Goodstack-Validated Nonprofit Rejected After Forced Resubmission — No Escalation Path
I am posting this because Microsoft Elevate frontline support told me there are no further escalation paths available, and I believe this may affect other nonprofits. Timeline of facts: - June 19, 2026: Goodstack, Microsoft's authorized validation partner, confirmed our nonprofit (Opera Verace Foundation, EIN 33-2305878, California 501(c)(3)) was approved for Microsoft nonprofit grants and discounts. - June 23, 2026: Microsoft Elevate support informed me the original application was in an unrecoverable system error state due to an unrecoverable error in their system, and they instructed me to resubmit under a different email address. I only had one email directed to my business email and asked if I could use a Yahoo email. - June 30, 2026: The same Elevate representative confirmed in email to me that using a Yahoo email address as a temporary workaround was fully supported and "the correct and supported path forward." - July 2026: A different Microsoft Validation Team (not the one I had worked with originally) rejected the resubmission (likely due to use of a yahoo.com email as my business email address) and demanded documents not listed in the published eligibility requirements, including a bank statement. They stated the original Goodstack approval cannot be reinstated. - When I pointed out that Goodstack's validation was never rescinded, that my organization's nonprofit status can be confirmed on propublica online, and that the resubmission existed solely due to Microsoft's own system error and instructions, I was told this was a determination of another team and no further escalation paths exist. The core issue: Goodstack validated our organization on Microsoft's behalf. Microsoft's own system error forced resubmission. Microsoft's own representative authorized the (incorrect) workaround in writing. The Validation Team is now treating the workaround submission as a brand new independent submission requiring extraordinary measures for re-validation, ignoring the Goodstack validation, ignoring the request to check propublica, and ignoring the fact that thier reuest for additional documents is nowhere to be found in Microsoft's own document requirements in Microsoft's published nonprofit eligibility policies. Ticket number: 2606210040000788 Is anyone at Microsoft able to escalate this to someone with authority over the Validation Team? Has anyone else encountered this after being directed to use a personal email for resubmission?
Investing in the sector to create digital equity
Most major donors and grant-makers want their gift to be high impact and often restrict use of their funds for operations or infrastructure. How will Microsoft and other tech companies ensure digital equity in the third sector when scarcity is so widespread and fundraising is only getting harder?Brad Smith: Leadership in the era of responsible AI
Today, Brad Smith opens the Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit with a conversation on responsible AI at this critical moment in tech transformation. The intersection of government, corporations and nonprofits has never been more important to solving some of the biggest challenges the world is facing. What leadership practices will you incorporate to make sure your organization is ready for the AI revolution? Respond to Brad's insights and add your own ideas and questions here! Thanks for being a part of the Summit.Afua Bruce and Jared Spataro: What is AI? Is it For Everyone?
Jared Spataro, Microsoft CVP, Modern Work & Business Applications, Afua Bruce, Founder and Principal, ANB Advisory, and Justin Spelhaug, Vice President & Global Head Tech for Social Impact, Microsoft Philanthropies, will talk about envisioning AI grounded in equitable access, responsible AI principles, and inclusion. How are you thinking about equitable AI at your organization? How do you address concerns around inclusive training and access? Respond to Afua's and Jared's insights and add your own ideas and questions here! Thanks for being a part of the Summit.
How valuable would a Nonprofit Check Plus API be for validating nonprofit status?
Would a Nonprofit Check Plus API make it easier for an organization to verify a nonprofit before making a donation or starting a partnership? I would like to know why people specifically prefer to use it and the advantages if any. Are there alternatives to the same means?Discontinuation of M365 Business Premium Grant Deeply Disappointing,Harmful to Small Nonprofits
As a Microsoft CSP partner supporting multiple nonprofit organizations, I am extremely disappointed by the decision to discontinue the Microsoft 365 Business Premium grant. This change disproportionately affects small nonprofits that rely on these tools to fulfill their missions with limited resources. The justification that this is about “alignment” or “sustainability” is disingenuous. Let’s be honest—this is a revenue-driven decision that undermines Microsoft’s long-standing commitment to empowering nonprofits. Removing access to essential tools like Office desktop apps and Intune from the grant program forces small organizations into paid plans they cannot afford, jeopardizing their operations and security. Microsoft has built goodwill in the nonprofit sector over the years. This move erodes that trust. I urge you to reconsider this decision or at least provide a longer transition period and more flexible options for small nonprofits. Please do better. The nonprofit sector deserves more than a corporate cost-cutting maneuver disguised as a strategic realignment.
Join the Microsoft 365 Conference April 30-May 2
& Dolphin | April 30 - May 2, 2024 | Register today: aka.ms/M365Conf24 The Microsoft 365 Community Conference is happening in Orlando, Florida April 30-May 2, 2024. This event for Microsoft 365 and Copilot enthusiasts offers over 150 sessions for you to explore AI innovations and elevate your productivity, creativity, and collaboration. At the Microsoft 365 Community Conference, you can: Discover the latest innovations in AI and learn best practices from Microsoft’s product makers to boost your productivity, creativity, and collaboration. Build your Microsoft 365 skills and knowledge through hands-on demos and interactive workshops that will equip you with the tools you need to take your work to the next level. Network with thousands of Microsoft experts, industry leaders, and the community. Register now to advance your expertise and career at this transformative event: aka.ms/m365conf24regWatch the Fireside Chat with Kate Behncken and Vilas Dhar and join us for an AMA
What does the future of AI hold for nonprofits? Find out on Thurs, March 14th at 9:00 AM PT and join us for a Future of AI for Nonprofits AMA! Watch the premiere of the Fireside Chat with Kate Behncken and Vilas Dhar from the Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit and participate in a live Q&A with speakers from the Patrick McGovern Foundation and members on the Microsoft Philanthropies team about how AI will change the future for nonprofits. Head over to the event page and start posting your questions now! Future of AI for Nonprofits AMA with Patrick J. McGovern FoundationDay 2 session: Pivoting fast with responsible AI
Once you've laid the foundation of what AI is and how to get started, what's next for your organization on its AI integration journey? The panel on day two features a conversation on how to responsible AI into practice with: Jaime Teevan, Chief Scientist, Microsoft Natasha Crampton, Chief Responsible AI Officer, Microsoft Rebecca Finlay, CEO, Partnership on AI Keep exploring the research and resources shared in today's session: AI Rules of the Road for 2024 from Rebecca Finlay and the Partnership on AI Jamie Teevan's team's research on Future of Work: The New Future of Work - Microsoft Research A recent round up of responsible AI research from Natasha Crampton's team - Advancing transparency: Updates on responsible AI research - Microsoft Research AI across MS Research: AI and Microsoft Research - Microsoft Research Explore more research on policy and practices from OECD.AI. As nonprofit organization, are you "pivoting fast" towards AI? How are you incorporating AI governance and responsible practices as you respond to AI opportunities? Let us know what you thought of the conversation and add your experiences and insights here.
