If your nonprofit organisation currently benefits from Microsoft’s free grant licences for Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Office 365 E1, there’s an important change on the horizon.
From 1st July 2024, Microsoft will discontinue these free grants, meaning nonprofits will need to transition to discounted paid licences in order to maintain access.
What’s changing?
Through its Tech for Social Impact programme, Microsoft has long provided eligible non-profits with free access to Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Office 365 E1. These tools have supported vital day-to-day operations, from communication and collaboration to file storage and endpoint security.
However, from July 2024:
- Grant licences for Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Office 365 E1 will no longer be available.
- Eligible organisations will still be able to access these licences at discounted nonprofit pricing, but they will no longer be free.
This change affects both new and existing non-profit customers, and may have budgetary and operational implications if not addressed in advance.
What does this mean for your organisation?
If your team relies on Microsoft tools such as:
- Outlook for email
- Microsoft Teams for internal communication
- SharePoint and OneDrive for file management
- Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Microsoft 365 applications
- Endpoint security and device management through Business Premium
…then this change is highly relevant to your organisation.
Recommended Actions
To ensure a smooth transition and avoid any disruption, we recommend the following steps:
1. Review your current licensing
Log into your Microsoft Admin portal to confirm which licences your organisation is currently using and when they are due to renew.
2. Assess your organisation’s needs
You may be able to reduce overall costs by reviewing user access. Not all staff or volunteers may require full-featured licences.
3. Budget for the change
Though the upcoming licences are discounted for nonprofits, they will now carry a cost. Ensure this is factored into your operational planning for the upcoming financial year.
4. Seek professional support
Navigating Microsoft licensing can be complex. Working with a trusted IT partner will help you avoid overpaying and ensure your systems remain secure, compliant, and operational.
How Cache4 can support you
At Cache4, we work closely with non-profit organisations to help them manage their IT effectively -balancing cost, performance, and compliance.
We’re here to support you through this licensing transition by:
- Reviewing your current setup and renewal timelines
- Advising on the most cost-effective licence mix
- Handling the switch with minimal disruption
- Ensuring your systems remain secure and user-friendly throughout
If you’re unsure how this change will impact your organisation or want to ensure you’re getting the best value for your setup…
Schedule a free, no obligation review – Visit us in-store or contact us today.
We’re here to help!
