Microsoft 365 Business Premium grant is being discontinued
UPDATED: Microsoft sent affected nonprofit organisations an email similar to the below on Wednesday/Thursday 14/15th May announcing that Microsoft 365 Business Premium grant is being discontinued. A similar message was sent out regarding the end of the Office 365 E1 grant offer. Microsoft have provided the following further information: Partner FAQ: https://partner.microsoft.com/en-AU/asset/collection/microsoft-365-business-premium-and-office-365-e1-grant-discontinuation#/ Partner office hours: ANNOUNCEMENT: Microsoft 365 Business Premium & Office 365 E1 grant discontinuation | Microsoft Community Hub Blog: Transitioning from Microsoft 365 Business Premium to Business Basic: What Nonprofits Need to Know | Microsoft Community Hub A small Canadian-based nonprofit has set up a change.org petition asking Microsoft to reconsider the decision: https://www.change.org/p/urge-microsoft-to-continue-grant-program-for-nonprofits Information about the difference between Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard and Premium can be found here: Visual: https://m365maps.com/files/Microsoft-365-Business-All.htm Checklist: https://m365maps.com/matrix.htm#000111000000000000000
Read about changes to the grants provided by Microsoft Philanthropies and Links to FAQs
Dear Valued Partner: Ten years after we launched the first Office 365 Nonprofit cloud grant for the nonprofit sector, Microsoft Philanthropies remains committed to doubling the number of nonprofits that we support with the Microsoft Cloud. To ensure we’re maximizing the number of nonprofits that we can support with granted technology, we’re refreshing our grant strategy and updating our grant portfolio with these changes below. As a nonprofit partner, it is important for you to be aware of these changes as customers may reach out to you. Please find below the customer message, links to FAQs and the Azure nonprofit partner playbook to help you prepare for these potential customer conversations. Thank you. The Tech for Social Impact Team Azure Grant Update Effective October 1, 2023, the Azure grant is now USD2,000. You’ll no longer be able to renew at the previous Azure grant level, and at the next grant renewal on or after October 1, 2023, you’ll be granted USD2,000 of Azure sponsorship credits annually as long as you remain eligible to receive such grants. Provided below is a link to FAQs about the Azure grant changes. Azure Grant FAQ link Provided below is a link to the Azure Nonprofit Partner Playbook. We encourage you to use the Azure playbook as it includes: An overview of the benefits that you can realize from selling Azure solutions to nonprofits. Frameworks, solution plays, and resources to help you sell to and support the unique needs of nonprofits. Azure Nonprofit Partner Playbook Dynamics 365 Enterprise Grant Effective October 1, 2023, the Dynamics 365 Sales Enterprise grant will end. At your next subscription renewal on or after October 1, 2023, the price for the five granted licenses of Dynamics Sales Enterprise will increase from USD0 to the standard nonprofit discounted price. The nonprofit customers have been made aware of these changes. Act now to prepare your nonprofit customers. Please proactively reach out to your nonprofit customers to alert them to the fact that they are moving to a higher paid SKU and to assist them in any technology needs that they may have. D365 FAQ link If you and/or your nonprofit customers have questions about these changes, please contact us.NEWSLETTER: Nonprofit Partner Community Update | September 2025
Welcome to the September Edition of the Microsoft Elevate Nonprofit Partner Community Update! Download the Nonprofit Partner Community Update | September 2025! Here’s what you'll find this month: FY26 Microsoft Elevate Nonprofit Partner Kickoff. Register to join us for the official launch of FY26! This virtual event will equip you with strategic insights, tools, and direction to accelerate nonprofit impact and innovation. New Nonprofit Events Website. Explore the newly launched customer-facing site that aggregates free virtual and in-person events hosted by Microsoft and select partners. Filter by region, topic, audience role, and more. Promote Your Event on Microsoft.com/Nonprofits. Submit your partner-led events for inclusion on Microsoft’s nonprofit event calendar and amplify your reach through our demand generation engine. FY26 End Customer Investment Funds (ECIF) Program. Microsoft’s FY26 ECIF program enables partners to deliver high-impact services that accelerate solution adoption and customer success—at no cost to the customer.Suggestions for improving the nonprofit grants and discount program
Over the last few years, a number of changes to the grants and discount program have taken a bit of the shine off the program (removal of Dynamics 365 Sales grants, Business Premium, Power BI Premium, retirement of Fundraising and Engagement). I wanted to offer some suggestions based on feedback from nonprofits and partners on small changes that could make an improvement to the program. Allow all nonprofit staff (including contracted staff) and volunteers to use grant offers (i.e. allowing nonprofits to assign granted Business Basic licences to volunteers) Increase the Microsoft 365 Copilot discount - many nonprofits still find the discounted cost prohibitively high Replace the 10 free 'Power Apps per app' with 10 free 'Power Apps Premium' - encouraging nonprofits to use the Power Platform more. Broaden your eligibility criteria to include Social Enterprises such as Community Interest Companies in the UK, Social Traders in Australia, etc Provide nonprofit staff and volunteers with free certification exams for foundational level topics (Microsoft 365, Azure, Power Platform, etc) Let's make the program a leader in the sector again, especially for the smaller, resource-constrained nonprofits that do so much good. Thanks MattNEWSLETTER: Nonprofit Partner Community Update | December 2025
We’re excited to share the December edition of the Nonprofit Partner Community Update. This month’s release highlights major events, new resources, and actionable opportunities for nonprofit partners. Download the Nonprofit Partner Community Update | December 2025 Discover the latest partner resources, program launches, and inspiring success stories in the November Nonprofit Partner Community Update—designed to help you accelerate impact and growth in the nonprofit sector. Don’t miss new opportunities, practical tools, and highlights from Microsoft Ignite to energize your work! 🔍 What’s Inside: Nonprofit data solutions in Microsoft Fabric Event Nonprofit data solutions in Microsoft Fabric Resources Introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot Business Nonprofit Partner of the Year Award Announcement Customer Success | World Vision GermanyREGISTER: Nonprofit data solutions in Microsoft Fabric event - Dec 9
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Nonprofit data solutions in Microsoft Fabric – a breakthrough in scalable data management and analytics designed specifically for nonprofits! Join us at one of the following Microsoft Elevate nonprofit partner sessions to discover how Microsoft Fabric can help your nonprofit customer: ✅ Accelerate impact with unified, AI-ready data ✅ Unlock insights for stronger fundraising and mission success ✅ Expand opportunities in the $48B+ data & analytics market Register | Session 1: Americas / EMEA regions Date: December 9, 2025 Time: 8:00 AM PST / 4:00 PM GMT Register | Session 2: ANZ / Asia regions Date: December 9, 2025 / December 10, 2025 Time: 4:00 PM PST / 11:00 AM AEDT Why it matters Fabric empowers nonprofits with secure, scalable infrastructure, advanced analytics, and AI-powered capabilities to unify data, automate processes, and drive strategic outcomes. Go-to-market resources We’re excited to provide the following suite of Go-To-Market resources designed to help nonprofit partners accelerate impact and deliver greater value to their nonprofit customers: Core Content Resources E-book | Harnessing Your Data to Drive Nonprofit Mission Success Framework | Microsoft Fabric Unified Analytics for Data-Driven Innovation One Pager | Unify Your Data Platform to Accelerate Nonprofit Impact Pitch Deck | Unify Your Data Platform Nonprofit Data Solutions in Microsoft Fabric Resources Campaign-in-a-Box Resources E-book Template | Fuel Your Nonprofit Acceleration: Unlock Opportunity from Your Data Email Template | Fuel Your Nonprofit Acceleration: Unlock Opportunity from Your Data One Pager Template | Unify Your Data Platform to Accelerate Nonprofit Impact By using these resources, partners can quickly position themselves as trusted advisors, accelerate solution adoption, and help nonprofits overcome data silos, automate processes, and unlock actionable insights. This means stronger donor engagement, smarter fundraising strategies, and measurable mission impact—all powered by Microsoft Fabric.NEWSLETTER: Nonprofit Partner Community Update | November 2025
We’re excited to share the November edition of the Nonprofit Partner Community Update! This month’s release highlights major events, new resources, and actionable opportunities for nonprofit partners. Download the Nonprofit Partner Community Update | November 2025! Discover the latest partner resources, program launches, and inspiring success stories in the November Nonprofit Partner Community Update—designed to help you accelerate impact and growth in the nonprofit sector. Don’t miss new opportunities, practical tools, and highlights from Microsoft Ignite to energize your work! 🔍 What’s Inside: Microsoft Ignite: Major annual event for technology and nonprofit leaders. FY26 Nonprofit Partner Kickoff: Launch of new resources and programs for partners. FY26 EMEA Nonprofit + Education Partner Kickoff: Regional priorities and collaboration highlights. Azure for Nonprofit: Latest solutions and strategies for nonprofit organizations. Demand Generation Resources: New tools to help partners drive engagement and growth. Getting Started with AI Agents: Guidance for nonprofits adopting AI-powered workflows. The Salvation Army UK & Ireland Customer Success Story: Real-world impact of Microsoft solutions in nonprofit transformation.REGISTER NOW: Microsoft Ignite 2025 – Supporting Nonprofit Innovation
Register today to attend either in-person or online! We’re excited to invite our nonprofit partners to join us at Microsoft Ignite 2025, where innovation meets impact! Ignite is Microsoft’s flagship event for technologists, partners, and decision-makers. This year, it’s bigger than ever—with 17,000 in-person attendees and over 200,000 expected online. For nonprofit partners, Ignite offers: ✅ Skilling & Training: Deep dive into Microsoft technologies tailored to nonprofit needs ✅ Networking: Connect with peers, partners, and Microsoft experts ✅ Partner Growth: Explore new opportunities to build and scale your impact ✅ Recognition: Celebrate Partner of the Year winners and join exclusive receptions Explore session catalog Dates & Locations 📍In-Person: November 18–21, 2025 (optional pre-day Nov. 17) | Location: Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA 💻 Online: November 18–20, 2025 🔗 Register now! Whether you’re attending in person or online, Ignite is your chance to fuel your mission with the latest tools, insights, and community support. Let’s make this year’s Ignite unforgettable for the nonprofit sector. Register today and spread the word!NEWSLETTER: Nonprofit Partner Community Update | October 2025
We’re excited to announce the release of the October 2025 edition of the Nonprofit Partner Community Update! Download the Nonprofit Partner Community Update | October 2025! This month’s publication is packed with new resources, program announcements, and partner enablement opportunities designed to support your success in the nonprofit sector. 🔍 What’s Inside: FY26 Nonprofit Partner Kickoff Resources – including session recordings, decks, and a feedback survey. Partner Readiness & Demand Generation Programs – six Microsoft Elevate initiatives to accelerate awareness and growth. Campaign-in-a-Box – ready-to-use marketing assets for nonprofit outreach. Updated Nonprofit Partner Readiness Site – now featuring simplified navigation and new AI-powered solution plays. Partner Marketing-as-a-Service (PMaaS) and Event Co-Marketing Programs – to help amplify your impact. New Nonprofit Events Site – a centralized hub for discovering free virtual and in-person events. New Nonprofit Validation Partner – Microsoft has partnered with Goodstack to streamline eligibility verification. Featured Customer Success Story & Resource Materials – real-world examples of nonprofit transformation with resources to replicate your own success. 📄 Read more ...ANNOUNCEMENT: Introducing Goodstack, new nonprofit validation partner
Microsoft has partnered with Goodstack, a third-party validation supplier, to verify the eligibility of nonprofit organizations, public libraries, and public museums. Eligibility criteria. The eligibility validation process is based on criteria provided by Microsoft and uses publicly available and locally relevant information, along with the details you submit during registration. Review eligibility criteria. Eligibility validation process. Goodstack will compare this information against Microsoft’s nonprofit eligibility requirements. As needed, Goodstack may reach out directly to agents or organizational contacts to request additional documentation to complete the validation process. Questions? The Microsoft Elevate support team is available to answer any questions about Goodstack and the eligibility validation process. Submit an inquiry.
