[Important Notice]: Update on Microsoft Software Donation Program

Today we’re sharing news from Microsoft and an update on planned changes to their program on TechDonation:

-          A blog post from Microsoft’s Tech for Social Impact group recently laid out improvements and changes to their nonprofit offers and donation model, and

-          Some of these changes will impact the current Microsoft Software Donation Program on TechDonation, and may be of interest to your nonprofit or library. 

The recent blog post from Microsoft Philanthropies’ Tech for Social Impact group https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/?p=57515 shares their vision and commitment to ensuring that nonprofits, and those they serve, are not left behind as technology advancements accelerate.  Microsoft’s longstanding software donation program on TechDonation is evidence of their commitment to the sector.  TechDonation is engaging with Microsoft and more than 100 other technology providers to expand the ways we support access to technology solutions and services for nonprofits and libraries to help ensure you can affordably adopt and use the most effective technology to deliver your mission.

We’ve summarized below the Microsoft changes announced in their blog post that may influence your TechDonation experience.  Please take a few minutes to review, so that you can plan effectively for your technology needs. 

How will the current Microsoft Software Donation Program on TechDonation change on April 1st?

Product Selection:  Microsoft is optimizing its ‘on-premises’ product donations on meeting the needs of smaller organizations.  Standard versions of all Microsoft “on-premises” products will continue to be available as donations to eligible nonprofits and libraries through TechDonation.  Premium versions of Microsoft on-premises products will no longer be available as donated offers on TechDonation, but will be available with the same eligibility at a nonprofit discount.  There are no changes to donated cloud offers available from Microsoft.

Choice across all Donated Products on TechDonation:  Starting April 1, you can choose among any Microsoft donated products for your licensing without being limited by 10 title groups.

Program Rules and Eligibility Stay the Same:  Microsoft eligibility for donated offers through TechDonation remains the same.  These same eligibility rules are standardized across any source of Microsoft nonprofit discounts.  Donated license limits available over a 2-year cycle remain the same through TechDonation.

Assistance Learning About & Accessing Options:  Microsoft’s improvements and changes offer nonprofits a range of donations, discounts and licensing options.  TechDonation is committed to helping you understand the best options for your needs – whether donated or discounted, ‘on-premises’, cloud or hybrid.  Where possible, we will provide direct access in one easy place.

New and Noteworthy at microsoft.com/nonprofits:  In case you missed it in the blog post by Microsoft, we’re ‘calling out’ these exciting new direct offers for nonprofits you can get from Microsoft -- an Office 365 volunteer SKU, an expansion of Microsoft 365 with E3 and E5 offers, and Microsoft Surface to 10 new markets.

Thank you for all you do to for your communities.

HK TechDonation Customer Service

Tel: 852-2922 9258/ 853-6630 3181

Fax: 852-2865 0823

Email: customerservice@techdonation.org.hk

Technology for Good Day 2017 is open for registration!

The “Technology for Good Day” event, formerly known as “NGO Day”, has established itself as a key platform for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), public and private sectors to exchange experience, develop partnership and explore new ICT and strategies in meeting social needs of all kinds. It also signifies the 13^th year collaboration between Microsoft Hong Kong Limited and The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) in enhancing the ICT capability of NGOs.

The theme of this year is “The Complete Cloud for Modern Nonprofits – Achieve More for Social Good”. Fruitful programmes include conferences, break-out workshops, exhibition on cloud solutions, case sharing by NGO speakers, and 1:1 Ask the Expert professional consultation service. The details are as follows:

Date:    21st March 2017 (Tue)

Time:    10:00am – 5:30pm

Venue:  Microsoft Hong Kong Office @ Cyberport

Details and Free Registration: https://aka.ms/j59hl6

TechDonation Multi-Branch Eligibility

Individual service unit can register for a separate account

Good news! TechDonation relaxes the application eligibility for NGOs. With immediate effect, TechDonation accepts service units / branches of NGOs to register separate accounts. The change of policy allows multi-branch NGOs to enjoy more donated software licenses, and at the same time caters for the diverse needs of service units. 

Service units that apply for separate accounts are required to submit the proof of tax exemption status of their mother organizations (Hong Kong NGOs: Copy of Section 88 Certificate of Inland Revenue Department; Macau NGOs: Certificate for Associations of Macau Identification Department). In addition, the following criteria have to be fulfilled:

1.         The service unit must have an individual address

2.         If the NGO has various units within the same service complex, yet offering services for different target populations, each unit is permitted to register a separate account

3.         If a unit has multiple service spots within a building/ area, offering similar services to the same community, the unit is not eligible for a separate account

4.         Different service programmes/ projects within a unit is not eligible for a separate account

Points to note for separate account registration

-         Registering a separate account follows the normal application procedures which can be done online at www.techdonation.org.hk

-         Please submit the online application in English and prefix the abbreviation of parent organization ito the unit name

-         Service unit will receive TechDonation’s email for the request of submitting the required documents for validation after submitting the online application

-         TechDonation may request the service unit to submit additional documents for validation

-         TechDonation reserves the right to decline any application if the service unit fails to provide necessary documents for validation

-         TechDonation retains the right to make final decision in case of any dispute

For further enquiry, please feel free to contact TechDonation customer service.

Email: customerservice@techdonation.org.hk 

 

Nonprofit Technology Conference (March 23-25, 2016; San Jose, California, USA) ______________________________________________________________________________

The Hong Kong Council of Social Service has secured funding from the Community Chest to subsidize 2 delegates on 50% basis to attend the captioned event. Please click for the basic information of the event: Memorandum Basic Information of the Event Application Criteria Estimated Expenses per Delegate Subsidy Application Form Successful applicants are required to submit a written report and conduct a report-back session upon return to Hong Kong. To apply for subsidy, please complete the Subsidy Application Form which can be downloaded from the noted website. Completed form should reach our Office on or before January 6, 2016 (Wednesday). Attention: Ms. Grace Lai, Project Manager, Information Technology Resource Centre Limited (ITRC) Address: Room 1102, 11/F, Duke of Windsor Social Service Building, 15 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong Please mark “Confidential” on the envelope and all information will be treated in strict confidence. For queries, please contact Ms. Grace Lai at 2922 9252 or email to grace.lai@hkcss.org.hk. Please note that late applications will not be considered. We look forward to your active participation. Thank you.