Microsoft on-premises products being removed from the donation program
As of April 4 2022, Microsoft on-premises software will no longer be available as part of the Microsoft Donation Program. Instead, on-premises software will be available via the Microsoft Discount Program.
Unfortunately, this change will result in Microsoft on-premises software costing 3-5 times the current pricing. We recommend taking advantage of Microsoft on-premises donations while they are still available.
The below table displays the price increases that will occur on 4 April 2022. Click the product names to view licensing information and request donated software.
| Product Name | Current Price (Donated) | Price as of 4 April 2022 (Discounted) |
| Microsoft Office Standard (Windows) | $52.00 ex GST | $286.00 ex GST (+450%) |
| Microsoft Office Standard (Mac) | $52.00 ex GST | $286.00 ex GST (+450%) |
| Windows Operating System Upgrade | $35.00 ex GST | $139.00 ex GST (+297%) |
| Windows Server Standard | $16.00 ex GST | $128.00 ex GST (+700%) |
| Windows Server User CAL | $6.00 ex GST | $21.00 ex GST (+250%) |
| Windows Server Device CAL | $4.00 ex GST | $21.00 ex GST (+425%) |
| Microsoft Project | $79.00 ex GST | $689.00 ex GST (+772%) |
| Microsoft Visio | $36.00 ex GST | $167.00 ex GST (+363%) |
| SQL Server User CAL | $25.00 ex GST | $123.00 ex GST (+392%) |
| SQL Server Device CAL | $25.00 ex GST | $123.00 ex GST (+392%) |
| SharePoint Server | $870.00 ex GST | $4,053.00 ex GST (+365%) |
| Exchange Server Standard | $90.00 ex GST | $423.00 ex GST (+370%) |
| Exchange Server User CAL – Standard | $12.00 ex GST | $44.00 ex GST (+266%) |
| SQL Server Standard Edition, Server/CAL Licensing | $105.00 ex GST | $852.00 ex GST (+711%) |
Our recommendations
- Take advantage of Microsoft Donations before it's too late. Your organisation will be able to access the current Microsoft Donation Program up until 4 April 2022. We highly recommend that you access the current Microsoft Donation Program well before April if you rely on on-premise licences to power your organisation.
- Consider the cloud. Organisations will continue to be able to request Microsoft cloud products like Office 365 through Connecting Up. These offers provide the same functionality as the on-premises tools, often with more robust, secure, and resilient features.
*Existing on-premises licences will not be impacted by these changes.
*Existing cloud (Office 365) subscriptions will not be impacted by these changes.
New process for requesting on-premises licences and how to download them
- There is a new process for requesting Microsoft on-premises products. To request Microsoft products from Connecting Up, your organisation will need a Microsoft for Nonprofits account. Microsoft will verify your organisation’s eligibility. You’ll then need to give Connecting Up consent to provide you with your requested licenses. You will have five days to download the software that you've requested. If you miss this period, we'll be able to provide you with a new download link.
Additionally, Microsoft will only offer current versions of most products. You will no longer be able to automatically downgrade to earlier versions of the products that you requested from Connecting Up. Donated Microsoft products will no longer include Software Assurance benefits. This applies only to Microsoft products in our catalogue labelled "Donation". If you need Software Assurance, you will be able to request it separately. Discounted Microsoft products with Software Assurance will still be available.
View this video to understand the new order process for Microsoft on-premises products.
Step by step guide: How to order Microsoft products
PDF: How to create a Microsoft for Nonprofits account.
Get in contact
We understand that these changes may have an impact on IT planning and budgeting for your organisation, and we are here to help. Enquire here or call 1300 731 844 and we can help answer your questions and provide you with recommendations tailored to the needs of your organisation.