Microsoft plans changes to the Microsoft not-for-profit program on April 4, 2022. Some of these changes will impact the current Microsoft Software Donation Program through Connecting Up and are worth your close review as you set plans for your not-for-profit or library.

We call your attention to the recent blog post from Microsoft's Tech for Social Impact group outlining key areas of defined focus and changes to their not-for-profit offers to focus on a Microsoft Cloud first strategy. The changes planned for April 4, 2022 are propelled by Microsoft's goal of better aligning their philanthropic offers to the comprehensive capabilities and security that the Microsoft Cloud can provide not-for-profits. Connecting Up's partnership with Microsoft has enabled thousands of organisations to access world-class technology solutions, both on-premises and cloud, to better achieve their missions and will continue to prioritise supporting the needs of not-for-profits so that they can access and utilise the tools they need.

We've summarised below the changes that will impact Microsoft's longstanding software donation program through Connecting Up. We recognise that the planned changes may influence your IT budgeting and your Connecting Up experience. We are here to answer your questions and to help you understand options and resources to help you set or reset plans.

How will the current Microsoft offers on Connecting Up change?

On-premises offers: With a few exceptions noted below, on-premises products will no longer be available to not-for-profits as a donation beginning April 4, 2022. On-premises software are stand-alone, perpetual licences that users install on specific computers and can be used even without an internet connection (i.e. Office Standard). These products will still be available through Connecting Up, but only at charitable discount prices. These typically range from a 60-75% discount from commercial pricing. This results in a price increase of about 3-5 times more than current donation program pricing.

Exceptions: 

• In those limited countries where Azure is unavailable, Windows Server and SQL Server will still be available as a donation. (current Azure availability can be found here).
• After April 4, 2022, on-premises product donations will be available for those organisations that require software for shared-access devices. We understand that many organisations still need device-based access and we are delighted to work with Microsoft to offer this new program to the not-for-profits we serve. Organisations, such as those operating computer labs, training centres, or providing public-access computers will be able to access specific donation offers to support those scenarios.

Organisations will continue to have access to Microsoft cloud donation offers through Connecting Up.

Some donation offers also include the downloadable applications found in on-premises offers. The donations available are detailed below.

• Microsoft 365 Business Premium will continue to be free for up to 10 users and includes email, downloadable desktop applications (i.e. Office 365 on-premises), cloud file storage and sharing, web conferencing with IM, audio, and HD video, and simple device management and advanced security features.
• Microsoft 365 Business Basic will continue to be free for up to 300 users and includes email, cloud file storage and sharing, web conferencing with IM, audio, and HD video, and other services. 
• Power Apps Per App plan to build low code and no code custom workflows are available for free for up to 10 seats.
• Organisations can also leverage up to $3,500 in Azure services yearly directly from Microsoft.
   

How can Connecting Up help you?

Schedule time to talk about your cloud strategy with us
We are here to help. Enquire here and we can help answer your questions and provide you with recommendations.

Now is the time to think about your hybrid solution
We understand that these changes may impact your budget and planning, and we want to support you in making the right decisions for your IT needs. If you need more on-premises licencing, consider also adding a donation cloud offer to ensure your team can start saving documents to the cloud and get familiar with using Teams for collaboration. We also have hundreds of other product offers and solutions available to ensure your organisation can be digitally resilient.

Digital Transformation Hub
With a plethora of Microsoft training guides and resources available, our Digital Transformation Hub is the perfect place for not-for-profit teams to upskill in using Microsoft software.

Build up your team's skills.
The TechSoup Microsoft Digital Skills Center, part of TechSoup's courses offerings, has already supported over 40 thousand not-for-profit learners worldwide with access to training and skills to help adopt new solutions and maximise the value of the existing solutions you have.

No matter where you are in your tech planning, we are here to support you.
Please don't hesitate to contact our team if you have questions regarding program changes, or would like help in choosing a solution that meets the needs of your organisation.

FAQs

Question: How can I get on-premises products after April 4, 2022?

Answer: The same set of products currently available as donations and some previously available will still be available as a charity discount and can be requested through Connecting Up. Charity discounts typically range from 60-75% from commercial pricing, resulting in an increase of pricing about 3-5 times more than the current offers available as a donation. Charity discounts do not have any quantity allotments but do require a minimum of at least 5 licences.

Please note: To receive Microsoft software discounts, you need to register at Microsoft's not-for-profit portal. Then you will use the portal to send Connecting Up an email certificate that validates your organisation's eligibility for discounts. You can view steps to follow here.

Question: What Microsoft software is available as a donation after April 4, 2022?

Answer: The chart below matches products which are being taken out of the Microsoft Donation program on Connecting Up to alternative donated Microsoft licencing options that should be possible replacements for what you would have used on-premises products for. Note: All products can still be purchased as an on-premises product at charity discount pricing.

Question: Why is Microsoft making this change now?

Answer: Microsoft has been moving to a cloud-first model as a company for many years. Microsoft believes that to truly help not-for-profits take advantage of the promise of technology, they need to update their own grant and discount program to better align the comprehensive capabilities and security that the Microsoft Cloud can provide with the needs of not-for-profits around the globe. You can read more in their words here.

Question: Will Microsoft end support for my current on-premises products? What impact will it have on the products I have now?

Answer: You will still be able to use your on-premises products, as these are perpetual licences. Microsoft publishes end of support for these products here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/overview/product-end-of-support-overview which will indicate at what point Microsoft would stop providing product and security updates for these licences.

Question: How will this impact libraries?

Answer: Libraries will be able to continue to request on-premises donations until December 31, 2021. We are actively working with the Microsoft Education team to ensure continuity of the program offers beyond this date to support public-access computers, and will have updates to share within the next few weeks.

Question: Will I still be able to get new versions of Windows and Office?

Answer: Microsoft on-premises donations provide you licences for the latest version of products that are available. We expect Windows 11 and Office 2021 to be available starting in October. Organisations who have older versions of these products can upgrade for free if they have a valid Software Assurance. Software assurance is provided for up to 2-years and was included with previous donation program requests.

Question: What are other offers outside of Microsoft may be available to me?

Answer: We have over 60 leading technology partners who provide their software and/or services at donated or significantly discounted prices to Connecting Up members. These include the following:

• Accounting, Analysis & Reporting: Calxa, DiviPay, MYOB, Tableau
• Antivirus & Online Security: Avast, ESET, Bitdefender, Norton LifeLock, Veritas
• Graphics Editing: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightoom, Premiere etc.
• Refurbished Hardware: Acer, Apple, Dell, Lenovo, Microsoft etc.
• Remote Work Solutions: Asana, Creately, DocuSign, Zoom
• Remote Access Solutions: TeamViewer, Okta

Question: Will on-premises licences still have software assurance?

Answer: Currently, on-premises software donations include software assurance. Software assurance benefits include free software upgrades, Office Multi-Language Packs, Office suites for use at home, and more. (Details can be found here: https://www.techsoup.org/support/articles-and-how-tos/software-assurance-benefits-included-with-microsoft-products) As of January 1, 2022, software assurance will no longer be bundled with donation offers. Software assurance can only be purchased at a discount as a separate licence or licence bundle.

Schedule time to talk about your cloud strategy with us, we are here to help. Enquire here and we can help answer your questions and provide you with recommendations.