Microsoft Giving Programs: How to Apply
Nonprofit organizations are welcome to submit proposals for Microsoft's giving programs if they meet our general eligibility criteria and giving guidelines.
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Eligibility Requirements for Microsoft Funding of Community Technology Learning Centers (CTLCs)
Microsoft’s Community Affairs programme strives to enhance and enrich the access and training opportunities available to individuals underserved by technology through the existing Community Technology Learning Centers (CTLCs) around the world. These centers exist in nearly every country in the world and share a number of common attributes, whether they are in rural locations in developing countries or urban locations in developed countries.
A CTLC or a Digital Village typically consists of 15 - 20 computers loaded with software, based on the needs of the particular community, as well as training content from Microsoft as well as third parties. They are a community resource centre for training, information search on the web, doing projects, doing CV’s, job search, emailing etc., etc.
In South Africa, Microsoft together with like-minded partners from other corporate partners and NGO’s managed to set up 50 Digital Villages (or CTLC’s) in disadvantaged communities covering all the nine provinces of South Africa. To date, Microsoft South Africa has invested approximately R84 million in digital inclusion and Education. At least 40 000 people have been trained at these centres so far.
Microsoft's underlying intention is to target individuals and communities that are underserved by technology and, by providing them technology-related skills, helping them realize their full potential.
On Monday, 03 October 2005 – Microsoft South Africa and Universal Services and Acess Agency of South Africa (USAASA) have announced details of a partnership aimed at fostering digital inclusion and providing access to technology for every South African citizen.
The Mandate of the USA
The Telecommunications Act 1996, as subsequently amended, and Ministerial Policy Directions, mandate the Universal Service Agency to promote, facilitate and monitor the achievement of universal service and access in under-serviced areas, and also manage the Universal Service Fund. In addition the Agency is required to:
| • | Manage the Universal Service Fund and use it to implement the mandates as stipulated in Section 66 paragraph (1) and (2) of the Act |
| • | Survey and evaluate the impact of the various initiatives undertaken by all the stakeholders and the extent to which universal service and access has been achieved |
| • | Create an enabling environment by stimulating public awareness of the benefits of ICT services and building capacity to access these services. |
| • | Encourage, facilitate and offer guidance in respect of any scheme to provide universal access or universal service |
| • | Make necessary interventions in the under-serviced communities to enable access to ICT services. |
As part of the MOU, Microsoft South Africa announced the scaling out and expansion of its Digital Inclusion Programme in partnership with Universal Services Agency – taking the current 50 Microsoft Digital Villages into all multi-purpose community centres situated in all 284 municipalities around the country, over the next three years, with Microsoft providing free software, the sharing of its Unlimited Potential curriculum, management and IT training.
Microsoft and USA will partner in providing training of all telecentre managers both in IT and small business management skills, which will include facilitation of discussions with the community; how to go about raising funds and the practical requirements of running a small business in the South African landscape. With this partnership, Microsoft will no longer be setting up CTLC’s, this will be a normal telecentre roll out by the USA. Microsoft’s role in the partnership is to offer software and training for the centre managers.
For more information on how to apply for a telecentre in your area, please visit: www.usa.org.za
Eligible Organizations
The following types of Community-Based Technology and Learning Center (CTLC) organizations are eligible to request funding from Microsoft Community Affairs:
| • | Community Based Organization and Non Profit organizations registered with the Department of Social Services under the Non Profit Act 71 of 1997. |
| • | 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 Unsolicited proposals are reviewed on an ongoing basis. We regret that we are not able to fund every proposal. |
Ineligible Entities
The following entities are not eligible to receive donations of funding or software from Microsoft Community Affairs:
| • | Individuals |
| • | Private foundations |
| • | Hospitals1 |
| • | Conferences or symposia |
| • | Sponsors of events, tables, exhibitions, or performances |
| • | Fund-raising events such as luncheons, dinners, walks, runs, or sports tournaments |
| • | K–12 schools (not eligible for funding for programs during school hours, but may qualify for support through Microsoft's Education programs or for programs run by a nonprofit or nongovernmental organization during non-school hours; please visit the Microsoft Education Web site for more information) |
| • | Political, labor, and fraternal organizations |
| • | Religious organizations without a secular community designation2 |
How to Request Funding from Microsoft
Microsoft accepts funding proposals from eligible organizations through Microsoft subsidiary offices located around the world. To find out how and when proposals are accepted in each subsidiary, or to apply for a grant from Microsoft, please go to the following link:
http://microsoft.cybergrants.com/up
How to Request a Software Donation
The strengthening of NGOs’ capacity for service delivery increasingly requires that attention be given to their ability to manage, implement and integrate ICTs into their work. However, the issue of affordability remains one of the biggest barriers to increased investment by NGOs in their technology infrastructure and capacity. In an environment where the challenge of long-term financial sustainability continues to dominate internal NGO decision-making, the cost associated with technology investment impacts on the importance attached to building NGOs’ technology infrastructure and strengthening their work accordingly.
In response to this situation, the Southern African NGO Network (SANGONeT) is very pleased to announce the launch of SANGOTeCH, an online technology donation portal aimed at the local NGO sector. To apply for a software donation, please go to the following link: www.sangotech.org
The Fresh Start Program for Donated Computers
The Fresh Start Program for Donated Computers provides qualifying K–12 schools that receive certain donated personal computers without the appropriate paperwork and or original Microsoft Windows operating system with the proper documentation and Windows installation CDs at no cost and with minimal process. Both Windows 98 and Windows 2000 are offered through this program so that schools can choose the version that best matches the functionality of the donated personal computer, as well as their technology environment and standards.
| • | Learn More about the Fresh Start for Donated Computers Program |
1 Community Health Clinics designated as Community Health Center Programs by the U.S. Department of Health are eligible to request donations of software from Microsoft.
2 A secular designation is defined as an organization separate from the church or religious organization that provides services to people regardless of their religious beliefs and does not propagate a belief in a specific faith. Example: A food bank that is a separate 501(c)(3) organization from a church and provides food and meals to anyone who qualifies for services, regardless of religious belief.