Non-profit organizations around the world play a vital role in addressing social, environmental, and humanitarian challenges. To amplify their impact, non-profit software, technology, and digital tools have become indispensable. Enter Microsoft for non-profits, a global tech leader, committed to making a difference beyond the realm of business.
Recognizing the immense value of non-profits and their missions, Microsoft offers a wide range of resources specifically tailored to empower these organizations. From grants and discounts on Microsoft’s software to educational and community resources, Microsoft enables non-profits to leverage technology and maximize their potential for positive change.
In this article, we will delve into the wide array of resources that Microsoft provides, their eligibility criteria, and how real non-profits use them to create a better world.
Microsoft for non-profits – an overview
Microsoft feels a responsibility to help non-profits because the company recognizes the important role non-profits play in addressing societal challenges and making a positive impact in communities. By supporting non-profits, Microsoft aligns with its broader commitment to corporate social responsibility and strives to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable world through technology and innovation.
Benefits to non-profits that take advantage of Microsoft’s offerings include:
- saving money on necessary technology infrastructure and software
- technical support, education, and skill-building for their employees and volunteers
- access to tools that increase organizational productivity and nonprofit marketing efforts
- better managed relationships with donors and more effective fundraising
Key Microsoft solutions for non-profits
One of the primary benefits Microsoft offers non-profit organizations is monetary savings on its many software and hardware products.
Microsoft 365 for non-profits
This program provides eligible non-profits with free or discounted access to Microsoft 365’s productivity and collaboration tools. Microsoft 365 includes the familiar Microsoft Office tools of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. It also includes Microsoft Teams, a communication and collaboration solution with features such as chat, video conferencing and file sharing. Non-profits can use these applications to enhance communication, productivity and collaboration within their organizations.
Microsoft Azure for non-profits
Microsoft Azure, the cloud computing platform, is made available to eligible non-profits at discounted rates or even as donations. Azure offers a wide range of cloud services, including virtual machines, databases, storage, artificial intelligence and more. By offering Azure as a grant or at a discount, Microsoft enables non-profits to leverage scalable and secure cloud computing resources.
Microsoft Power Platform for Non-profits
The Power Platform, which includes Power Apps, Power Automate (previously known as Flow) and Power BI, empowers organizations to build custom applications, automate workflows and gain insights from their data. Microsoft offers eligible non-profits access to Power Platform tools for free or at a discount. Non-profits can use these tools to streamline processes, create customized solutions and visualize data for better decision-making.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM for non-profits
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based suite of integrated business applications that helps organizations manage various aspects of their operations. It encompasses customer relationship management (CRM) functionalities, which are crucial for effective donor relationship management, and often beneficiary management as well. It also includes enterprise resource planning (ERP) functionalities, supporting a non-profit’s fundraising efforts and other operations.
Microsoft offers eligible non-profits access to Dynamics 365 for free or at discounted rates per user. To enable non-profits to leverage the capabilities of Dynamics 365, Microsoft put together the Dynamics 365 Nonprofit Accelerator, a freely available code and application package. It provides pre-built data models, industry-standard processes and templates tailored to the needs of non-profits.
Microsoft Surface for non-profits
Microsoft Surface is a line of premium devices that includes laptops, tablets, and 2-in-1s. Designed with sleek aesthetics and advanced technology, Surface devices offer high performance and versatility, in addition to built-in Microsoft security and accessibility features. They are equipped with tools like touch screens, digital pens, and detachable keyboards, providing productivity and mobility for users in various work scenarios. Microsoft offers Surface devices to eligible non-profits at discounts of up to 8% off the retail price.
Microsoft Cloud for Nonprofit
Microsoft Cloud for Nonprofit is a set of targeted, customized solutions for non-profits that address common non-profit scenarios by leveraging the combined capabilities of Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Dynamics 365, Azure, and Linkedin. At the core of Microsoft Cloud for Nonprofit is the Nonprofit Common Data Model, which unites a given non-profit’s data sources and enables intelligent automation of campaigns and programs.
The Cloud solution for Nonprofit features solutions to attract and retain donors, measure and scale the delivery of programs, and engage audiences with automated and personalized campaigns. In addition, Microsoft’s best-in-class security tools are integrated into Cloud for Nonprofit to protect sensitive donor and program participant data.
How to determine eligibility for Microsoft non-profit pricing
The eligibility criteria for Microsoft non-profit pricing may vary slightly depending on the specific program or offering. However, here are some general guidelines that are often applied:
Non-profit status
To qualify for Microsoft non-profit pricing, an organization must be a registered non-profit or non-governmental organization (NGO) that is recognized as a charitable organization in its respective country (equal to 501(c)(3) status under the US IRS Code).
Mission alignment
The organization’s mission and activities should align with Microsoft’s eligibility guidelines. Typically, this means the organization should be focused on addressing social, environmental or humanitarian issues. Common examples include relief to the poor, advancing education, improving social welfare, preserving culture, preserving the environment or promoting human rights. Organizations such as educational institutions, sports associations or healthcare organizations (among others) are generally not eligible for Microsoft’s non-profit offerings, even if they are a registered, recognized non-profit in their respective country.
Non-discriminatory
Organizations must have an inclusive and non-discriminatory policy when it comes to its employees (e.g. in hiring, compensation, promotion, termination, retirement, training, etc.) and its beneficiaries (e.g. in programs, activities, and services). If the organization does discriminate 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, it is ineligible for Microsoft’s non-profit offerings.
Geographic eligibility
Microsoft non-profit pricing is available in many countries around the world. However, the availability and specific terms may vary depending on the country or region. It’s important to check the eligibility guidelines specific to your country.
Validation process
To verify eligibility, organizations are usually required to provide documentation that proves their non-profit status. This may include official registration documents, tax-exempt status certificates or other relevant legal documents. The documentation requirements may vary based on the country and the specific program.
It’s important to note that while Microsoft offers discounted pricing or donations to eligible non-profits, there might still be some costs associated with certain services or additional features. It’s advisable to review the specific terms and conditions for each program or offering to understand the full details of the pricing structure and any potential limitations.
If you want to apply for eligibility for your non-profit, you can start the process here.
Leveraging Microsoft non-profit resources
Microsoft’s non-profit resources go beyond pricing or discounts. They aim to support non-profit organizations in building their technical skills, knowledge, and overall capacity to effectively leverage technology for their missions.
The following are some of the significant resources that Microsoft makes available to non-profits.
Training and learning
Microsoft has an entire non-profit learning hub with individual courses and comprehensive learning paths. Offerings include free on-demand courses, paid self-paced courses, and instructor-led programs. Major areas covered include Microsoft 365, Azure, and Power Platform, and are joined by individual courses on security, accessibility, and other topics.
Microsoft Digital Skills Center
Microsoft teamed up with TechSoup to offer discounted courses, webinars, and other training for non-profits on how to effectively use Microsoft technology. Some offerings are tool-focused, like their series on Word for Non-Profits or Excel for Non-Profits. Other offerings are action-focused, like their “Nonprofit Data and Impact Measurement” course bundle.
Microsoft Tech Community Hub for non-profits
Microsoft’s Tech Community Hub is its user support forum and is split into different sub-forums. The Nonprofits sub-forum is a place where you can go to ask questions of other technical people working for or familiar with non-profits.
Partner community events
The partner organizations often run physical and/or online events focusing on topics relevant to non-profits. Microsoft posts a monthly PDF of upcoming events on its non-profits information page. You can get the most current one by clicking on “Learn more” under the “Nonprofit events and offers” section.
Real-world impact: case studies of non-profits using Microsoft solutions
When Microsoft technology backs up the commitment and passion of non-profit organizations, humanity benefits. Here are some success stories of non-profits that have been able to do incredible things thanks to Microsoft’s offerings:
Operation Smile
Operation Smile is an international medical charity that provides free cleft palate surgeries and comprehensive care to children worldwide. The organization aims to transform the lives of children with facial deformities, enabling them to smile, speak, eat and lead healthier lives through specialized medical interventions and support.
The organization uses technology donated by Microsoft and its partners to streamline processes and increase productivity and collaboration, enabling it to help more children with the resources it has. The organization is also leveraging Microsoft technology to digitize current and past patient data. This system enables real-time access and the ability to analyze large sets of patient data, with the ultimate goal of better understanding and addressing the causes of cleft lip and cleft palate.
See how microsoft supports operation smile with office 365 for non profits
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is a global non-profit organization that empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports training and competitions. It promotes inclusion, acceptance, and personal development, providing opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities to showcase their skills and achieve physical fitness, social engagement and self-confidence. They provide year-round training to 5 million participants across 226 sites in 172 countries. Every year they manage up to 100,000 events!
The managers of the Special Olympics use Microsoft Teams and Dynamics to support scaling their already immense efforts. Microsoft technology empowers Special Olympics to help more athletes and acquire more volunteers. It enables them to make the lives of their staff on the ground easier so they can focus on doing their work and making an impact in the lives of the athletes and their families.
See this great video from the 2018 special olympics
The role of Email signatures in non-profit correspondence with Office 365
In the world of non-profit correspondence, email signatures play an unexpectedly profound role. Utilizing Office 365 email signatures, organizations can create tailored email signatures that do more than just list contact details. These signatures are an extension of the non-profit’s brand, summarizing its mission and values at the end of every message. They’re a subtle but effective way of reinforcing the organization’s purpose and dedication, reminding both the internal team and external audience of the core motivations that drive their work.
With Office 365, creating and updating an email signature is straightforward and efficient, enabling a consistent, impactful sign-off for all communication.
Contact The WiseStamp team to learn more about Office 365 email signature management for non-profits
Learn how to create an email signature with WiseStamp
Doing good, together
Microsoft’s commitment to supporting non-profit organizations is commendable and impactful. Through a wide range of offers and resources, Microsoft empowers non-profits to leverage technology, enhance collaboration, streamline operations, and amplify their impact. From discounted software to educational events, Microsoft provides tools and expertise for non-profits to achieve their missions effectively.
By partnering with Microsoft, non-profit organizations gain access to solutions that enable them to focus on what matters most: making a positive difference in the world. Together, Microsoft and non-profits are creating a more inclusive and equitable future, powered by technology and driven by the shared commitment to social impact.
