Microsoft Programme Eligibility

The Microsoft Software Donations Programme is currently available only to Non-Govermental Organisations with non-profit status as granted by the NGO Coordination Board.

Products will be distributed to eligible organisations only, not to individuals, and according to Microsoft's Guidelines

Eligible organisations are:

• A nonprofit or non-governmental organization that registered with the NGO Coordination Board as a non-profit organisation status in their country (equivalent to the US status of 501(c)(3) from Internal Revenue Service) and operates on a not-for-profit basis with the aim of: (i) relief to the poor, (ii) advancement of education, (iii) advancement of social and community welfare, (iv) advancement of culture, (v) advancement of the natural environment, or (vi) other purposes beneficial to the community.  
• Public libraries for public access purposes only – these are the only organizations that are eligible for SW donation from MS even if they don’t have the proper charitable NGO status as outlined later in this document. This is because there is a corporate commitment to support public/shared access computing in public libraries, regardless if they have the proper NGO status or not.

Additional types of organizations eligible for Microsoft Software Donation programs include IF they also have the proper, legal NGO status as outline below are:

• Community Health Clinics - Outpatient facilities, many previously known as free clinics, established by community rather than a hospital which provide basic medical. Services available free or on an ability-to-pay basis and target low-income and indigent community residents.
• Behavioral healthcare nonprofits that provide mental health, chemical dependency, mental retardation/developmental disabilities services, and other psychosocial services to the community
• Women’s health centers
• Blood banks
• Trade associations with registered charity status that have charitable aims and activities
• Charitable, secular projects of religious organizations - Religious organizations registered as a legal NGO/charity and have a secular community service or project (i.e. separate from the church, temple, mosque or religious organization) may be eligible for a software donation if they provide their services to people regardless of their religious beliefs and without propagating a belief in a specific faith when delivering those services.  

Ineligible organizations are:

• Nonprofit organizations without a current 501(c)(3) exempt status or nongovernmental organizations without equivalent charitable status in their own country
• Private Foundations – a grant-making organization that received or receives the majority of its assets/income from, and is subject to the control of, an individual, family, government or corporation.
• Governmental organizations or agencies including international governmental organizations and United Nations Entities.  Visit the Microsoft Government Licensing website for more information.
• Educational Institutions – K-12 schools, colleges and universities, or other organizations eligible through Microsoft academic volume licensing programs are not eligible for software donations, including nonprofit private schools.  Please visit the Microsoft Education website for more information.  
• Healthcare Organizations and Networks –healthcare organizations and networks including hospitals, specialty networks, ambulatory healthcare services, home healthcare and assisted living healthcare organizations are not eligible.  Please visit the Microsoft Healthcare website.
• Healthcare Research Organizations and Research Laboratories – Includes organizations pursuing systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to general knowledge.  Please visit the Microsoft Healthcare website.
•  Commerce and Trade Associations without charitable aims or activities
• Sponsorships of events, tables, exhibitions, or performances
• Fund-raising events such as luncheons, dinners, walks, runs, or sports tournaments
• Political, Labor, and Fraternal organizations
• Sports Groups - Amateur or professional sports groups, clubs, teams or events
• Refurbishers that will be installing the donated software on refurbished computers to be distributed or donated to nonprofits or schools. Visit the MS Authorised Refurbisher site: www.microsoft/mar.
• Religious organizations not registered as a charity and without a secular community designation that is separate from the church or religious organization. Please visit Charity Open Licensing for more info.
• Individuals

Guidelines

• Each eligible organisation may request up to six titles, and up to 50 user licences per title every per two-year period, with the following exceptions
  • For server titles, organisations may request one server licence per title and up to 50 Client Access Licences (CALs). i.e. organisations may not order two copies of the same server title
  • Server licences with accompanying CALS will, together, count as two separate titles towards the six-title limit
• Organisations may order additional licences of software titles that they already received through the Microsoft Software Donations Programme (as part of their previous order within the two-year ordering cycle). This is true even if the current title is an upgraded version of the original software. Such orders will not count against the 6-title limit. However, the total number of licences requested for this title (between the two orders) may not exceed 50
• Eligible organisations may place a maximum of two orders (one per year) within a two-year period
• An organisation's first order initiates a two-year ordering cycle. After the ordering cycle has begun, an organisation must wait one full year before placing a second order. i.e. an organisation that placed an order on 01/07/06 may place a new order 01/07/07
• The combined total of products ordered in a two-year period may not exceed six titles and 50 user licences per title (or one licence per server title)
• Once two years have passed since an organisation's original order, the order limits will be reset. i.e. an organisation that placed an order on 01/07/06 may order six new titles and 50 licences per title (or one licence per server title) on 01/07/08
• Donations will be fulfilled using Microsoft Open Licensing. This means that boxed (full packaged) products and paper licences will not be shipped to organisations through this programme. Instead, an e-mail will arrive with an authorisation number for approved requests and directions to go to a Microsoft Web page to download licensing agreements. Software media (CDs) will be sent directly from Microsoft via air mail.
• Each order must include a minimum of five "seats." One licence = one seat. Each licence counts individually toward the five-licence total except for server licences. Server licences count as five seats, and thus fulfill the five-seat requirement on their own
• Microsoft may, at its sole discretion, provide "functionally equivalent" substitute product(s) for any request or order.
• Microsoft products may not be transferred or resold. Additionally, Microsoft products may not be installed on computers that will be given to or sold to other organisations or individuals.