Are You Eligible For Nonprofit Status With Microsoft?
At this moment in time, many non-profit organizations are providing critical support to people in need. However, budgets are stretched thin and it can be harder than ever to collaborate with coworkers, volunteers, and the community your non-profit is designed to serve.
One way to both positively impact your budget and facilitate collaboration is to apply for non-profit status with Microsoft.
Microsoft’s Offer
Microsoft offers a wide variety of savings and benefits for 501(c)(3) non-profits, providing Microsoft licensing for free or at a reduced cost to those who qualify. These licenses are the exact same as used by small businesses and corporations, except for the cost.
Right now, Microsoft is donating to qualifying non-profits 10 Microsoft 365 Business Premium licenses for free; additional licenses are available at the reduced price of $5.00. This license includes Teams, cloud storage through OneDrive and SharePoint, enhanced security, as well as the Office suite you know and love (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).
If your organization has not yet applied with Microsoft for its nonprofit status, there is a set of requirements above just having 501(c)(3) with the IRS.
Determining Eligibility
Per Microsoft, “eligible organizations must also operate on a not-for-profit basis and have a mission to benefit the local community that could include, but is not limited to: providing relief to the poor, advancing education, improving social welfare, preserving culture, preserving or restoring the environment, promoting human rights, and the establishment of civil society.”
Additionally, these offers are designated for either paid nonprofit employees, volunteers, or unpaid executive staff that operate as senior leadership (Board of Directors, President, Officers, Executive Director). They are NOT eligible for beneficiaries, donors, and members.
Finally, Microsoft states the organization must be free of discrimination meaning, “organizations are not eligible to participate in the Microsoft nonprofit program if they have a policy or mission of discrimination in hiring, compensation, promotion, termination, retirement, training, programs, and/or services 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.”
How To Apply
If your organization fits the above additional requirements, please check out the additional articles in our series about how to apply with Microsoft, the benefits of being a qualified non-profit, and how to leverage the ecosystem to boost your organization’s productivity.
Be sure to check out the next article in this series: How Do You Apply For Nonprofit Status?
For more information regarding Microsoft’s nonprofit application process, click here to get in touch with a representative or call (916) 441-3838 today!
