Nonprofit Techies articles

Turn AI Potential into Real Impact—One Day Is All It Takes

Tiffiany — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:55:34 GMT

🌐 Online | Multiple session times

📅 May 6, 2026

🔗 Register: https://aka.ms/AgentathonMay2026

If AI is on your roadmap—but still feels out of reach—this is your reminder that May 6 is coming up fast. The Microsoft Global Agent‑a‑thon is your opportunity to move from AI interest to real, usable solutions in one day, with guidance and support that continues well beyond the event.

This isn’t about watching demos or talking about possibilities.

It’s about building.

Why This Matters Right Now

Across nonprofits, public sector, education, and business, teams are stretched thin. Workloads are increasing, expectations are growing, and there’s little room to experiment without support.

AI agents can help—if teams know how to build and apply them responsibly and effectively.

That’s exactly what the Agent‑a‑thon provides:

Hands‑on building
Clear learning paths
Real use cases
Ongoing guidance
A global community solving real problems

There’s a Level for You

Whether you’re brand new to AI or already building solutions, there’s a path designed for your role and goals:

🌱 Explorer

Build your first AI agent, no coding required and walk away with something you can use immediately.

⚙️ Commander

Automate workflows, connect systems, and reduce repetitive work using Copilot Studio and no‑code tools.

🚀 Master

Design secure, enterprise‑grade AI agents with governance, orchestration, and scale in mind.

No matter the level, the focus is the same: practical impact, not theory.

A Special Note for Nonprofits

Nonprofits often feel the pressure of “doing more with less” the most.

Through the Agent‑a‑thon, nonprofits can:

Automate administrative tasks that drain time and energy
Support staff and volunteers with faster access to information
Scale services without adding overhead
Explore AI in a safe, guided environment
Build solutions aligned directly to their mission

Most importantly, you don’t have to do it alone. The Agent‑a‑thon is designed to support you before, during, and after the event.

More Than a Day—A Starting Point

Yes, the build happens in one day.

But the learning, support, and momentum continue.

Participants can submit their agents, access continued resources, and learn alongside a global community focused on real‑world outcomes—not shelfware.

If AI is on your list this year, this is your moment.

One day to build. Ongoing support to grow. A chance to shine globally.

Building Intelligent Apps With Azure

Tiffiany — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:45:03 GMT

Technology is changing fast, and apps today can do far more than they used to. With artificial intelligence (AI) becoming part of everyday tools, organizations of all sizes are looking for ways to build smarter, more helpful apps. Microsoft Azure makes this easier by giving teams the tools and training they need to learn, experiment, and create with confidence.

What Makes an App “Intelligent”?

An intelligent app uses AI to make experiences feel more natural and responsive — like understanding language, recognizing images, or offering helpful suggestions. You can build these apps from scratch or modernize the ones you already have using Microsoft Azure.

Cloud technology plays a big role because it keeps everything fast, secure, and easy to scale.

Helping Teams Build With Confidence

Working with AI can feel overwhelming at first. Teams often face challenges like:

Not having much experience with AI
Feeling unsure about which tools to use
Wanting to make sure AI is used responsibly

Azure supports teams with hands‑on learning, expert guidance, and built‑in responsible AI tools through frameworks like Microsoft Responsible AI, helping teams build safely and confidently.

Start With the Basics

Before building intelligent apps, it helps to understand where your team is today and what skills they may need. Azure and Microsoft Learn offer simple, practical resources to get started:

AI fundamentals – Learn the basics of how AI works
- https://learn.microsoft.com/ai
Generative AI – Explore tools like AI copilots and how to write effective prompts
- Craft effective prompts for Microsoft 365 Copilot - Training | Microsoft Learn
Cloud‑native development – Build apps designed to run smoothly in the cloud
- Create cloud native apps with Azure and open-source software - Training | Microsoft Learn
Modernizing older apps:
- Azure application modernization overview - Assess, plan, and modernize existing workloads
  - Microsoft App Modernization Guidance for Azure - App Modernization Guidance | Microsoft Learn
- Power Platform modernization - Rebuild or extend legacy apps using low-code tools.
  - Modernize applications with Power Platform - Power Platform | Microsoft Learn
- Azure & .NET modernization – Upgrade ASP.NET apps to modern .NET and deploy to Azure
  - Modernize ASP.NET and ASP.NET Core web applications - App Modernization Guidance | Microsoft Learn

These resources help teams learn at their own pace and build confidence as they go.

Deploying Apps the Right Way

Once your app is ready, you need a smooth way to launch it. Azure provides tools and best practices to help teams:

Set up the right environment
Build and test apps quickly
Use containers and DevOps to speed up delivery
- Azure DevOps | Microsoft Azure
- Containers on Azure | Microsoft Azure
Deploy AI features safely using Azure’s governance and security tools

As many developers have noted, “What used to take weeks now takes hours.”

Keep Improving Over Time

Building an intelligent app isn’t a one‑time project. Teams need to monitor performance, keep apps secure, and make improvements as technology evolves. Azure offers resources to help with:

Scaling apps as usage grows — Automatically adjust resources to meet demand while maintaining performance and reliability.
Protecting apps from security threats — Use built‑in security, identity, and compliance tools to safeguard data and reduce risk.
Improving accuracy and performance — Monitor models and applications to fine‑tune quality, responsiveness, and user experience.
Managing costs — Track usage, optimize resources, and control spending as apps grow and evolve.

Create a Culture of Continuous Learning

The most successful organizations treat learning as an ongoing investment. As Forbes notes, helping people understand new technologies builds trust and prepares teams for the future.

Microsoft offers a wide range of learning paths, tutorials, and hands‑on experiences to support your team as they explore AI and intelligent app development:

A Practical Look at Device Analytics and Risk Signals with Microsoft Intune

Tiffiany — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:51:55 GMT

As organizations increasingly rely on laptops, mobile devices, and cloud‑connected applications, visibility into device health, configuration, and security posture is critical. Performance degradation, outdated configurations, and elevated device risk can negatively affect productivity and increase exposure to security threats.

Microsoft provides an integrated set of services—Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint—that support modern device management, evaluate device risk, and help organizations enforce consistent security controls across their environments.

This guide explains how these services work together, the role of Microsoft Configuration Manager, and how built‑in analytics and compliance signals can be used to improve device reliability and security.

The Role of Microsoft Configuration Manager

Microsoft Configuration Manager (formerly System Center Configuration Manager, or SCCM) is an on‑premises management platform used to deploy applications, manage software updates, enforce configuration baselines, and evaluate compliance—primarily for Windows devices.

When Configuration Manager is used together with Microsoft Intune through co‑management, organizations can extend their existing on‑premises management with cloud‑based capabilities. In a co‑managed environment:

Configuration Manager continues to manage traditional workloads.
Microsoft Intune adds cloud‑based device management and compliance evaluation.
Management workloads can be moved gradually from Configuration Manager to Intune.

This approach enables organizations to support both legacy infrastructure and modern cloud‑first device management strategies during transitions or hybrid deployments.

Learn more:
Co-management for Windows devices - Configuration Manager | Microsoft Learn

How Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Contributes to Device Security

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a unified endpoint security platform that delivers preventive protection, post‑breach detection, automated investigation, and response. It continuously evaluates device activity and assigns device risk levels based on observed threats and security signals.

Core capabilities include:

Threat and vulnerability management, which identifies software vulnerabilities and security misconfigurations
Attack surface reduction capabilities to limit common attack vectors
Endpoint detection and response (EDR) for alerting, investigation, and forensic analysis
Automated investigation and remediation to reduce manual response effort
Threat intelligence derived from Microsoft’s global security telemetry

When Defender for Endpoint is integrated with Microsoft Intune, device risk levels can be used within compliance policies and Conditional Access to restrict access to organizational resources when risk thresholds are exceeded.

Learn more:
Integrate Microsoft Defender for Endpoint with Intune for Device Compliance - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn

What Microsoft Intune Provides

Microsoft Intune is a cloud‑based unified endpoint management (UEM) service that enables organizations to manage devices, protect organizational data, and enforce security requirements across Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and Android devices.

Core Intune capabilities include:

Cross‑platform device enrollment and lifecycle management
Configuration profiles to apply standardized device settings
Compliance policies to evaluate whether devices meet security requirements
App protection policies that safeguard organizational data within applications, including on personal (BYOD) devices
Integration with Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access for access decisions based on compliance and risk

By integrating Intune with Defender for Endpoint and Conditional Access, organizations can adopt a risk‑based access model that takes real‑time device health and security posture into account.

Learn more:
What is Microsoft Intune - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn

Choosing How to Use Intune and Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft positions these services as complementary:

Microsoft Intune focuses on device and application management, configuration, and compliance.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint focuses on endpoint threat protection, detection, and response.
Many organizations deploy both to combine centralized management with advanced security capabilities.

Together, they allow device configuration, security monitoring, and access control to operate as a unified system rather than isolated tools.

Microsoft Intune Licensing Overview

Microsoft Intune Plan 1 is included with several Microsoft subscription offerings. For nonprofits and small organizations, Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes Intune Plan 1 by default. Other plans that include Intune Plan 1 (as of March 2025) include:

Microsoft 365 E3 and E5
Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) E3 and E5
Microsoft 365 F1 and F3
Microsoft 365 Government G3 and G5
Microsoft Intune for Education

Feature availability may vary by license, and organizations should always review the official service descriptions for current inclusions and limitations.

Learn more:
Licenses available for Microsoft Intune - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn

Designing an Effective Device Enrollment Strategy

An effective enrollment strategy establishes consistent management and security controls from the start. Microsoft recommends that organizations:

Define security and management objectives.
Select appropriate enrollment methods such as Windows Autopilot, Microsoft Entra ID join, or manual enrollment.
Apply standardized configuration and security policies.
Use compliance policies to evaluate device posture.
Plan for scalability and long‑term device lifecycle management.
Provide end‑user guidance to support adoption.

Enrollment is the foundation for applying policy, evaluating compliance, and maintaining ongoing visibility into managed devices. [learn.microsoft.com]

Coordinating Intune and Defender During Device Onboarding

Microsoft documents a layered onboarding approach that commonly includes:

App protection policies
Protect organizational data within supported applications, including on unenrolled BYOD devices.
Device enrollment in Intune
Enables configuration management, compliance assessment, and reporting.
Compliance policies
Define security requirements such as OS version, encryption, password policies, and update status.
Conditional Access
Enforces access decisions based on Intune compliance results and Defender for Endpoint device risk levels.
Configuration profiles
Apply standardized security and operational settings.

This approach helps ensure devices meet baseline security requirements before accessing sensitive organizational resources.

Using Endpoint Analytics to Improve Device Experience

Endpoint Analytics, available in Microsoft Intune, provides insights into device performance, reliability, and user experience. Microsoft positions Endpoint Analytics as an operational analytics tool, not a real‑time threat detection system

With Endpoint Analytics, IT teams can:

View dashboards showing startup performance, application reliability, and device health
Compare devices against established performance baselines to identify underperforming endpoints
Use generated scores and insights to prioritize remediation
Investigate issues affecting the end‑user experience, such as slow boot times or outdated configurations

These insights help organizations shift from reactive troubleshooting toward proactive device optimization.

Learn more:
Endpoint analytics overview - Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Learn

Summary

By combining Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, and Endpoint Analytics, organizations can manage devices consistently, evaluate device health and risk, and enforce access controls based on real conditions rather than assumptions.

This integrated approach supports modern work by improving visibility, strengthening security posture, and enabling IT teams to make data‑driven decisions that protect users and organizational data.

Celebrating Camille Pepper’s volunteer leadership this National Volunteer Month

Tiffiany — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:57:30 GMT

Behind every act of volunteering is a story of heart, hope, and unseen effort. This National Volunteer Month, we’re proud to spotlight Camille Pepper, volunteer CEO of Everything Suarve (ESuarve) — an organization transforming the lives of young people who have grown up surrounded by instability and trauma.

Camille never set out to become a volunteer CEO. She simply showed up for a friend. But what she witnessed inside ESuarve changed her path: young people carrying far more than most adults ever see, and a system too quick to label them without asking what happened to them.

“I never planned to be a volunteer CEO, but ESuarve showed me how much young people carry — and how powerful it is when they begin to trust, heal, and believe they’re worth more than their past.”

For Camille, sustainability isn’t corporate language — it’s protection. Governance, structure, and financial oversight ensure that ESuarve remains a place where young people feel safe, believed in, and fought for.

"Leading with the heart is essential, but a heart without structure cannot last. Sustainability is safeguarding hope.”

Impact, for her, is measured not only in employment outcomes or reduced reoffending, but in the quieter shifts: a genuine smile, a softened guard, a young person lifting their head a little higher because they’re beginning to believe they matter.

Camille’s story is a reminder that volunteer leadership carries real responsibility — and real possibility. When anchored in purpose, it becomes a powerful act of service.

To read Camille’s full story and reflections, visit the original LinkedIn article here.

Cracking the Code to Secure Productivity: How to Work Smarter Without Compromising Security

Tiffiany — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:09:04 GMT

For years, organizations were forced to choose between productivity and security. More protection often meant more friction, while greater flexibility increased risk. Today’s digital environment demands a different model—one where security and productivity reinforce each other rather than compete.

This is the idea behind secure productivity: empowering employees to work the way they need to while data, identities, devices, and systems are protected seamlessly in the background. As work becomes more distributed and threats become more advanced, organizations can no longer afford a tradeoff between speed and safety—they need both.

A modern secure productivity strategy relies on AI‑powered, intelligent security that adapts to real‑world behavior. By detecting anomalies, stopping threats early, and automating routine protection, AI reduces burden on IT teams while allowing employees to stay focused. Combined with a Zero Trust approach—where every access request is continuously verified—security becomes stronger without slowing people down.

Secure productivity ultimately:

Reduces organizational risk
Improves employee experience and confidence
Supports remote, hybrid, and AI‑enabled work
Accelerates innovation while protecting what matters most

As AI reshapes how work gets done, a strong, intelligent security foundation ensures organizations can move forward confidently instead of cautiously.

👉 For the complete explanation, deeper insights, and supporting context, refer to: https://aka.ms/CrackingtheCodetoSecureProductivity

Want to get more out of Microsoft Copilot Chat without adding another tool—or cost—to your stack?

Tiffiany — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:34:00 GMT

Microsoft has released a free Copilot Chat learning pathway that helps users quickly build practical, everyday skills using Copilot Chat already built into Microsoft 365 apps. Even better, Copilot Chat is now available to users without a paid Microsoft 365 license, making this learning opportunity widely accessible.

In under an hour, you’ll learn how to:

Write clearer, more effective prompts
Refine Copilot responses for better results
Use Copilot Chat for real work—summarizing, drafting, brainstorming, and planning

It’s a quick, hands‑on way to boost productivity and help teams feel confident using AI in the tools they already know.

👉 Check out the learning pathway and the original LinkedIn post here.

Microsoft Global Agent-a-thon

Tiffiany — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:14:11 GMT

Turn AI Potential into Real Impact—in One Day (and Beyond)

🌐 Online | Multiple session times
📅 May 6, 2026
🔗 Register: aka.ms/AgentathonMay2026

AI isn’t something to experiment with someday—it’s a capability organizations across nonprofits, public sector, education, and business need now to reduce workload, improve services, and focus on what matters most.

The Microsoft Global Agent‑a‑thon is a global, hands‑on experience where you don’t just learn about AI—you build real AI agents, receive guidance and support throughout your journey, and have the chance to showcase your solution on a global stage.

This is more than a one‑day event. It’s a guided, supported learning experience.

Choose the level that fits your role—and your ambition:

🌱 Level 1 – Explorer

For leaders, professionals, nonprofit staff, and first‑time builders

Build your first AI agent using Agent Builder—no coding required
Learn how agents can answer questions, summarize information, and support teams
Leave with a working agent you can apply immediately

⚙️ Level 2 – Commander

For Copilot Studio users, IT teams, operations leaders, and developers

Build no‑code agents that automate workflows and connect systems
Reduce time spent on repetitive tasks like intake, reporting, and internal support
Designed for both mission‑driven and commercial environments

🚀 Level 3 – Master

For architects, advanced builders, and technical decision‑makers

Build secure, enterprise‑grade AI agents using Microsoft Foundry
Explore orchestration, multi‑agent patterns, governance, and scale
Ideal for complex organizations and distributed teams

🏆 Go further than building:

Submit your AI agent for a chance to win a grand prize
Benefit from continuous learning, resources, and expert support—before, during, and after the Agent‑a‑thon
Learn alongside a global community solving real‑world problems
Build solutions designed for real impact, not shelfware

Why this matters to nonprofits

Nonprofits are under constant pressure to maximize impact with limited staff, time, and funding. Administrative burden, reporting requirements, fundraising demands, and growing community needs often compete with mission‑critical work.

AI agents can help change that.

Through the Agent‑a‑thon, nonprofits can:

✅ Automate repetitive tasks like donor follow‑ups, grant reporting, intake forms, and internal help desks

✅ Support staff and volunteers with faster access to information and insights

✅ Scale services without scaling overhead

✅ Experiment safely with AI—guided by tools, training, and community support

✅ Build solutions aligned to their mission, not generic tech use cases

Most importantly, nonprofits don’t have to do this alone. The Agent‑a‑thon provides structure, guidance, and ongoing support, helping organizations move confidently from exploration to real‑world application.

Whether your goal is amplifying mission impact, improving service delivery, or increasing efficiency, the Microsoft Global Agent‑a‑thon helps you move from AI curiosity to real, lasting capability.

One day to build. Ongoing support to grow. A chance to shine globally.

Carrying World Stray Animal Day Forward Through Technology‑Driven Action

Tiffiany — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:03:58 GMT

World Stray Animal Day shined a light on the countless animals living without safety, care, or a place to call home. Across Europe, animal welfare organizations work tirelessly to change that reality — offering rescue, medical treatment, behavioral support, and the chance at a new beginning.

Two organizations, Dierenopvang Amsterdam (DOA) in the Netherlands and Dyrenes Beskyttelse in Denmark, demonstrate how technology can strengthen this mission and help teams reach more animals in need.

Dierenopvang Amsterdam: More Time for Care

DOA supports thousands of dogs and cats each year, many arriving with complex medical or emotional needs. By streamlining administrative work and improving coordination across teams, DOA is giving staff and volunteers more time to focus on what matters most:

Providing hands-on care
Supporting thoughtful, successful adoptions
Helping animals rebuild trust in people

Technology is helping DOA turn compassion into capacity.

Dyrenes Beskyttelse: A Nationwide Safety Net

In Denmark, Dyrenes Beskyttelse operates a broad network of shelters, wildlife centers, and emergency response teams. With modern digital tools improving response times, case tracking, and care management, the organization is strengthening its ability to reach more stray and abandoned animals — and guide each one toward a safer future.

Innovation That Amplifies Impact

For animal welfare organizations, technology can:

Improve rescue coordination
Track medical and behavioral histories
Support volunteer and staff workflows
Strengthen adoption pathways
Reduce administrative strain

World Stray Animal Day reminds us to celebrate the organizations using innovation to protect animals — and the people whose dedication makes every rescue possible.

To read the full story and explore the original insights, visit Microsoft for Nonprofit LinkedIn.

Nonprofits Are Shaping What Comes Next

Tiffiany — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:28:27 GMT

At the Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit, nonprofit leaders and technologists came together to learn from one another during a time of rapid change. As shared in the original Microsoft for Nonprofits post, the strongest takeaway wasn’t that anyone has all the answers—it was that progress now depends on trust, partnership, and continuous learning as AI reshapes how work gets done across missions and communities.

Across sessions, leaders focused on practical learning: asking better questions, testing responsibly, and bringing teams along without losing sight of the people they serve. One theme stood out clearly—learning is no longer a one‑time transition, but an ongoing leadership capability. As AI accelerates timelines and expectations, leaders are intentionally creating space for curiosity, experimentation, and strategic thinking to adapt responsibly and lead with intention rather than urgency.

Equally central were conversations about inclusion, trust, and data stewardship, especially for organizations handling sensitive or personal data. Governance, ethics, and security surfaced not as barriers to innovation, but as essential enablers—recognizing that meaningful impact only scales when communities trust the systems and institutions behind them.

Partnerships also emerged as critical to durable impact. Leaders emphasized that collaboration across nonprofits, philanthropy, and technology partners is what turns pilots into repeatable, real‑world outcomes through shared learning and collective problem‑solving.

These themes came to life through stories from organizations like Children International, Goodwill NYNJ, and Answer ALS, illustrating how technology—used thoughtfully—can strengthen operations, accelerate outcomes, and deepen mission impact.

Looking ahead, one message was clear: nonprofits aren’t waiting for the future to arrive—they are actively shaping it. Through purposeful leadership, trusted partnerships, and responsible technology adoption, nonprofits are defining what comes next for their missions and the communities they serve.

To learn more, please visit: Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn

How Goodwill Opens More Doors for Job Seekers with Barriers to Employment Using AI

Tiffiany — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:55:26 GMT

Goodwill NYNJ’s mission has always been clear: help people with disabilities and other barriers to employment find meaningful work. But with resumes arriving in every format imaginable—and staff manually reformatting each one—the process often slowed down opportunities for qualified candidates.

That changed when Goodwill partnered with Microsoft at Hack4Good. Together with GoodTemps, Microsoft, Redapt, and student technologists, they built Resume Builder, an AI‑powered tool that quickly turns scattered resume information into a clean, professional format while keeping humans in full control of final approvals.

The impact has been immediate. Goodwill has processed hundreds of resumes, saved nearly 200 staff hours, and helped job seekers get to interviews 25% faster—freeing staff to focus on coaching candidates and engaging employers rather than fixing formatting issues.

Why it matters for nonprofits

Goodwill’s experience shows how mission‑driven organizations can use AI responsibly to scale impact, reduce staff burden, and move faster without sacrificing the human connection at the heart of their work. When nonprofits co‑create technology with the communities they serve, innovation becomes not just efficient—but equitable.

To learn more, visit: Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn

Shared Data and Collective Resolve Are Advancing ALS Research

Tiffiany — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:46:14 GMT

Answer ALS shows what becomes possible when people come together to share data in service of something bigger than themselves—and why that mindset matters far beyond ALS research.

That spirit is reflected in the journey of former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 just months before he and his wife were expecting their first child. Rather than allowing the diagnosis to define his future, Gleason founded Team Gleason to support people living with ALS through assistive technology, equipment, and care services. In 2013, he challenged the scientific community to push beyond conventional thinking, declaring, “The status quo is not acceptable.” That call helped spark the founding of Answer ALS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to understanding ALS at unprecedented depth.

Today, that collaboration continues through Neuromine, the world’s largest ALS research hub, built in collaboration with Microsoft and powered by Microsoft Azure. Neuromine brings together anonymized biological and clinical data from more than 2,500 individuals who have chosen to share their information to accelerate progress.

Why this matters for nonprofits: when organizations prioritize collaboration, trust, and responsible data sharing, they unlock insights that no single institution could achieve alone. This story is a powerful reminder that technology—used thoughtfully—can help nonprofits move faster, work smarter, and drive impact at scale.

Learn more on Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn

Preparing the Nonprofit Sector for the Next Era of Impact

Tiffiany — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:04:44 GMT

As thousands of nonprofit leaders gather for Microsoft’s Global Nonprofit Leaders  Summit, one theme is rising to the surface: nonprofits are ready to lead the next wave of AI transformation. They’re already the organizations communities turn to during moments of change, and AI is opening new possibilities to deepen that impact. To support this momentum, Microsoft is launching Elevate for Changemakers a new initiative designed to help nonprofit professionals build the skills, confidence, and strategic capacity needed to guide responsible AI adoption.

What Elevate for Changemakers Offers

AI for Nonprofits Professional Certificate — a sector‑specific learning path created with LinkedIn and NetHope.
Live and on‑demand AI training — practical, nonprofit‑focused sessions covering Copilot, responsible AI, change management, and more.
The Changemaker Fellowship — a global cohort for nonprofit professionals already driving AI adoption inside their organizations and ready to turn early efforts into long‑term transformation.

Across the sector, nonprofits are already using AI to reclaim staff time, scale programs, strengthen donor engagement, and modernize operations. These advances are being led by people inside organizations who are stepping into new roles—often without formal titles—because they see what’s possible.

Microsoft’s commitment is long‑term: investing in the tools, training, and partnerships that ensure AI’s benefits reach the communities nonprofits serve.

Read the full story for deeper insights and examples, please visit the Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn

Children International: Turning time saved into lives changed

Tiffiany — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 22:04:12 GMT

What happens when a nonprofit gives hours back to its people? Children International is using AI to reduce administrative work and reinvest that time into children, families, and communities. The impact is already clear — in Colombia, participation in educational programs rose from 33% to 95%.

Read the full story and watch how this shift is helping scale mission where it matters most: Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn

Building Tech for Good Means Building Health Equity for Everyone

Tiffiany — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:35:14 GMT

In the nonprofit tech world, we talk a lot about access — access to tools, access to data, access to opportunity. But there’s another kind of access that often gets overlooked: access to equitable, high‑quality health care.

For people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), that access is still far from guaranteed. Not because of their disability, but because of the systems around them — systems that miss diagnoses, overlook symptoms, or simply aren’t designed with their needs in mind. The result is heartbreaking: preventable health issues, delayed care, and dramatically shorter life expectancy.

This is where technology, training, and community partnerships can make a real difference.

One organization showing what’s possible is Special Olympics, whose Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® program has been quietly transforming health access for decades. Through free screenings, education, and large‑scale training of health professionals, they’re proving that inclusive health isn’t a niche initiative — it’s a blueprint for equity.

Check out the full post on Microsoft for Nonprofit LinkedIn to see why inclusive health and inclusive sport are reshaping what equity can look like.

Building a Resilient Nonprofit: Practical Steps to Strengthen Your Digital Security

Tiffiany — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 18:36:45 GMT

Nonprofits today operate in an increasingly complex digital landscape. Whether your organization supports humanitarian aid, education, animal welfare, climate action, or community health, one thing is true across the sector: security can no longer wait.

According to the Microsoft Digital Defense Report, nonprofits and NGOs remain among the most frequently targeted sectors by nation‑state actors, largely because of the sensitive humanitarian, political, and demographic data they hold.

The rise of remote work, increasing data sensitivity, and rapid AI adoption mean nonprofits must be proactive—not reactive—when it comes to cybersecurity. The good news? Strengthening your digital security doesn’t require an overhaul. It starts with five practical, foundational steps.

Below is a breakdown of the core guidance from Microsoft’s security recommendations, reinforced with insights from the Microsoft Digital Defense Report.

1. Gain Buy‑In From Leadership

“Security is a mission‑critical priority, not a back‑office function.” — Microsoft Digital Defense Report

The MDDR emphasizes that leadership alignment is one of the strongest predictors of an organization’s security resilience. Boards, executive directors, and senior leaders must champion security policies and investments.

Microsoft notes that organizations with executive‑level commitment experience significantly fewer successful attacks, because security becomes embedded in culture—not treated as an IT afterthought.

2. Build Security Awareness and Skills Across Your Team

“Human-operated attacks continue to exploit the weakest link: people.” — Microsoft Digital Defense Report

Human error remains one of the largest contributors to breaches.

Nonprofit staff, volunteers, and partners need:

• Phishing awareness

• Password hygiene training

• Safe data handling practices

• Clear guidelines around remote or hybrid work

The MDDR stresses that attackers are increasing the speed, sophistication, and social engineering quality of phishing campaigns, making ongoing training essential—not optional.

3. Create and Document Security Policies

“Organizations with documented security policies respond faster and recover faster.” — Microsoft Digital Defense Report

Consistent, written policies set expectations and reduce risk.

Key policies nonprofits should maintain include:

• Acceptable use

• Password and identity management

• Device and access control

• Incident response procedures

• Data classification and retention

The MDDR highlights that clear governance reduces the impact of breaches and improves organizational resilience.

4. Choose Technology Designed for How People Work

“Identity is the new attack surface.” — Microsoft Digital Defense Report

Nonprofits need tools that blend security + productivity.

Microsoft emphasizes deploying solutions that support real‑world nonprofit workflows such as:

• Volunteer onboarding

• Donation processing

• Sensitive constituent data management

• Cross‑organizational collaboration

Microsoft 365, with built‑in identity protection, encryption, threat detection, and AI‑powered safeguards, helps nonprofits stay protected without adding friction to daily operations.

5. Collaborate With Experienced Experts

“Security is a shared responsibility across governments, industry, and civil society.” — Microsoft Digital Defense Report

You don’t have to navigate cybersecurity alone.

Microsoft encourages nonprofits to leverage:

• Security Program for Nonprofits

• Free or discounted security assessments

• AccountGuard for nation‑state attack notifications

• Training paths and skilling opportunities for staff

These resources provide nonprofits with enterprise‑grade protection at nonprofit‑friendly prices.

Why This Matters: Nonprofits Are High‑Value Targets

“NGOs remain the most targeted sector by nation‑state actors.” — Microsoft Digital Defense Report

According to Microsoft’s research, nonprofits—especially NGOs—are targeted because they manage:

• Humanitarian data

• Political and demographic insights

• Sensitive community information

• High‑value donor and partner data

Breaches are costly not only financially, but also in terms of:

• Donor trust

• Staff productivity

• Program continuity

• Organizational reputation

Digital security isn’t just an IT responsibility—it’s central to mission protection.

Dive Deeper: Download Microsoft’s Free E‑book

This article highlights only a portion of what’s included in the Microsoft resource. For detailed checklists, leadership conversation starters, user training recommendations, and technology guidance, download the full e‑book here:

Strengthen Your Nonprofit’s Digital Security
https://aka.ms/StrengthenNonprofitDigitalSecurity

Safeguarding Trust: The Critical Role of Security in Today’s Nonprofits

Tiffiany — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:54:01 GMT

Nonprofits run on something deeper than funding, programs, or technology — they run on trust. Communities trust you with their stories, their data, and their wellbeing. Donors trust you to steward resources responsibly. Staff and volunteers trust you to create a safe environment where they can do their best work.

And in today’s digital world, protecting that trust starts with security.

Digital Tools Are Now Essential — and So Is Security

As nonprofits increasingly rely on cloud platforms, digital communication, and data-driven programs, the responsibility to safeguard information grows. Cyberthreats aren’t just an IT issue anymore; they’re a mission issue.

A single breach can disrupt services, compromise sensitive data, and erode the trust that took years to build. But strong security doesn’t have to be complicated or out of reach.

Security Should Be Accessible for Every Nonprofit

Nonprofits deserve security solutions that are:

Strong enough to defend against evolving threats
Simple enough for small teams to manage
Affordable enough to fit within limited budgets
Aligned with the mission, not a distraction from it

When your systems and data are protected, your team can focus on what matters most — delivering impact with confidence.

Keep Your Mission Moving Forward

Security isn’t just about reducing risk. It’s about empowering your organization to operate boldly, innovate freely, and serve your community without hesitation.

That’s why taking the first step toward stronger security is so important.

Is Your Nonprofit Prepared to Level Up Its Security?

Discover how to strengthen your nonprofit’s security — visit Microsoft Nonprofits for LinkedIn to watch the video and take the free assessment.

Your mission deserves protection. Your community deserves confidence.

Take the first step today by heading to LinkedIn!

Comprehensive Security in the Era of AI: What Nonprofits Need to Know Now

Tiffiany — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:25:59 GMT

Artificial intelligence is transforming the nonprofit landscape, opening new doors for impact while also introducing new responsibilities. As organizations work tirelessly to support communities, protect vulnerable populations, and steward limited resources, it’s more important than ever to ensure AI is used safely, ethically, and securely.

Microsoft’s guide, Comprehensive Security in the Era of AI, offers nonprofits a clear, compassionate roadmap for navigating this moment of change. Below is a mission‑focused summary of the guide’s key insights and how they apply directly to the nonprofit sector.

AI Is Accelerating Change—And Expanding Risk

AI is introducing powerful new capabilities for nonprofits: automating manual tasks, enhancing team collaboration, analyzing data more quickly, and enabling more personalized engagement with communities.

But the guide highlights a critical truth: AI also expands the attack surface. Patterns such as identity compromise, prompt manipulation, model poisoning, shadow AI, or unsecured integrations can introduce risk if organizations don’t have the right controls in place.

Nonprofits must therefore take a proactive approach to securing AI-powered workflows.

Pivoting to a Proactive Security Strategy

To keep pace with emerging AI‑driven threats, the guide encourages nonprofits to adopt a forward‑looking, preventive approach to security. This includes:

Strengthening identity protections (MFA, Conditional Access, least privilege)
Securing data sources that feed AI systems
Building policies around responsible AI use
Creating guardrails for staff interacting with new AI tools
Monitoring threats continuously instead of relying on periodic reviews

This shift helps nonprofits stay ahead of evolving risks—rather than responding only after harm occurs.

Three Essentials for Safe and Responsible AI Adoption

Microsoft highlights three foundational requirements for nonprofits seeking to build trust, uphold their mission, and maintain resilience in an AI‑driven future:

Comprehensive Security Controls - Security must encompass the entire AI lifecycle—from the data you collect to the insights AI tools generate. Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Entra, and Microsoft Purview bring together controls that protect identities, devices, apps, and data across your organization.
Strong Compliance & Governance - Nonprofits steward some of the most sensitive data in the world. Maintaining privacy, compliance, and responsible AI governance is crucial. Purview’s data classification, labeling, and lifecycle management help ensure sensitive information stays protected.
Clear Risk Mitigation Strategies - To use AI confidently, nonprofits need safeguards such as secure deployment practices, proper access management, incident response planning, and defenses against adversarial manipulation or misuse.

Together, these pillars create a safe environment for innovation.

Building an AI‑Ready Foundation With Microsoft 365

The guide emphasizes that secure AI adoption begins with strong digital fundamentals. Microsoft 365 supports nonprofits by enabling them to:

Manage identities and access
Automate device and patch management
Classify and protect sensitive data
Detect threats early
Build a resilient security posture

By hardening the basics, nonprofits create a strong foundation for safe AI adoption.

Securing AI-Powered Productivity With Copilot

Microsoft 365 Copilot introduces enormous efficiency potential—but nonprofits must ensure:

Only trained staff use it
Data shared with Copilot is properly classified
Outputs are reviewed for accuracy
AI usage aligns with safety, privacy, and beneficiary‑protection principles

In short: AI should support your mission, never compromise it.

Why This Matters for Nonprofits

Nonprofits hold the trust of donors, partners, and—most importantly—the communities they serve. At the same time, the sector’s limited budgets and growing digital footprints make organizations especially vulnerable to attack.

A secure AI strategy allows organizations to:

Increase productivity
Protect donor and beneficiary trust
Reduce operational risk
Innovate safely
Maintain compliance with regulatory and ethical standards

Security is not just an IT function—it’s core to protecting your mission.

Learn More

This blog only scratches the surface of the insights in Microsoft’s e‑book. To dive deeper into securing your AI journey, register for the free full guide here: Comprehensive Security in the Era of AI. It includes practical frameworks, best practices, and Microsoft tools designed specifically to help nonprofits operate securely in the age of AI.

Honoring Women Innovators: How Marisa Redd Is Expanding Childcare Access Through Technology

Tiffiany — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:15:46 GMT

This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating a leader who is using technology to open doors for families and strengthen her community. In Austin, access to childcare remains one of the biggest challenges facing working parents—and Marisa Redd, Senior Director at the Greater Austin YMCA, is helping reshape what’s possible.

Reimagining Early Learning in Austin

With Marisa's help, the YMCA introduced Tomorrow Academy, a forward‑thinking early learning model built to increase the availability of high‑quality, affordable childcare across the region. Supported by digital tools like Microsoft Teams, the organization has transformed how staff connect, coordinate, and share expertise.

For the first time, teams across multiple centers can collaborate in real time, streamline program delivery, and scale services more efficiently bringing much‑needed childcare options to more families.

Leadership That Moves Communities Forward

Marisa’s work shows how technology, paired with mission‑driven leadership, can help solve complex community challenges. By modernizing communication and strengthening operational agility, she and her team are expanding opportunity for families who rely on accessible, dependable childcare.

This International Women’s Day, we’re proud to recognize women like Marisa—leaders who are driving innovation, empowering communities, and creating lasting impact. To learn more about Marisa's story and the wonderful work of Greater Austin YMCA, please visit: Microsoft for Nonprofit LinkedIn.

Why Nonprofit Security Needs Urgent Attention

Tiffiany — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:06:49 GMT

Nonprofits are facing a rapidly evolving security landscape. Cyberattacks are becoming faster, more targeted, and more sophisticated—driven in part by AI tools that make it easier for threat actors to automate reconnaissance, personalize phishing, and exploit vulnerabilities. Many nonprofits don’t discover breaches for months, leaving sensitive data and mission‑critical operations at risk.

At the same time, nonprofits working in humanitarian aid, human rights, health, and advocacy are becoming more visible in a tense global environment. According to the 2025 Microsoft Digital Defense Report, nongovernmental organizations are now among the sectors most frequently targeted by nation‑state actors, often more than finance or healthcare.

Yet nonprofits often have the fewest resources to defend themselves, despite holding highly sensitive information about donors, volunteers, and the communities they serve.

How Microsoft Is Responding

Microsoft is evolving the Security Program for Nonprofits into a practical, step‑by‑step security journey designed for real nonprofit constraints. Key elements include:

• Free security assessments to identify risks and build a prioritized roadmap

• Grants and discounts through Microsoft Elevate, including 60% off security suites

• Microsoft AccountGuard for enhanced nation‑state threat monitoring

• The Security Advisors Program for direct engagement with Microsoft experts

• Security skilling to help teams detect and respond to threats more effectively

The goal is simple: make strong security achievable, affordable, and aligned with mission needs.

Read the Full Article

This post summarizes key insights from the original LinkedIn article. You can read the full piece here: Microsoft for Nonprofits.

Don’t Get Locked Out: Why Every Organization Needs Emergency Access Accounts

Tiffiany — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:56:47 GMT

When systems fail—or when administrators suddenly lose access—the ability to regain control quickly can determine whether your nonprofit continues delivering essential services or faces major disruption. Emergency Access Accounts (also known as break‑glass accounts) give you a crucial safety net, ensuring your team can restore services, manage users, and adjust security settings even when normal admin access is unavailable.

This updated guide explains why these accounts are vital, how to configure them correctly, and how nonprofits can secure them within Microsoft Entra ID.

Why Emergency Access Accounts Matter

In our previous discussion, we highlighted that resilience starts with preparation. If your primary admin accounts become locked out due to MFA issues, Conditional Access misconfigurations, outages, or human error, break‑glass accounts are your only guaranteed path to recovery.

To function safely and effectively, these accounts must be:

Highly secure
Isolated from daily operations
Able to bypass standard access controls
Protected with passwordless authentication (Passkeys/FIDO2, certificates, Windows Hello)

And every organization—nonprofit or otherwise—should maintain at least two for redundancy and continuity.

Best Practices for Nonprofits Creating Emergency Access Accounts

Before setting up a break‑glass account, review these nonprofit‑aligned security practices:

1. Use Non‑Obvious Naming

Avoid predictable names like "breakglass" or "emergencyadmin."
Use neutral, coded names known only to trusted administrators.

2. Create Cloud‑Only Accounts

Do not sync these accounts from on‑premises directories.
Cloud‑only accounts remain available even if local infrastructure goes down.

3. Don’t Assign Licenses

Licenses add unnecessary exposure.
Break‑glass accounts should not use email, Teams, or any cloud workloads.

4. Don’t Link the Account to a Real Person

These accounts belong to the organization, not an individual.
Avoid personal MFA methods like individual phones or emails.

5. Enforce Strong Password Standards

32‑character complex password (minimum)
Rotate securely twice per year
Do not reuse passwords
Store them under a tightly governed, documented process

6. Disable Password Expiration

If passwords auto‑expire, the account can break at the worst time.
Rotate manually under a secure, audited process.

7. Exclude From Conditional Access Policies

Break‑glass accounts must still work even when Conditional Access doesn’t.
Exclude them from any policy that might block sign‑in.

8. Assign Permanent Global Administrator Role

Emergency accounts need always‑on permissions.
Do not use PIM‑eligible roles or time‑restricted activation.

How to Create an Emergency Access Account in Microsoft Entra ID

Step 1 — Create the Account

Open Microsoft Entra Admin Center.
Navigate to Entra ID → Users → All users.
Select + New user → Create new user.
Use the .onmicrosoft.com domain.
Ensure Account enabled is selected.
Set the Usage location.

7. Assign the Global Administrator role.

8. Review and create.

Repeat the steps to establish a second emergency account as needed.

Step 2 — Enable Passwordless Authentication

Break‑glass accounts should always be secured using passwordless methods:

Passkeys (FIDO2)
Certificate‑based authentication (CBA)

How to Enable FIDO2 Passkeys

Go to: Entra ID → Security → Authentication methods → Policies → FIDO2 Security Key
Enable FIDO2 if not already enabled and click Save.

How to Enable Certificate‑Based Authentication (CBA)

Step 1 — Upload Your Certificate Authority

Entra Admin Center → Entra ID → Certificate authorities
Upload your Root CA
Mark as Root CA (if applicable)
Add any intermediate CAs
Provide the CRL (Certificate Revocation List) URL for revocation checks
1. This is required so Entra can check for revoked certificates

Step 2 — Turn on Certificate‑Based Authentication

Go to: Entra ID → Authentication methods → Policies
Choose Certificate‑based authentication

3. Switch Enable → On

4. Under Include, target only your break‑glass accounts

Conclusion

Emergency access accounts aren’t just a security measure—they’re an operational safeguard that protects your mission. When the unexpected happens, these accounts ensure your organization can recover quickly and continue serving your community.