Microsoft 365 Business Premium non-profit grant vs. donation

Dear @Graham Burt,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft 365 Q&A forum. I can certainly understand the concern when you receive a notice about a "discontinued" grant, especially when your organization relies on these resources to keep operations running smoothly. It is very common to see the terms "Grant" and "Donation" used interchangeably in documentation, which can lead to exactly this type of confusion. 

In the context of Microsoft’s nonprofit offerings, “grant” and “donation” are often used interchangeably to refer to the same offering: Microsoft 365 Business Premium provided at no cost to eligible nonprofit organizations. Historically, Microsoft has described these fully subsidized licenses as “donations” or “grants” in different communications, but they represent the same benefit under the Microsoft Nonprofit Program. 

However, the email you received about the Microsoft 365 Business Premium grant being discontinued is accurate and applies to your subscription, even if your admin portal labels it as a “donation.” Microsoft has recently announced changes to the nonprofit program, and the free grant/donation of Business Premium licenses is being phased out. Going forward, eligible organizations may transition to discounted pricing or alternative eligible plans. 

Official Microsoft Reference: Nonprofit offers and access Microsoft 365 Offers - Microsoft for Nonprofits | Microsoft Learn  

As a member of the Microsoft 365 Community Support team, I am here to help clarify these program changes and ensure your nonprofit doesn't lose access to essential tools. While I can guide you through the transition steps in your Admin Center, please keep in mind that I do not have access to your specific billing account or the ability to approve nonprofit eligibility that is handled exclusively by the Microsoft for Startups & Nonprofits validation team. 

Hope this clears things up for you! If you have any other questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!

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