Creating A Nonprofit Support Ticket
The marvels of innovation have revolutionized the way we work and connect with the world, delivering technological advancements that make life more efficient and communication seamless. However, technology isn’t always perfect. What happens when your software throws you a curveball? Picture this: you’re managing your Microsoft Nonprofit account, but an issue arises. Perhaps you are still waiting for your Azure Sponsorship email for next steps. Where do you turn for answers and support when things don’t go as planned? Contacting Microsoft Nonprofit Support You may already be familiar with Microsoft's Nonprofit Hub when you initially signed up. If not, you can apply to Microsoft's Nonprofit Philanthropy Program. You can also contact support related to your Microsoft Nonprofit Account no matter if you are a prospective or current customer. You can follow the instructions below to create a support ticket. Instructions Navigate to Microsoft Nonprofit Hub Contact Us Scroll to the "How can we help" section of the page. Write a brief description of the issue within 80 to 100 characters in the search bar, then press the "Get help" button. Depending on your response, you will see a solution. If these do not help, continue to the "Get more help" section. Fill out your contact information and select the most relevant answer under the "I am a" and "What can we help you with" Sections. Lastly, continue filling out the description of the issue under the "How can we help" section minus the character limit. Your support ticket has been created. Please keep the Request Id for future reference. You will receive an email confirmation once your ticket is processed. Additionally, you will be contacted via phone and email when a Nonprofit Support Engineer is assigned to your ticket. Additional Resources: Getting Signed Up with Microsoft Nonprofits Program | Microsoft Community Hub Microsoft Nonprofit Hub | Contact UsHow to Install Microsoft 365 on Windows
Ready to get the most out of Microsoft 365 on your Windows PC? Whether you’re installing for the first time or need a refresher, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of downloading, installing, and activating Microsoft 365 in just a few simple steps. Get started and unlock the full potential of Office today.Renewing Your Azure Sponsorship Credits
Everything is an experiment until it has a deadline. That gives it a destination, context, and a reason. - Brian Eno British Record Producer, Composer, and Composer Brian Eno is no stranger to a deadline. Whether it is a atmospheric ambient track or theatric thriller. Music means tight deadlines to get streams, concerts, and albums pressed. So, naturally nonprofits also understand the siren song of a deadline vastly approaching. Microsoft prides itself on creating convenience for its customers with auto-renewals, workflows, you name it. However, there are sometimes when you may need to mark a calendar or two for keeping your benefits. This is imperative to avoid fees for anything running in your environment. Nonprofits who have claimed the generous annual $2000 Azure Sponsorship Credits will need to renew their benefits every year. Unfortunately, the credits do not renew on their own. Don't panic we got you covered. In this blog we will cover; how to see if you are up for a renewal, how to renew credits, and checking your balance and usage details. This comprehensive guide will keep you from missing a deadline, well when it comes to your credits that is. So, let's begin. To Renew or Not to Renew I will spare you the cliche of reciting the Sonnet 116 from Shakespeare. However, I will say that it is better to check if you need to renew than to acquire a fee. So, we will cover how you can check on the status of your Azure Sponsorship Subscription with the Nonprofit Hub. Grab a snack and pop by the portal with your Microsoft Nonprofit Account Credentials. Checking Your Status Navigate to Microsoft's Nonprofit Hub: https://nonprofit.microsoft.com. Next, In the top left corner next to the word "Nonprofits" click on the "I am looking for" dropdown menu, then select "Azure." In the new screen at the top, you will see two important dates. The "Grant start date" and "Grant end date" respectfully. Keep a reminder on your calendar for the end date. You must renew your subscription withing the renewal period for your Azure credits. If it is time to new you will see a notification at the top to renew your credits. Renewing Credits If you need to renew your credits simply scroll to the bottom of the page and select the renew button. If should be under the first column under the number one. You will see at the top of the screen that your credits have been renewed. You will receive an email stating that you have renewed your Azure Credits. Things to Consider You may not see the option to renew if you are months away from your renewal date. Once you have renewed your sponsorship you will receive an email sent to your Microsoft Nonprofit Account. Make sure to check your Outlook inbox and spam folder for the notification email. Credits can be renewed by the Organization's Global Administrator that registered. If you have any issues with renewing your benefits create a support ticket with Nonprofit Support at https://nonprofit.microsoft.com/contactus. Checking Your Balance Navigate to Microsoft Azure Sponsorship website: https://www.microsoftazuresponsorships.com. Next, click on the "Check Your Balance" to see your sponsorship balance. Underneath is the view will see. You will see your Azure Sponsorship Subscription ID and the total Azure Sponsorship amount totaling $2000. You can also see the usage details as well for your subscription. This is a good way to check the costs being deducted from your sponsorship. If you need more in depth tools you can use Azure's Cost management tools inside the Azure portal. Conclusion In conclusion, the Azure Sponsorship grant affords organizations to take a chunk out of their operational expenses. Allowing for easier transitions into the cloud while keeping security and scale not too far off the horizon. We learned how to renew the benefit and keep track of your resources cost and not get blindsided by a fee again. You can bookmark the links below for your convenience. I hope you found this blog helpful. See you next time for another deep down into the blue Azure wave. Hyperlinks Microsoft Nonprofit Hub | Microsoft Nonprofit Offers Microsoft Azure Sponsorships | Welcome Renew an Azure nonprofit grant - Microsoft Cloud for Nonprofit | Microsoft LearnEmpowering Youth Through STEM and Motorsports with Rajah Caruth
Introduction We as Microsoft NTA are thrilled to announce our ongoing partnership with NASCAR driver Rajah Caruth, aimed at bridging the gap between STEM education and the exciting world of motorsports. This collaboration is part of our commitment to empowering nonprofits and educators to inspire the next generation of tech-savvy individuals. Our Partnership with Rajah Caruth Rajah Caruth, an American professional stock car racing driver, competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado RST for Spire Motorsports. Born on June 11, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia, Caruth has made significant strides in his racing career, including winning the 2024 Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Caruth is notable for being the third Black driver to win in one of NASCAR's three national series, joining Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace. He is also a product of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program. Racing with Rajah: A STEM Initiative Our collaboration has led to the development of the "Racing with Rajah" program, now available on the Microsoft Learn platform. This virtual program offers an immersive experience for students aged 12-15, exploring STEM concepts through the lens of motorsports. Supported by Microsoft, GM Motorsports, and Rajah Caruth, the program includes practical activities using Azure tools and covers topics such as physics, vehicle mechanics, and AI-driven race strategies. Nonprofit organizations have the flexibility to host the "Racing with Rajah" curriculum in-house or bring it directly to students through partnerships with local youth clubs and community-based initiatives. This program can be integrated into settings like Boys & Girls Clubs, Best Buy Teen Tech Centers™, local STEM camps, and after-school programs. Local community centers, libraries, and recreational facilities can also provide accessible venues for hosting the program, bringing STEM education directly to neighborhood students. Educators can integrate the curriculum into classroom activities, after-school programs, and STEM clubs, enriching students' learning experiences with real-world applications. Previous Events an Example of Use Case Recently, we had a successful event at the Martin Luther King Library in Washington, DC, where students from Schools Without Borders joined to learn more about the curriculum and experience a NASCAR truck simulator. This event showcased the practical applications of the "Racing with Rajah" program and provided an engaging hands-on experience for the students. Finish Line Rajah Caruth's journey is a testament to perseverance, diversity, and the power of collaboration. As we continue to support and work with Rajah, we are proud to be part of his story and contribute to the nonprofit tech community. We encourage nonprofits and educators to take advantage of the “ Racing with Rajah - Microsoft Learn Educator Center | Microsoft Learn” program to inspire and educate the next generation. Watch the impact in action—check out this LinkedIn post featuring a video from our Racing with Rajah partnership. After several years of collaborating with Microsoft and GM Motorsports, we officially launched the “How STEM Leads to Speed: Racing with Rajah” powered by Microsoft curriculum. | Roger Caruth, JD, Ph.D.Transitioning from Microsoft 365 Business Premium to Business Basic: What Nonprofits Need to Know
As Microsoft begins transitioning out the Business Premium grant for nonprofits, many organizations are reassessing their licensing needs therefore this is an opportunity to streamline operations and continue leveraging powerful tools with Microsoft 365 Business Basic. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ What Is Microsoft 365 Business Basic? Microsoft 365 Business Basic is a cloud-first productivity suite designed for organizations that don’t need desktop Office apps but still want access to essential collaboration and communication tools. It includes: ✅Web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook ✅Microsoft Teams for meetings, chat, and collaboration ✅Exchange Online with a 50 GB mailbox per user ✅OneDrive for Business with 1 TB of cloud storage ✅SharePoint Online for document management and team sites It’s a cost-effective solution for nonprofits looking to maintain productivity while reducing licensing expenses. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Change Microsoft has announced the retirement of the Business Premium grant, which previously provided eligible nonprofits with free access to premium features like desktop Office apps, Intune, and advanced security tools. As a result, many organizations are now exploring Business Basic as a cost-effective alternative. Note: If your organization decides to continue using Microsoft 365 Business Premium, you may be eligible for a discount of up to 75% through Microsoft’s nonprofit pricing. This can be a great option if you still need access to advanced features. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ How to Transition from Business Premium to Business Basic Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the switch smoothly: Step 1: Evaluate Your Current Usage Identify users who don’t need desktop apps or advanced security features. Use the Microsoft 365 admin center to review license assignments and usage patterns. Step 2: Purchase Business Basic Licenses Go to Microsoft 365 admin center > Billing > Purchase services. Select “Details” next to Microsoft 365 Business Basic and buy the number of licenses you need. Important: Although the process says “purchase,” eligible nonprofits receive the first 300 Business Basic licenses for free. You will not be charged for these licenses, even though they are added through the purchase flow. Step 3: Reassign Licenses Navigate to Users > Active users. For each user, go to Licenses and Apps, uncheck Business Premium, and check Business Basic. Save your changes. Step 4: Remove Unused Premium Licenses Once all users are reassigned, reduce or cancel your Business Premium licenses to avoid unnecessary charges. Go to Billing > Your Products Click on Microsoft 365 Business Premium, then click remove licenses Ensure that users have been unassigned licenses or that may cause an error Step 5: Communicate the Transition Let your team know what’s changing and what tools they’ll still have access to. Offer training or resources to help them adapt to web-based tools. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Business Premium vs Business Basic Comparison Feature Business Premium Business Basic Desktop versions of Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) ✅ ❌ Advanced security features (Microsoft Defender for Business, Microsoft Purview) ✅ ❌ Device management (via Microsoft Intune) ✅ ❌ Access and Publisher (PC only) ✅ ❌ Webinar hosting and attendee tools in Teams ✅ ❌ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ What You’ll Still Have with Business Basic Despite the changes, you’ll retain access to essential tools that support collaboration and productivity: Web and mobile versions of Office apps Microsoft Teams (chat, call, meet with up to 300 attendees) Business-class email with Exchange 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage SharePoint Standard security and support ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Making the Most of Microsoft 365 Business Basic Even without desktop apps, Business Basic offers a robust suite of tools to keep your team connected and productive: ✅ Web-Based Office Apps Use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook directly in your browser. Collaborate in real-time with colleagues on shared documents. ✅ Microsoft Teams Host virtual meetings, chat, and collaborate on files. Create channels for departments or projects to streamline communication. ✅ OneDrive and SharePoint Store and share files securely in the cloud. Use version history and co-authoring to improve productivity. ✅ Email and Calendar Access professional email with a 50 GB mailbox via Outlook on the web. Manage calendars and schedule meetings with ease. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Final Thoughts While the retirement of the Business Premium grant may require some adjustments, Microsoft 365 Business Basic still provides essential tools to help your nonprofit thrive. With thoughtful planning and a focus on cloud-based collaboration, you can continue to operate efficiently and make a meaningful impact—without breaking your budget.Microsoft 365 Admin Center Video Overview
In this quick walkthrough, I guide you through the essentials of the Microsoft 365 Admin Center—perfect for nonprofit tech leads and new admins. Whether you're adding users, or managing licenses, this video simplifies the admin experience to help you get started with confidence.How to Turn Off Teams Notifications During Meetings
How to Turn Off Teams Notifications During Meetings (and Avoid Awkward Pop-Ups While Sharing Your Screen) Introduction: We've all been there—you’re sharing your screen in a Microsoft Teams meeting, and a chat notification pops up from a coworker, your manager, or even worse… your group chat. While Microsoft Teams doesn’t automatically suppress all notifications during meetings or screen sharing, you can take control of what appears and when. In this post, I’ll show you a few easy ways to keep notifications silent and off-screen while you're presenting, focusing, or just trying to stay distraction-free. Do Notifications Automatically Mute During Screen Sharing? Short answer: No. By default, Teams will still show toast (pop-up) notifications during meetings and even while you’re sharing your screen. That includes messages, reactions, and call alerts—unless you proactively change your settings. Option 1: Turn on Focus Assist (Windows Only) If you're on Windows, Focus Assist can automatically suppress notifications system-wide—including Teams. How to Use It: Click the notification icon in the bottom-right of your taskbar. Click Focus Assist until it shows "Alarms only" or "Priority only." OR go to Settings > System > Focus Assist to set rules like: Turn on automatically when duplicating your display During specific hours When using an app in full screen Note: Users can set up a rule to enable Focus Assist during meetings automatically from your calendar. Option 2: Use Teams’ Built-In Do Not Disturb Mode Click your profile picture in Teams. Set your status to Do Not Disturb. While DND is on, Teams suppresses all toast notifications. Want to still get alerts from your boss or a specific team? Go to Settings > Privacy > Manage priority access Add individuals whose messages will bypass DND Option 3: Mute Notifications Per Meeting (Temporary) If you just want to mute notifications for a short time: Go to Settings > Notifications Scroll to Meetings and Calls Set “Mute notifications during meetings and calls” to On ⚠️ This doesn’t always prevent all pop-ups, so DND is more reliable for screen sharing. Option 4: Close the Chat Window When Sharing If you’re only worried about chat pop-ups, consider: Closing the Chat pane before sharing your screen Sharing a specific window, not your entire desktop That way, even if a notification comes in, it won’t be shown to everyone watching. Quick Checklist Before You Present: Task Why It Helps Set Teams to "Do Not Disturb" Blocks all notifications Turn on Focus Assist (Windows) Mutes all pop-ups Share specific window, not full screen Limits what viewers see Close Chat pane in Teams Avoids preview messages showing up Mute notifications in Settings Extra layer of safety Conclusion Whether you’re leading a webinar, pitching a client, or just trying to focus in a meeting, managing Teams notifications is a small tweak that saves a lot of headaches (and awkward moments). Set up your preferences once—and thank yourself later.How to Switch Between Multiple Organizations in Microsoft Teams
Introduction: If you collaborate with multiple companies, clients, or nonprofits, you’ve likely been invited to more than one Microsoft Teams organization (aka “tenant”). While Teams is a powerful tool for collaboration, switching between orgs isn’t always intuitive—and can slow you down if you’re not set up properly. In this blog, I’ll walk you through how to manage and switch between multiple organizations in Microsoft Teams smoothly—on both desktop and mobile. What Is an "Organization" in Teams? Each Microsoft 365 account is tied to a single organization (or tenant). When you're added to another org’s Teams environment, you're technically a guest there. Teams allows you to toggle between these orgs, but the interface isn’t always user-friendly, and you can easily miss notifications or messages if you're not careful. How to Switch Organizations on Teams Desktop App Open Microsoft Teams (desktop or web). In the top-right corner, click on your profile picture. Under your name, you’ll see a list of all the organizations you’re a member of. Click the name of the org you want to switch to. Teams will reload in that environment. Note: Each time you switch, Teams refreshes—so it can take a few seconds. switched organization shown below Switching Orgs on the Teams Mobile App Tap your profile picture in the top-left corner. Under your name, tap the dropdown arrow to view other organizations. Select the org you want to access. Note: On mobile, switching is usually faster than on desktop, and it’s a good backup when you cannot access your computer. Other Tips for Managing Multiple Orgs ✅ Use the Web App in Parallel Open teams.microsoft.com in a browser for one org while using the desktop app for another. This is especially helpful if you're constantly jumping back and forth. 🔔 Don't Miss Notifications Teams doesn’t show notifications from orgs you’re not actively in. Use the Activity Feed in each org to catch up when you switch. On mobile, you can enable notifications for all orgs (Settings > Notifications > Accounts). 💼 Keep Track of Which Org You're In Customize your Teams theme for each org to help visually differentiate them. Add org initials or emojis in team names (if you’re an admin) to make switching less confusing. 🧹 Leave Orgs You No Longer Use If you’re no longer collaborating with a tenant, go to myaccount.microsoft.com/organizations and remove your access. 🧠 Bonus: Using Multiple Desktops or Profiles If you’re more advanced, consider: Creating browser profiles (Chrome/Edge) for each org. Running Teams in multiple desktop user accounts or Microsoft Edge side-by-side mode. Wrapping Up Switching orgs in Teams is a necessary evil for consultants, volunteers, and cross-org collaborators. With the right habits—like using browser tabs, enabling notifications, and customizing views—you can stay productive without missing a beat.Build a Custom CRM in a Weekend Using Microsoft Power Platform
Introduction You don’t need a massive budget or a team of developers to build a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. With Microsoft Power Platform, you can create a tailored CRM solution for your organization in just a weekend—no code required. Whether you’re tracking donors, clients, volunteers, or stakeholders, this guide walks you through the process using Power Apps, Dataverse, and Power Automate. Tools You’ll Use Power Apps (Canvas App) Dataverse (or SharePoint Lists if you’re on a tight budget) Power Automate (for workflows) Optional: Power BI for reporting Step-by-Step Guide 1. Define Your Core Entities Think about what you need to track: Contacts, Organizations, Interactions, Opportunities? Create a quick list of fields (e.g., Name, Email, Status, Last Contacted) 2. Set Up Your Dataverse Tables Go to Power Apps > Tables > New Table Create your entities and fields (e.g., Contact table with columns for name, email, and relationship status) 3. Build a Canvas App Use the Power Apps Canvas App from blank Connect it to your Dataverse tables Add screens for: Home/Dashboard Contact list (Gallery) Contact details/edit form Add new contact 4. Automate with Power Automate Example flow: “When a new contact is added, send a welcome email” Add flows for reminders to follow up, or flag inactive contacts Check out this blog for an example power automate flow creation Streamlining Non-Profit Operations with Power Automate Templates (Video Tutorial Included) | Microsoft Community Hub 5. Test and Share Share the app with your team 6. Use Security Roles in Dataverse to Manage Access Once your CRM is ready, you’ll want to control who can view, edit, or manage different parts of the system. That’s where Dataverse security roles come in. Here’s how to set them up: 1. Go to the Power Platform Admin Center Visit https://admin.powerplatform.microsoft.com Select the environment where your CRM lives 2. Open Security Roles Navigate to Environments > [Your Environment] > Settings Under Users + Permissions, click Security roles 3. Create a New Role Click + New role Name it something like CRM_ReadOnly, CRM_Admin, or CRM_Contributor Click Create 4. Set Table Permissions In the role editor, go to the Core Records or Custom Entities tab For each table (e.g., Contacts, Interactions), set permissions: Read = Organization (for full visibility) Create/Edit/Delete = User or None, depending on the role Example: A read-only user would have Read = Organization, and all other permissions set to None 5. Assign the Role to Users Go to Users + Permissions > Users Select the user(s) you want to assign the role to Click Manage roles, check your new role, and click Save 6. Test It Out Have the user log in and confirm they can only access what they’re supposed to Pro Tips: You can assign multiple roles to a user—permissions are cumulative Use Teams in Dataverse to manage access for groups For sensitive fields (like donation amounts), use Field-level security Use Business Rules in Dataverse to add logic without code (e.g., auto-fill fields) Theme the app to match your org’s branding Version it: Save iterations as you go, especially before big changes Final Thoughts This type of solution is ideal for teams that have outgrown spreadsheets but don’t want the cost or complexity of traditional CRM tools. With the Power Platform, you’re in control of the features, experience, and data—and you can iterate fast.SharePoint and Power Apps: Managing Roles and Permissions
One of the key aspects of SharePoint security is managing permissions at the list or item level, which allows you to control who can view or edit the data. This granular control is essential for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information within your organization. By effectively managing permissions, you can ensure that only authorized personnel have access to specific data, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Whether you choose to restrict access to the entire list for simplicity or use item-level permissions for more advanced scenarios, SharePoint provides the tools you need to keep your data secure. Restrict Access to the Entire SharePoint List This happens in SharePoint itself, not Power Apps. You need to manage permissions at the list or item level: Go to your SharePoint site > Open the List. Click on the gear ⚙️ > List settings. Under Permissions and Management, click Permissions for this list. Stop inheriting permissions (click the ribbon command: Stop Inheriting Permissions). Remove default access groups (like "Members" or "Visitors"). Add a specific SharePoint group or individuals who should have full access —an admin or manager, not end users. End users will only interact with the list through Power Apps — they don’t need direct list access. Please keep in mind that if users need to edit entries, they must have access to the list. Without proper permissions, they won't be able to see or edit the list. The next user permissions option is ideal for users who need to edit their own entries. Use Item-Level Permissions in SharePoint This is only advisable if you can enforce it consistently: Go to List settings > Under Advanced settings. Scroll to Item-level Permissions. Choose: ✅ Read access: Only their own ✅ Create and Edit access: Only their own This works well only if users are submitting forms (e.g., time-off requests) that shouldn’t be visible to others. Prevent Users from Viewing or Editing Power App Code This is configured through Power Apps and Microsoft Admin Center. Limit Who Has Access to Edit the App In Power Apps Studio: Go to File > Share. Remove or do not add users as Co-owners. Instead, share as Users only — give them “Can use” permission. Use Environment Roles (Dataverse or Environment Scope) In the Power Platform Admin Center (https://admin.powerplatform.microsoft.com): Go to Environments > Click your environment > Security roles. Set roles so users: Are not Environment Admins or Makers. Only have User roles in production environments. Summary of What to Check: Task Where Goal Limit list access SharePoint List Settings Prevent users from directly viewing data Use item-level permissions SharePoint Advanced Settings Let users only see/edit their own submissions Limit app editing Power Apps Share Panel Ensure only owners can edit Secure environment roles Power Platform Admin Center Block access to Maker/Admin capabilities
