Microsoft Software Donation Programme
In the past year Microsoft has donated more than $2 million worth of software to charities, voluntary organisations and community groups in New Zealand. In the coming year we hope to grow the value of software donated even further.
At Microsoft, we have a strong belief that if you provide people the resources they need, they can accomplish great things. That philosophy is the foundation of our software business. It also is the foundation of our citizenship efforts, where we seek to bring the benefits of information technology to people and communities who have limited access to this technology.
We are determined to provide support to as many charities, voluntary organisations and community groups as possible. Consequently, Microsoft New Zealand has recently partnered with TechSoup as part of a network of non-profit technology assistance providers. This new programme is designed to be a simple way for charitable organisations in New Zealand to access the technology they need to do their important work.
To find out more about this programme, please visit the official Microsoft donations programme provided by TechSoup New Zealand at www.techsoup.net.nz
FAQ
Why and how is Microsoft’s programme changing?
As part of Microsoft’s commitment to the voluntary sector, the company is working to continually enhance programmes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of charitable organisations. As part of this ongoing effort, the company is now partnering with TechSoup New Zealand as a part of a network of nonprofit technology assistance providers. They will provide donated Microsoft software to qualified Charities, Voluntary and Community Groups throughout New Zealand.
This new programme is designed to be a simple way for Charities, Voluntary and Community Groups to access the technology they need to do their important work. TechSoup will similarly partner with other leading technology assistance providers worldwide to deliver technology product donations from Microsoft and other corporate technology donors to charitable organisations in these countries
What are the benefits of the new programme for my organisation?
The new system will offer Charities, Voluntary and Community Groups more variety, cost savings, and increased access to corporate donors:
- More product variety – we are currently offering more than 40 of the latest Microsoft titles, including new server titles.
- Increased number of software titles available per organisation – up to 6 titles per organisation and up to 50 licenses per title in a 2-year period.
- Enhanced services with the addition of Software Assurance – Microsoft’s programme that ensures access to the latest product upgrades, so the software you choose now will be able to stay current through free upgrades.
- Since Microsoft donates the products completely, NGOs will only pay a small administrative fee to cover the costs of TechSoup and the local partner to administer this programme.
To find out more please visit www.techsoup.net.nz
How does the new programme work?
Charities, Voluntary and Community Groups will work directly with www.techsoup.net.nz to review and request the software they need, rather than contacting Microsoft.
Does this mean I can no longer make donation requests through local Microsoft offices?
Your local Microsoft office is available to answer questions you may have about giving programmes, but software donations will now be fulfilled through the new programme.
Does my organisation qualify for the software donation programme?
In general, most Charities, Voluntary and Community Groups that hold charitable status in their country are eligible for the programme. To review the specific programme eligibility criteria, and to confirm whether or not your organisation will meet the requirements, please go to http://www.techsoup.net.nz, and register your organisation. Your organisation will then be reviewed under the eligibility guidelines.
Will my organisation be charged for ordering software through the programme?
The programme will charge an administrative fee for each request processed. The fee is to cover the cost of administering the donation programme, and the funds go to the local partner and TechSoup. Administrative fees are set to cover costs so the programme will be sustainable long-term, but still only equate to 4-8% of the fair market value.
How much software can my organisation request?
Eligible Charities, Voluntary and Community Groups can request up to 6 software titles and up to 50 user licenses per title every two years. For more specifics, please review the programme guidelines on http://www.techsoup.net.nz
How often can my organisation request software?
Organisations can request one software donation per year for a total of two in a 2-year period. The total amount of the two donations must not exceed 6 titles and 50 licenses per title.
If I received a software donation from Microsoft before, can I request additional licenses now?
The Microsoft licensing provided through this donation programme is a different type of license, so you will need to submit a new request for additional software and licenses for any previously donated software.
I am an eligible charity and I recently purchased software. Can I get my money back?
No, unfortunately not. We hope that organisations who have made recent purchases will understand than when a corporate donor makes a new donations programme available, it is not possible to back date the programme. We hope these organisations are gaining benefit from their investment in technology and would welcome an application in the future when their next need arises.
My organisation is larger than 50 seats can I have a bigger donation?
Not through this programme. The Software Donations programme is designed to meet the needs of small to medium sized Charities, Voluntary and Community Groups and to ensure they have access to the Microsoft technology they need to achieve their missions. By researching and working with small charities, there is an understanding of which products are most valuable to them and the appropriate number of licenses to make available. If a charity needs more than the programme allows, they may obtain further software from the network of reseller partners who serve the non-profit sector.
Why are certain products not available?
The aim of the Microsoft Software Donations programme is to meet the needs of small to medium sized Charities, Voluntary and Community Groups and ensure they have access to the Microsoft technology they need to achieve their missions. Microsoft researched the needs of organisations to build the most effective list of products to help them.
Microsoft and its partners will review the range of products on an ongoing basis and, for example, ensure that new versions are added as soon as they are available. We will also continue to review the needs of charities and the list of products will therefore change on an ongoing basis. If you have a particular product that is not available you can submit a request with TechSoup New Zealand to have this reviewed.
I have other specific questions about the programme, how do I contact you?
If you have any additional queries around the programme please visit the TechSoup New Zealand website at http://www.techsoup.net.nz or you can contact TechSoup New Zealand customer support as per below
Phone
Auckland - 09 8870291
Christchurch - 03 6670235
Wellington - 04 8870236
Mail
TechSoup New Zealand Donation Programme C/- CISA
PO Box 8097 Station Arcade
Adelaide SA 5000
Australia
Fax
New Zealand fax: +64 9 925 2083
Australian fax: +61 8 8212 2788