Microsoft announced updates to its donation program that makes it easier for nonprofit organizations to get access to affordable technology.
The updates to the Microsoft Software Donation program, which is currently available in more than 100 countries around the world, include the following:
- The number of different Microsoft software products that can be requested has been expanded from six to 10 to allow nonprofits to get the software they need, such as Windows 7, Microsoft Office 2010 and Microsoft SharePoint 2010.
- Three new categories of nonprofit organizations are now eligible for software donations, including medical research organizations, private foundations, and amateur sports and recreational organizations.
- The donations program includes a new Get Genuine offering so nonprofits can ensure their existing computers are running genuine versions of Microsoft operating systems to help keep their software up-to-date and security-enhanced.
- Nonprofits can now request a software donation from Microsoft through the TechSoup Global Network whenever they need it instead of the previous limit of only one request per year.
- Nonprofit organizations ordering their donations through the TechSoup Global Network can now easily get key donations details in one place with the Microsoft Donations Center, a new website where organizations can review their donation history and identify products their organizations can request.
Among nonprofit organizations that have benefitted from this initiative in Kenya include North Star Alliance which was established in September 2006 as a platform to unite the transport sector in its response to the threat of HIV/AIDS posed to long-haul truckers in Southern Africa.
Through its wellness centres located across the country, North Star Alliance has expanded its diagnostic and treatment services to include infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, and primary healthcare concerns like high blood pressure, poor nutrition and poor eyesight with tremendous impact on the community.
Microsoft works closely with the nonprofit organization TechSoup Global and its global network to operate the software donation program in 35 countries: Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Luxembourg, Macau, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
TechSoup Global charges a small administrative fee, which funds the program to help nonprofits not only get the software they need, but also the support and expertise they need to make the best use of the technology.
Nonprofits can find out more information on the software donations program and how to submit requests from Microsoft by visiting http://www.microsoft.com/nonprofit.