Many organisations do not realise that they are entitled to free Microsoft software: Excel, Word, Outlook, Office 365 etc. Microsoft has been donating its software to charitable organisations worldwide for a number of years now. In New Zealand access to free Microsoft software is managed through the charity Techsoup (www.techsoup.net.nz) and has so far been restricted to organisations on the Charities register.
Changes to Techsoup’s eligibility criteria late last year mean that organisations not registered on the Charities register have become eligible. Techsoup only charges an administration fee to pass on the software from Microsoft.
This is good news at a time where not-for-profits are thinking twice about becoming registered as Charities due to the heavy compliance environment.