I want to learn more about Nonprofit Pain Points?
My name is Erica Leverson, a data analyst/tech expert at EDL Investments. We have started to want to work with nonprofits because we want to work with organizations who is making humans, animals, the environment a better place. So, in order for me to be of service to nonprofits, I want to know what the pain points are. My goal is to learn of the struggles so I can create solutions. If you don't mind, can you please share them in the comments.
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.Level Up Your Nonprofit with Microsoft Learn!
That’s where Microsoft Learn comes in! It’s a free, on-demand training platform where nonprofit professionals can level up their skills in key areas like: ✅ Cybersecurity – Learn how to protect sensitive donor and program data ✅ Cloud Computing – Get hands-on with Microsoft Azure to modernize operations ✅ AI & Automation – Discover how tools like Copilot can save time and improve workflows ✅ Data Analytics – Use Power BI to track impact and make data-driven decisions ✅ Collaboration & Productivity – Master Microsoft 365 tools like Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive Bonus: If you’re looking to get certified, Microsoft Learn offers guided learning paths, interactive modules, practice assessments, and even free certification exam prep—helping your nonprofit’s team earn industry-recognized credentials that boost both confidence and credibility. Ready to upskill and transform the way your nonprofit works? Let’s dive into the keyways Microsoft Learn can help your team thrive! (Be sure to click the links included above and below throughout the blog!) 1. Free Training That Won’t Break the Budget The reality is—most nonprofits are working with tight budgets. Hiring consultants or paying for expensive training programs isn’t always an option. Microsoft Learn changes the game by providing free, high-quality training on essential tech skills, so your team can stay ahead without spending a dime. Whether you want to become a cybersecurity pro, optimize your nonprofit’s cloud strategy, or automate repetitive tasks, you’ll find step-by-step learning modules, hands-on exercises, and even sandbox environments to practice your skills. With zero cost and unlimited access, there’s no reason NOT to start learning today! 💡 2. Content Designed Just for Nonprofits Not all training is created equal, and Microsoft understands that nonprofits have unique needs. That’s why Microsoft Learn offers custom content that focus on real-world nonprofit challenges, such as: ✔ Volunteer Engagement – Learn how to manage and communicate with volunteers using Microsoft 365 ✔ Program Impact Tracking – Use Power BI and other analytics tools to measure outcomes and improve reporting ✔ Accelerate Nonprofit Funding with AI – Learn how to use Microsoft Copilot to streamline grant writing, improve donor outreach, and optimize funding strategies with AI-powered insights. ✔ Introduction to AI Skills for Nonprofits – Discover how AI can enhance nonprofit operations, improve decision-making, and automate tasks to maximize impact and efficiency. ✔ Data Governance – Understand how to structure, manage, and secure your nonprofit's data using Microsoft tools like Purview to maintain privacy and compliance. With these specialized courses, your team can gain relevant, actionable skills that will improve efficiency and amplify your mission! 3. AI & Automation: Your Digital Assistants Are Here! Ever wish you had a little extra help? AI-powered tools like Copilot in Word, Excel, and Teams can automate tasks, analyze data, and boost collaboration—so you can focus on impact instead of admin work. Need to draft a grant proposal? Copilot can help. Want insights from donor data? Copilot's got you. Running out of ideas for your fundraising campaign? Learn how you can accelerate nonprofit funding solutions with Copilot here. Microsoft Learn offers hands-on courses that teach you how to use AI tools to save time, improve accuracy, and enhance productivity—so your team can work smarter, not harder! 4. A Culture of Continuous Learning Tech is always evolving, and staying ahead of the game is key. Microsoft Learn makes ongoing training engaging, interactive, and accessible, helping your nonprofit adapt, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing digital world. Want to level up your team’s expertise? Encourage staff and volunteers to take Microsoft certification courses—which include: Practice assessments to test knowledge before exams Certification prep courses to guide learning Industry-recognized credentials to showcase expertise Certifications like Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals or Azure Fundamentals can boost credibility and help your nonprofit build trust with donors and partners. Ready to Take Your Nonprofit to the Next Level? Microsoft Learn is your nonprofit’s free ticket to a tech-savvy future—helping you upskill your team, simplify processes, and amplify your mission. So, what are you waiting for? Start learning today and turn your nonprofit into a digital powerhouse! 💻✨ 👉 Explore Microsoft Learn Now!
Pricing to have one user with Microsoft Access
We are a small non-profit that has just been approved for the Microsoft Non-Profit program. We need one computer to have Microsoft Access for our library database. We are having trouble interpreting the pricing. Can we pay for only ONE user to have Access or do we have to pay the fee for every user even though they won't be using it? If we are charged for every user, we are going to need to reconsider this program as it will be much more expensive than the Microsoft business account we currently use. Is there someone in this forum who can help?
2 versions of Volunteer Management...
I discovered the hard way that there are two versions of Volunteer Management out there. They look very similar, but the way they denote Volunteers in Contacts is different: in one, the picklist column (field) Primary Constituent Type [msnfp_PrimaryConstituentType] is set to 'Volunteer'; in the other, the Y/N column Volunteer [msnfp_volunteer] is set to 'Y'. Both columns exist in the nfp version of Contacts. Forms and Views set up for one approach obviously won't work for the other. The version of Volunteer Management that is currently (11/24) installed by Cloud Solution Manager uses the 'Y/N' method. The other is (I suspect) what got installed earlier in '24 when I first installed NonProfit Accelerator and asked to include the sample apps. Both showed up in my list of apps, including in mobile. My initial reaction: D'oh! Doesn't a Unified Constituent approach suggest that the method should be the same across all apps, and not a one-off in this app? I can see advantages to both...but... My rec: if you combine the latest VolMgmt with any other Dynamics/Dataverse-based app, either write a flow that also sets the Constituent type, or pay close attention to your filters when you view or report around your Contacts. Sigh. ps: if I'm right about the sample app, has it been updated more recently for consistency? thxHow not-for-profits can use Microsoft 365 to support their volunteer management
In the lead up to Australia's National Volunteer Week (20-26 May), Motive Consulting are sharing tips on how not-for-profits can use Microsoft 365 applications to support their volunteer management. From the Shifts app in Microsoft Teams to SharePoint, Power Apps and Power BI, there are many apps that can help make your volunteer programs more effective. You can read the full post here: https://www.motiveconsulting.com.au/post/how-not-for-profits-can-use-microsoft-365-to-support-their-volunteer-management What other tips can you share?
Volunteer Engagement and Management
Hello everyone! I've been attempting to use the Volunteer Management and Engagement solution for Non-Profits. So far I've been able to deploy them both and do some inputting of information. However, they don't seem to be matching up. I've inputted opportunities but they either don't show up on the engagement portal or there is an error message. I've also had a hard time getting them to merge on either of my environments. Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong? ThanksVolunteer Management - Microsoft Cloud for Nonprofit
"Are you struggling to effectively manage and engage your volunteers? Look no further! Introducing Volunteer Management, the powerful tool that will revolutionize the way your nonprofit approaches volunteer coordination." Volunteer Management is a powerful tool that helps nonprofits manage and engage volunteers in a more efficient and effective way. The application is designed to streamline coordination, so volunteer managers can easily match the right volunteers with the right opportunities. One of the key features of Volunteer Management is the ability to publish engagement opportunities. Volunteer managers can design the opportunity, define the qualifications, skills, and shifts needed and make it visible to potential volunteers. This allows volunteers to easily find and apply for opportunities that align with their skills and availability. Another important feature is the ability to approve volunteers. Volunteer managers can review volunteer profiles and qualifications, and then approve individuals to participate in engagement opportunities. This ensures that only qualified and suitable volunteers are selected for specific opportunities. The application also helps to manage volunteer onboarding by tracking what stage of the process a volunteer is in. This allows volunteer managers to quickly and easily understand the progress of a volunteer and provide support if needed. Volunteer Management also allows volunteer managers to track attendance and balance shift volumes when an activity is happening. This means they can easily manage day-of activities and ensure that there are enough volunteers to cover all the shifts. The application also enables easy communication with volunteers through automated messaging. Volunteer managers can define automated messages to ensure volunteers receive timely logistics, training, and gratitude for their time. In addition to these features, Volunteer Management also provides volunteer insights, allowing volunteer managers to understand who is registering for, failing to show up to, and repeatedly contributing time to their organization. This helps volunteer managers to identify patterns and improve volunteer engagement. Overall, Volunteer Management is a comprehensive tool that helps nonprofits to effectively manage and engage volunteers, making it easier to scale missions and deliver vital programs and services. With its wide range of features, it is a valuable tool for any nonprofit looking to improve their volunteer management process. Check out the Volunteer Management and Volunteer Engagement (another Nonprofit offering) Guided Tour here!
