how to get free Microsoft for non-profits

Question

In reviewing your online information I see there is an ability for non-profits to get software for free.

How do I get that?

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Moved from: Microsoft 365 and Office | Microsoft 365 Defender | Other | Windows

Answer 1

Dear @Lynn Crump, 

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.   

As a moderator, I don't have the tools to investigate your specific account directly because this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and contributors, including external Microsoft employees, cannot directly intervene in Microsoft product features or access back-end systems. Our role is limited to providing technical guidance on reported issues, requests, or ideas. However, I will try my best to guide you as clearly as possible.    

Currently, based on my research and reading, the Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan is still free for up to 300 users. It includes web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with Teams, 1TB of cloud storage (OneDrive), and business email. 

I will attach an image to make it easier for you to read. 

Although 'Business Basic' is free, it only allows you to use Office via a web browser. If your organization needs to use desktop apps, the Business Premium plan is usually well worth the discounted cost; you might want to consider it. 

This process is handled through the Microsoft Nonprofit Portal. Please help me by clicking on this link and then clicking 'Get Started'. 

I would like to attach some related references; please take a look at them for more information: 

Nonprofit FAQ | Microsoft Nonprofits 

Most popular nonprofit offers

I am standing by to assist with any information. If you have any questions or require further clarification, do not hesitate to reach out. 

Looking forward to your response!  

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Answer 2

Nonprofits can get free and discounted Microsoft cloud services, including Microsoft 365 and security tools, by enrolling in the Microsoft for Nonprofits program and then claiming the available offers.

To get started:

1. Confirm nonprofit eligibility
   • Review the eligibility criteria at the Microsoft nonprofit site (see the Eligibility guidelines article in the references).
   • Note that some organizations are not eligible, such as governmental entities, schools/universities, most healthcare organizations (unless they are specific nonprofit types like CAH, FQHC, etc.), public utilities, financial institutions, and individuals.
   • Special social impact entities like museums, libraries, and certain US healthcare clinics may qualify if they are legally registered as not-for-profit and have a clear social mission.
2. Register via the Nonprofit Hub
   • Go to the Nonprofit Hub (https://nonprofit.microsoft.com/).
   • Run the eligibility pre-check.
   • Either register a new Microsoft 365 tenant or sign in with an existing tenant to register it for nonprofit status.
3. Complete validation
   • After submitting registration:
     • An email acknowledgment is sent.
     • Microsoft reviews the organization’s data to validate nonprofit eligibility.
     • If approved, another email is sent and nonprofit offers appear in the Nonprofit Hub.
     • If denied or flagged, guidance or a “Something went wrong” page is provided.
4. Claim nonprofit offers Once approved, use the Nonprofit Hub to view and activate grants and discounts, for example:
   • Microsoft 365 and Copilot: Discounted productivity and collaboration tools (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) with AI assistance.
   • Azure: $2,000 USD in annual Azure credits for hosting, VMs, databases, and AI solutions.
   • Security and compliance tools: Access to Microsoft Defender, AccountGuard, and nonprofit security programs.
   • Dynamics 365 and Power Platform: Discounted CRM and low-code tools for donor management, automation, and analytics.
   • GitHub and LinkedIn for Nonprofits: Discounted developer and workforce tools.
   • Occasional hardware and software donations through partners.
5. Purchase prerequisites and deploy solutions (if using nonprofit solution apps)
   • Purchase any required prerequisite licenses using nonprofit grants/discounts.
   • Deploy the needed Microsoft for Nonprofits solutions using the deployment guidance.
   • Complete any post-deployment configuration or integrations (for example, with Microsoft Teams).
6. Manage and maintain eligibility
   • Use the Nonprofit Hub to manage grants, licenses, and organizational details.
   • Complete required donor-rule attestations when prompted to maintain eligibility.
   • Ensure licenses are used appropriately (for example, avoid sharing with ineligible organizations and maintain active usage of granted licenses).

If additional help is needed during registration or activation, submit a support request through the Contact Us form linked from the Nonprofit Hub.

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References:

• Microsoft for Nonprofits program overview
• Nonprofit offerings and products
• How to get started
• Eligibility guidelines
• Special nonprofit use cases