Overview of the Microsoft Donation Program

Microsoft believes technology can do amazing things. That's why they partner with thousands of organizations like yours around the world to help each one achieve its mission.Whether you are a small organization serving a single community or a global nonprofit serving millions of people, Microsoft can help through software donations, training, and resources.

The Microsoft Software Donation Program for nonprofits and public libraries is one of TechDonation Program's most popular resources. As of 31 December 2011, 109,414 organizations in the United States had received donations with a fair market value of over US$1,791,000,000.

Eligibility and Quantity Allotments
For information about the types of organizations that are eligible for Microsoft donations through TechDonation Program and the frequency and quantity allotments per organization, see Microsoft Donation Program ─ Eligibility and Allotments.

Microsoft Donations Are Volume Licensing Products
The Microsoft products donated through TechDonation Program are Volume Licensing products. This means that organizations and libraries must use somewhat different procedures to install and track their software than they would for software obtained through a retail channel, such as a local store. They also have access to benefits that would not be available with retail software.

The information below lists some of the features of the Volume Licensing program that organizations encounter frequently.

Volume Licensing Service Center
You use the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) — a Microsoft website — to obtain installation keys, download software, order installation discs, and access other benefits included with your Microsoft donation. The first step is to create an account on the VLSC website. This account with the VLSC is separate from your TechDonation Program account, and TechDonation Program Client Services has no access to it. Each request you place through TechDonation Program is assigned an authorization number and a license number. TechSoup forwards these to you together with the information needed to set up a VLSC account if this is your first request.

Volume License Agreement and Product Use Rights
When you register at the VLSC, you agree to abide by the terms and conditions of your agreement. These terms and conditions establish general rules for use of the Volume Licensing software. Each application also has product use rights. These can be found at the Product Licensing Search site.

One product use right that many organizations do not know about is the right to install most desktop applications (but not operating systems) twice: first on your main workstation (your licensed device) and then on a portable device such as a laptop or PDA. The original installation and the portable device copy must be the same version in the same language, and the software on the portable device can be used only by the single primary user of the main workstation.

Software Assurance
Microsoft donations through TechDonation Program always include Software Assurance. Software Assurance is a Microsoft program that allows recipients to receive free upgrades to new versions of their products. Software Assurance adds value to your software donation in a number of other ways. Your organization can get Microsoft e-learning courses, cold backups for disaster recovery, and multilanguage packs.

Software Assurance benefits last for two years. Near the end of the two-year Software Assurance period, you will receive an email informing you that your Software Assurance is about to expire. This does not mean that your product license will expire. You can continue to use the product, but you cannot access its Software Assurance benefits, such as free e-learning or version upgrades.

Installation Media (Software)
For most products, if you need replacement discs or want to install software for different languages or versions, you can obtain the installation media from the VLSC. There is no charge to downloaded software installation kits, but you must convert the files (which are in ISO format) to a format that can be used for installation. You can also order products on disc for a charge of US$25 per product.

For a few products, installation media is not available through the VLSC. For such products, call Microsoft Worldwide Fulfillment at (800) 248-0655 or contact them by fax at (800) 554-8281. Worldwide Fulfillment charges a US$27 shipping and handling fee.

If you receive an unusable disc through your TechDonation Program donation, email info@techdonation.org. You may also call us at (852) 2922-9258 / (853) 6630-3181.

Refunds and Returns
If you want to return or exchange any of the Microsoft donated product you've received, you will need to return the entire Microsoft portion of your request and place a new request. An exchange consists of returning the items and then placing a new, revised request for the items you want.

If you received media disks, returns can be accepted only if the disks are in their original, unopened packaging, none of the software has been installed, and you received the shipment no more than 60 days previously.

If you want to return or exchange one or more items received through the Microsoft Software Donation Program, please notify TechDonation Program Client Services of the impending return by calling (852) 2922-9258 / (853) 6630-3181..

The donation limits on your account will normally be reset within eight business days after a return is complete.

Other Resources from Microsoft
A XXXXX nonprofit that has additional software needs should investigate Microsoft's Charity Open License program. This program allows organizations to purchase Volume Licensing software at reduced prices.

See the Microsoft website www.microsoft.com/nonprofit for information on grants, free software, help and training, and stories about how organizations are addressing common challenges with Microsoft technology.

Getting Help
TechDonation Program features detailed discussions of some Microsoft products and their licensing requirements. One example is the Guide to Windows Server Editions and Licensing, which is linked to from every Windows Server product page. The licenses available for server products through TechDonation Program are linked in the Related Products sections of the product pages.

You can also find valuable resources to help you select and maximize your Microsoft software acquisition in articles, blogs, discussions, and webinars at TechDonation Program, which boasts a thriving online community of technology experts ready to help you decide which products might best fit your needs.

TechDonation Program Client Services can assist you with questions about the Microsoft donation program at TechDonation Program — see Contact Us.

Microsoft offers online product support.