provide services to your community. Microsoft works with a group that specializes in distributing donated software to nonprofit groups. In this way, Microsoft can offer you a variety of software titles, tools, and technologies to help your organization. A Microsoft grants program provides resources to help you teach others the computing skills they need in today's workplace.
Microsoft software donations to organizations
Microsoft donates software to nonprofits through TechSoup—an agency that re-distributes donated software to eligible organizations. To be eligible, your group must be a U.S. nonprofit organization or a nonprofit school with valid 501(c)(3) status, or a Canadian charity with a Confirmation of Registration letter from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Eligible groups can order up to 6 titles and 50 licenses per title every 2 years.
Microsoft giving programs
Microsoft giving programs are designed to help community-based technology learning centers (CTLCs) provide technical skills and resources. Microsoft offers a variety of assistance to these centers including cash, software, teaching materials, and technical expertise. To qualify as an eligible CTLC, your group must be one of the following:
| • | Nonprofit: In the United States, 501(c)(3) designation—or a nongovernmental organization that holds charitable status in their country. |
| • | School-based: A nonprofit or governmental organization that provides services to the community outside of school hours, such as evenings and weekends. |
| • | Government funded and operated: A nonprofit organization that receives government funding or is a partner with a governmental organization to run its programs. |
Microsoft accepts funding proposals from eligible organizations through its subsidiary offices located around the world. Funding decisions are made in March and October of each year.
Grants programs to help educational groups
Teachers and schools have a great impact on future generations. By giving you the technical resources you need and the training to use them, Microsoft can help you teach others how to use the software tools they need to achieve their full potential and to help change the world. Microsoft programs offer everything from software, services, and trainers to operating system licenses for donated computers.
Partners in Learning grants program
Microsoft joins with local education leaders and government officials to help you bridge the digital divide. This global program has a full suite of offerings, including software, hardware, trainers, and curriculum. One part of the program includes the development of local Microsoft IT Academy centers—mobile classrooms for teaching and learning technical skills, complete with tools and software.
For more information, please visit the Partners in Learning Web site for your region.
Grants programs to help U.S. public libraries
Microsoft provides a software donation program that is customized for U.S. public libraries. You can choose from a list of software and tools you can use to help your library and your community. Available titles include operating systems, server technologies, and applications for your customers.
The donation program is managed by TechSoup. Through TechSoup, libraries can order up to 6 titles and 50 licenses per title every 2 years. Eligible libraries must be listed as a public library in the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) database or have an EIN number that confirms their 501(c)(3) status.
Note
501(c)(3) public libraries should register by using their EIN numbers so they can be eligible for other donation programs.
Grants programs to help nonprofit community groups
Microsoft provides programs to help your nonprofit group help others in the community. By offering you the tools and training you need, Microsoft helps you, in turn, offer the tools and training others need to reach their full potential.
Microsoft giving programs
Microsoft giving programs are designed to help community-based technology learning centers (CTLCs) provide technical skills and resources. Microsoft offers a variety of assistance to these centers including cash, software, teaching materials, and technical expertise. To qualify as an eligible CTLC, your group needs to be a nonprofit, that is: In the United States, 501(c)(3) designation; outside the United States, a nongovernmental organization that holds charitable status in its country.
Microsoft accepts funding proposals from eligible organizations through its subsidiary offices located around the world. Funding decisions are made in March and October of each year.
Software donations
Microsoft donates software to nonprofits through TechSoup—an agency that re-distributes donated software to eligible organizations. To be eligible, your group must be a U.S. nonprofit organization or nonprofit school with valid 501(c)(3) status, or a Canadian charity with a Confirmation of Registration letter from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Eligible groups can order up to 6 titles and 50 licenses per title every 2 years.
Microsoft Open License Charity
Microsoft developed this program for organizations that need more (or other) software than what is offered by TechSoup. Through Open License Charity resellers, eligible nonprofit organizations can purchase multiple software licenses at reduced prices. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status are eligible to apply for this program.
For more information, contact the Open License Charity reseller near you. To find a reseller:
Grants programs for international communities
Microsoft offers grants programs worldwide. Find information about the Microsoft grants programs in your area:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a private, Seattle-based foundation that manages the personal, philanthropic donations of the Gates family. Grants from this foundation focus on four program areas: Global health, education, libraries, and topics specific to the Pacific Northwest. These grants are separate from Microsoft philanthropic programs.
