Technology that Gives Time Back to Care
Every minute matters when lives are on the line. For nonprofits like World Vision Germany and Diakonisches Werk Rheinland-Westfalen-Lippe, embracing modern technology wasn’t about going digital—it was about giving people help faster, building trust deeper, and freeing teams to focus on what truly matters: human connection. When an earthquake struck Myanmar, World Vision Germany launched an emergency appeal within hours—because technology cleared the path for action. When floods devastated communities, Diakonie RWL raised €45M and delivered aid in just two weeks—because their systems worked as fast as their compassion. This is the future of nonprofit work: less time wrestling with paperwork, more time changing lives. Technology doesn’t replace care—it amplifies it. To learn more about their stories and how they use technology to accelerate impact. Please read the full story on Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/driving-impact-faster-aid-smarter-fundraising-3udkeWe Want to Hear from You!
We believe the best ideas don’t just come from within—they come from you, our community. Your voice matters, and we’re committed to listening, learning, and growing together. Feedback isn’t just a checkbox for us. It’s how we improve, innovate, and make sure we’re meeting your needs. Whether it’s a suggestion, a story, or a simple thought, every piece of input helps us shape the future. Why Your Feedback Matters • It helps us understand what’s working well. • It highlights areas where we can do better. • It sparks new ideas we may not have considered. We want to make this journey collaborative, and your perspective is the key. Take our quick survey here: Help Us Improve: Share Your Feedback – Fill out form Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Together, we can build something even better!Unlock AI-Ready Insights: Empowering Nonprofits with Microsoft Fabric
Disconnected data slows impact—but it doesn’t have to. Nonprofit data solutions in Microsoft Fabric unify your data, accelerate insights, and create an AI-ready foundation for smarter decisions. Imagine moving from raw donor data to actionable insights in weeks, not months. With Fabric, nonprofits gain: Unified fundraising data in one place Instant insights through ready-made dashboards AI-powered possibilities for predictive analytics and smarter strategies This isn’t just technology—it’s a game-changer for fundraising, volunteer management, and program delivery. Built with nonprofit needs in mind, Fabric helps you reduce complexity and unlock mission outcomes faster. Ready to see how? Read the full article on Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/microsoft-for-nonprofits_disconnected-data-slows-impact-but-it-doesn-activity-7402016549773017088-8cH9#MSIgnite Nonprofit AI Sessions
AI is opening new doors for nonprofits to collaborate, innovate, and drive mission impact. During Ignite, we hosted two sessions designed to show how AI can connect IT, fundraising, program management, and operations teams. These on‑demand sessions highlight practical strategies and real nonprofit experiences you can learn from today: Silo Busting for Nonprofits - bridging gaps between technology and program staff in nonprofit organizations Empowering Nonprofits with Agentic AI - discover how AI agents are driving impact in program management, fundraising, and operations Want to learn more? Head over to the Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn page to read the full article and see how AI is transforming nonprofit missions and driving impact.How AI Is Accelerating the Fight Against Pediatric AIDS
When Data Meets Compassion, Lives Change For over three decades, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) have stood as a lifeline for families, determined that no child should be born with HIV. But as their mission expanded across 12 high-burden countries, one question became urgent: How do you turn mountains of health data into life-saving action—fast? Through Microsoft’s Hack4Good initiative, EGPAF partnered with Squadra Digital to create glAIser, an Azure AI-powered assistant that transforms complex data into clear, actionable insights. From predicting treatment lapses to guiding real-time decisions, glAIser helps clinicians and advocates respond with precision—and compassion. This isn’t just technology. It’s hope in action. It’s a future where stories like Dee Mphafi Tanka’s—a young mother in Lesotho who gave birth to an HIV-free daughter—become the norm, not the exception. Discover how AI is helping EGPAF turn vision into reality. Read the full story on Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedInTransitioning 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.Reimagining Healthcare Through Data: Lessons from the Frontlines
Healthcare systems are under immense pressure from aging populations, rising costs, and workforce shortages. When data is unified and powered by AI, care transforms from reactive to proactive, predictive, and personalized. Two nonprofits—Operation Smile and Arcare—are proving what’s possible with Microsoft Fabric and Azure AI, turning data into action and impact: Global care with local insight Real-time rural healthcare improvements AI-powered tools for efficiency and equity This isn’t just about technology—it’s about building a more humane healthcare system where every patient matters. Why it matters: Data is now the infrastructure of modern healthcare. Unified, intelligent, and scalable platforms are the blueprint for healthier communities worldwide. To learn more and discover how these nonprofits are leading this transformation. Read their full story by visiting Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/reimagining-healthcare-through-data-lessons-from-c6e2eFrom Strategy to Execution: Operationalizing Microsoft Entra for Real-World Impact
In a previous blog, we explored how Microsoft Entra is redefining identity and access management in a borderless digital world. Now, let’s take the next step: turning strategy into action. How can organizations harness the full power of Microsoft Entra to drive security, agility, and compliance at scale? The answer lies in operationalizing Entra’s capabilities across your identity lifecycle, access policies, and multicloud environments—while aligning with your Zero Trust journey. Identity in Action: Real-World Scenarios with Microsoft Entra 1. Onboarding and Offboarding at Scale With Entra ID Governance, HR-driven provisioning and automated access reviews ensure that employees, contractors, and partners receive the right access on Day 1—and lose it on Day Last. This reduces risk and administrative overhead. Example: A global manufacturing firm significantly accelerated user provisioning and successfully eliminated orphaned accounts by integrating Microsoft Entra with Workday and ServiceNow. 2. Securing Multicloud Workloads Microsoft Entra’s identity protection extends beyond Microsoft environments. Organizations can enforce Conditional Access and MFA across their entire digital estate, including on-premises and third-party applications. Example: A fintech company used Entra Internet Access to apply identity-aware web filtering across cloud-native and legacy apps—without a VPN. 3. Empowering External Collaboration With Entra External ID, organizations can securely collaborate with customers, vendors, and partners—without creating friction. Personalized sign-in experiences and granular access controls keep data safe and user journeys smooth. Example: A healthcare provider enabled secure access for 20,000+ external researchers while maintaining HIPAA compliance. Integrating Entra Across the Microsoft Ecosystem Microsoft Entra doesn’t operate in a silo. It integrates seamlessly with: Microsoft Defender for Identity: Detect identity-based threats like lateral movement and credential theft. Microsoft Sentinel: Correlate identity signals with broader threat intelligence for proactive response. Microsoft Purview: Enforce data access policies based on identity and risk. Together, these tools form a unified security fabric that protects identities, data, and infrastructure. Measuring Success: KPIs That Matter To ensure your Entra deployment is delivering value, track metrics like: Access Review Completion Rates Time to Provision/Deprovision MFA Adoption Rates Reduction in Risky Sign-ins Compliance Audit Pass Rates These KPIs help quantify the impact of identity governance and Zero Trust enforcement. What's Next: Future-Proofing with Entra As identity becomes the new perimeter, Microsoft Entra is evolving to meet tomorrow’s challenges: AI-powered access insights to detect anomalies and recommend policy changes Decentralized identity models for privacy-preserving authentication Continuous access evaluation to adapt in real time to changing risk signals Conclusion Microsoft Entra is more than a suite of tools—it’s a strategic enabler for secure digital transformation. By operationalizing its capabilities across your organization, you can build a resilient identity foundation that scales with your business and adapts to an ever-changing threat landscape. Identity is no longer just an IT concern—it’s a business imperative. And with Microsoft Entra, you’re ready for what’s next.How Copilot Technologies Are a Force-Multiplier for Global Opportunities or for Inclusive Growth
AI isn’t just a tech upgrade. It’s a lifeline for mission-driven organizations navigating rising demand with limited resources. In today’s nonprofit landscape, the question is no longer if we use AI, but how we use it—with care, intention, and humanity. Microsoft Copilot is helping nonprofits do just that: At the National Zakat Foundation, an AI-powered triage assistant now surfaces urgent cases in real time, cutting wait times by 80% and allowing staff to focus on what matters most—rebuilding lives. At Malteser International, Copilot automates reporting and grant writing, freeing up precious hours for mentoring, innovation, and frontline care. This isn’t just automation—it’s empathy at scale. It’s the power to reclaim time, restore dignity, and respond with compassion. And it’s only the beginning. You can read their full story on Microsoft for Nonprofits LinkedIn and discover how AI, when guided by purpose, can amplify the human impact: (28) How Copilot Technologies Are a Force-Multiplier for Global Opportunities or for Inclusive Growth | LinkedInMicrosoft Entra: Building Trust in a Borderless Digital World
As nonprofits embrace hybrid work, multi-cloud environments, and digital transformation to better serve their missions, the need for secure, intelligent access has never been greater. Traditional identity solutions often fall short in protecting diverse user groups like staff, volunteers, donors, and partners. Microsoft Entra offers a unified family of identity and network access products designed to verify every identity, validate every access request, and secure every connection—helping nonprofits stay resilient, compliant, and mission-focused. What Is Microsoft Entra? Microsoft Entra offers a unified family of identity and network access products designed to verify every identity, validate every access request, and secure every connection—helping nonprofits stay resilient, compliant, and mission-focused. The suite includes: Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory): A cloud-based identity and access management service that supports Single Sign-On (SSO), Multifactor Authentication (MFA), and Conditional Access policies to protect users, apps, and resources. Microsoft Entra ID Governance: Automates identity lifecycle management, ensuring users have the right access at the right time—and nothing more. It supports access reviews, role-based access control, and policy enforcement. Microsoft Entra External ID: Manages secure access for external users like customers, partners, and vendors. It enables personalized, secure experiences without compromising internal systems. Microsoft Entra Private Access: Provides secure, VPN-less access to private apps and resources across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. It’s ideal for remote work scenarios and legacy app support. Microsoft Entra Internet Access: Offers secure web access with identity-aware controls, helping protect users from malicious sites and enforcing compliance policies. Why Microsoft Entra Matters for Nonprofits Unified Identity Protection: Secures access for any identity—human or workload—to any resource, from anywhere. Zero Trust Enablement: Verifies every access request based on identity, device health, location, and risk level. Multi-cloud and Hybrid Ready: Works across Microsoft 365, Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, and on-premises environments. Compliance and Governance: Supports nonprofit regulatory needs with automated access reviews, audit trails, and policy enforcement. Getting Started with Microsoft Entra Assess your security posture through Microsoft Secure Score – Helps nonprofits monitor and improve identity, device, and app security posture. Building Conditional Access policies in Microsoft Entra – Create policies to protect users and data based on risk, location, and device health. Create a lifecycle workflow – Automate onboarding, role changes, and offboarding for staff, volunteers, and contractors. Microsoft Entra External ID documentation – Manage secure access for donors, partners, and community members. Real-World Impact A global nonprofit recently used Microsoft Entra to streamline access for volunteers, staff, and external partners. By automating identity governance and enabling secure access to cloud apps, they reduced administrative overhead and improved security posture—without sacrificing user experience. Conclusion Microsoft Entra empowers nonprofits to modernize identity and access management with a unified, secure, and intelligent approach. Whether you're enabling remote work, collaborating with external partners, or safeguarding sensitive donor data, Entra provides the tools to build trust, enforce least privilege, and stay compliant. By adopting Entra, nonprofits can focus more on their mission and less on managing risk—ensuring that every connection is secure, every identity is verified, and every access is governed.
