Important Changes to the Microsoft Software Donation Programme on TechSoup South Africa

Submitted by Arnold Netshambidi on Wed, 2018-02-21 18:38

Important Changes to the Microsoft Software Donation Programme on TechSoup South Africa

Today we are sharing news from Microsoft and an update on planned changes to their programme on TechSoup South Africa:

  • A blog post from Microsoft’s Tech for Social Impact group recently laid out improvements and changes to their nonprofit offers and donation model, and
  • Some of these changes will impact the current Microsoft Software Donation Programme on TechSoup South Africa, and may be of interest to your nonprofit or library.  

The recent blog post from Microsoft Philanthropies’ Tech for Social Impact group https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/?p=57515  shares their vision and commitment to ensuring that nonprofits, and those they serve, are not left behind as technology advancements accelerate.  Microsoft’s longstanding software donation programme on TechSoup South Africa is evidence of their commitment to the sector.  TechSoup South Africa is engaging with Microsoft and more than 100 other technology providers to expand the ways we support access to technology solutions and services for nonprofits and libraries to help ensure you have effective and affordable technology to deliver your mission.

We have summarised below the Microsoft changes announced in their blog post that may influence your TechSoup South Africa experience.  Please take a few minutes to review, so that you can plan effectively for your technology needs.  

We are interested in your feedback and questions and wish to support you well during this transition – contact us at https://techsoupsouthafrica.org/contact.

How will the current Microsoft Software Donation Programme on TechSoup South Africa change on 01 April 2018?

  • Product Selection:  Microsoft is optimising its ‘on-premises’ product donations to meet the needs of smaller organisations.  Standard versions of all Microsoft ‘on-premises’ products will continue to be available as donations to eligible nonprofits and libraries through TechSoup South Africa.  Premium versions of Microsoft ‘on-premises’ products will no longer be available as donated offers on TechSoup South Africa, but will be available with the same eligibility at a nonprofit discount.  There are no changes to donated cloud offers available from Microsoft.
  • Choice across all Donated Products on TechSoup South Africa:  Starting on 01 April 2018, you can choose among any Microsoft donated products for your licensing without being limited by 10 title groups.
  • Programme Rules and Eligibility Stay the Same:  Microsoft eligibility for donated offers through TechSoup South Africa remains the same.  These same eligibility rules are standardised across any source of Microsoft nonprofit discounts.  Donated license limits available over a 2-year cycle remain the same through TechSoup South Africa.
  • Assistance Learning About & Accessing Options:  Microsoft’s improvements and changes offer nonprofits a range of donations, discounts and licensing options.  TechSoup South Africa is committed to helping you understand the best options for your needs – whether donated or discounted, ‘on-premises’, cloud or hybrid.  Where possible, we will provide direct access in one easy place.
  • New and Noteworthy at microsoft.com/nonprofits:  In case you missed it in the blog post by Microsoft, we are ‘calling out’ these exciting new direct offers for nonprofits you can get from Microsoft -- an Office 365 volunteer SKU, an expansion of Microsoft 365 with E3 and E5 offers, and Microsoft Surface to 10 new markets.

Thank you for all you do to for your communities.