TechSoup Canada Microsoft Donations Program

MICROSOFT DONATION PROGRAM UPDATES

Full Versions of Windows Operating System now available through the Microsoft Get Genuine Program

Does your organization have PCs with illegal, free, or basic operating systems — either from accepting donated machines or buying the computers at bargain-basement prices? Microsoft’s Get Genuine program offers your organization a one-time chance to get your existing computers running fully legitimate and upgradable Windows operating systems, enabling your organization to easily upgrade through TechSoup when a more recent OS version is needed or released.
> Get Genuine Program

Your Cycle Has Been Reset!

If your organization is already participating in the Microsoft Software Donation Program through TechSoup, your cycle has been reset! Your two-year donation cycle will start again when you place your first Microsoft request after July 27, 2011, and will reset every two years on the anniversary of that request. Orders placed before July 27, 2011, will not count against your new Microsoft software donation allotment.
> Eligibility and Allotments

Order More, When you Want it!

Beginning July 27, 2011, you can now request Microsoft products as needed, not just once per year. There is also no more five seat minimum, you can request up to 10 different Microsoft titles instead of 6 and you can find all your Microsoft donation requests in a glance with the new Microsoft Donation Centre.
> How Microsoft Program Updates Benefit Your Organization

HOW DO I GET MICROSOFT FOR MY ORGANIZATION?

Overview of the Microsoft Software Donation Program- learn about the quantity of products an organization can request, special rules for software installed by public libraries, and specific procedures to follow for returns. This page also provides an overview of the benefits and rules of the Microsoft Volume Licensing program, through which the donated products are made available, along with links to help you find additional information at both TechSoup and Microsoft.

Your Guide to the Microsoft Donations Through TechSoup Canada- in this article, we outline Microsoft's donation restrictions and limits and offer some tips on how to get more out of your donation by summarizing the rights and privileges that come with Microsoft's Software Assurance program. We’ll also provide advice on technology planning so that you can make donation requests in line with your organization's present and future needs.

Eligibility and Allotments Guidelines for ordering Microsoft- learn what kind of organizations are eligible for the Microsoft Donations Program, special rules that apply to Public Libraries and Faith Based Organzations, and guidelines for the frequency and quantity of orders you are allowed to order.

Restrictions to the Microsoft Donations Program-learn what kind of organizations do not qualify for the Microsoft Donations Program and the limitations on requests.

Search Microsoft Donations Program By Title Groups- Search the Microsoft Donations Program by title group. Keep in mind eligible organizations may request software from up to 10 title groups and up to 50 user licenses per group. You can also request up to 5 server licenses in total in every two-year cycle.

RESOURCES FOR THE MICROSOFT DONATIONS PROGRAM

> Webinar- Microsoft Donation Program: How Does it Work? Confused about the new rules for the Microsoft Donations Program? This Webinar lays out all the changes from the old program and the new program in simple straightforward terms.

> Webinar- Microsoft Donations Program: Get Your Questions Answered (US version) This recorded webinar in the US will help answer your questions about the Microsoft Donations Program

> What Your Organization Should Know About Microsoft Office 2010 - Learn about the the lates version of Microsoft Office and what the new features can do for your nonprofit or library.

> How do I get Microsoft Office 2010? - Some tips to help you get started with your product and links to support from Microsoft. On this page you will also find links to resources on TechSoup and elsewhere.

> Guide to the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center - Learn how Microsoft products are obtained through TechSoup Canada through the Microsoft Volume Licensing program.

> What is Software Assurance? - Software Assurance is a significant benefit that adds value to your software donation in a number of ways. Below is a list of the specific benefits available through Software Assurance.

WINDOWS UPGRADE STILL AVAILABLE?

If your existing PCs already have a qualifying base operating system in place, you can still request the Windows OS Upgrades donations that TechSoup has always offered. Since you only have one chance to request Get Genuine Windows OS products ever, you should request the standard upgrade products if you have one of the following qualified, base Operating Systems already in place on your machine:

•   Enterprise, Professional, or Ultimate editions of Windows 7 or Windows Vista
•   XP Professional version of Windows XP
•   Windows 2000 Professional
•   Windows NT Workstation 4.0
•   Windows 98 (2nd Edition)
•   Apple Macintosh

Let TechSoup Canada help you learn about Windows 7 and upgrading your operating system.

TechSoup Canada partners with Microsoft to provide affordable access to up-to-date technology and to support nonprofits with free resources such as articles, blog posts, webinars, and community forums.

Check out the following links for more information on Windows 7 and the Microsoft program: