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 | 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.REGISTER: FY26 Microsoft Elevate Nonprofit Partner Kickoff | Sept 10th
REMINDER - Join us for the FY26 Microsoft Elevate Nonprofit Virtual Partner Kickoff taking place on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 - This event is your launchpad into a year of opportunity, innovation, and impact! This event is designed to equip you and partner ecosystem, with strategic insights, actionable tools, and direction needed to lead and grow this year: Discover what’s new with Microsoft Elevate Gain clarity on the FY26 priorities Learn how to align your business to drive greater customer value and market momentum. REGISTER for the date that best fits your region and feel free to forward this invite to your teams: AMERICAS/EMEA SESSION 📍 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 🕚 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM PDT 🌐 Register for virtual event ASIA SESSION 📍 Thursday, September 11, 2025 🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM AEST 🌐 Register for virtual event Let's Build Momentum together for a transformative FY26!NEWSLETTER: Nonprofit Partner Community Update | August 2025
Welcome to the August Edition of the Nonprofit Partner Community Update — Now Microsoft Elevate! Download the Nonprofit Partner Community Update for August 2025! Formerly known as the Tech for Social Impact (TSI) Community Update, we’re excited to introduce Microsoft Elevate — a new name and renewed focus to better support and amplify your nonprofit impact. This monthly update is designed to keep you informed, inspired, and equipped with the latest tools and opportunities. Here’s what’s in store this month: Welcome to FY26: Introducing Microsoft Elevate Discover what’s ahead and how Elevate will empower your mission. FY26 H1 Partner Brief Key updates and strategic priorities for the first half of the fiscal year. Microsoft AI Tour Explore how AI is transforming the nonprofit sector and how you can get involved. Nonprofit Partner Success Kit A curated set of resources to help you thrive in FY26. Nonprofit Events Calendar Stay connected with upcoming events, trainings, and networking opportunities. Nonprofit Partner Social Media Amplify your voice and engage with the community online.ANNOUNCEMENT: New solution landing page
Solution Center transition On May 30, 2025, the deployment of several nonprofit industry solutions will move from Solution Center to Microsoft AppSource and Power Platform Admin Center. A new centralized landing page has been created for you to learn more about the solutions including how to deploy, use and extend. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/industry/nonprofit/ What’s new Solution cards – Each solution has a dedicated card with a summary, deployment links, GitHub references, and usage guidance. Centralized content – Content is be hosted on the Microsoft Learn about the various solutions. Deployment change – For solutions that require deployment, this will be provided in AppSource.ANNOUNCEMENT: Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations Licensing Update
As part of our continued efforts to support customers in achieving license compliance, please take note of the following key dates and actions related to the Improved User License Validation initiative: 👥 Who should attend Dynamics 365 ERP practice leads Dynamics 365 ERP marketing, sales, and commercial leads Dynamics 365 ERP partner alliance leads 📖 Prep Review Simplifying License Management for Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations Review On-demand Landing Call (May 6) Attend the Office Hours on May 13th and 20th for live Q&A session. Note: You must have attended either the live or on-demand session of the Landing Call to receive an invitation to an Office Hours session. For more information or questions, reach out to the Dynamics 365 Community.
