As technology continues to accelerate, it is easy to get lost and overwhelmed with intimidating information. ABS is making an effort to provide you with the latest IT news that could affect you and your organization.
As changes are underway to the Microsoft Software Donation Program, many nonprofits will see the difference in the coming months. Many nonprofits receive discounted Microsoft products through organizations like TechSoup. This will change in the near future and may impact many of our nonprofit partners.
TechSoup, along with Microsoft and other providers, is dedicated to expanding on current and new ways to support technology services and solutions for nonprofits and libraries. As technology advances, Microsoft and other providers wish to ensure that your organization is ready for the future and will be able to continue to deliver on your promises to serve.
The numerous changes to the Microsoft Donation Program will take effect on April 1, 2018. The first thing to note is that these new discounted offers will be referred to as Office 365 Volunteer SKU. This is an extension of the original Office 365. Secondly, product selection will be made easier. Microsoft is developing product donations to better serve small business organizations. This means that the standard versions of Office products that were offered before will continue to be offered to eligible nonprofits and libraries through TechSoup. However, premium versions of Microsoft products will only be available to eligible nonprofits and libraries at a discounted price and some of the larger nonprofits may see a price increase.
Unlike before, nonprofits and libraries will not have the limitation of only 10 title groups. Nonprofits and libraries will now have the option to choose from any Microsoft donated products, making it a bit easier to complete business operations.
Not everything will change. The program rules and eligibility will remain the same. Therefore, all eligibility rules will be carried out across all Microsoft nonprofit discounts.
Microsoft and ABS are dedicated to helping you decide which option is best for you and your organization. Changes can be scary and overwhelming, but ABS is here to help keep you informed as new information is released.