Microsoft Tech for Social Impact

More than a year and a half after Covid-19 swept across the globe, we’re all still grappling with the enormity of the changes we have experienced and the lessons we have learned in our personal and professional lives. At this juncture of the pandemic, however, I think it’s safe to say that at least two things are clear. The first is that the millions of nonprofits around the world have made a huge difference in people’s lives by stepping forward under the most difficult circumstances to provide care and relief when and where it was needed most. The second is that the dramatic acceleration in the adoption of cloud-based tools and technologies has transformed how organizations of every kind operate – including nonprofits.

Microsoft’s Tech for Social Impact, a key part of Microsoft Philanthropies, Microsoft has been inspired by the resilience and commitment of the nonprofits they support. In fiscal year 2021, Microsoft provided $2.5 billion in technology grants and discounts to some 295,000 nonprofits – 45,000 more than last year. And Microsoft are excited to begin to make grants available to over 75,000 eligible aged care nonprofits that continue to be at the frontlines of the response to the pandemic.

But Microsoft also know that, in a cloud-first world, if we are going to truly help nonprofits harness the potential of technology to transform productivity and collaboration, ensure greater flexibility and scale, improve efficiency and protect the security and privacy of donor and program participant data, Microsoft needed to update their grant and discount program to focus on the capabilities of the Microsoft Cloud.

This is why, beginning of April 2022, Micrsoft shifted to a cloud-first grant program to ensure that nonprofits of every size in every part of the globe have access to the world-class cloud technology they need to accelerate the work they are doing to accomplish their missions.

Microsoft grants span the full portfolio of Microsoft cloud solutions, including: Microsoft 365 Business Premium, which provides industry-leading cloud, security and on-premises productivity capabilities; recently added grants for Power Platform, which enables efficient and secure app development; Dynamics 365 Sales Enterprise, which can be used for industry specific-solutions like Fundraising and Engagement in Microsoft Cloud for Nonprofit; and a $3,500 annual Microsoft Azure grant for use across the entire portfolio of Azure solutions and services.

Microsoft recognises that some nonprofits are not yet ready to move to the cloud. So, while they will no longer provide grants for most of their on-premises software at beginning of April 4, 2022, they will continue to provide on-premises software to nonprofits at a discount of up to 75% through Microsoft partners. For nonprofits in markets where Azure is not yet available, they will continue to provide grants for Windows Server and SQL Server.

Additionally, to ensure nonprofits can take advantage of Windows Professional, Microsoft simplifying their licensing options with grants that make it simple to upgrade from Windows Home to Windows Professional. And, for the first time, Microsoft will provide grants for the full version of Windows Professional. All registered nonprofits will be eligible for up to 50 granted licenses with the option to purchase additional licenses at a discount through Microsoft partners.