How can I get software donations for my non profit organization...
There are several great resources of if not free - very low cost software resources. Small software sometimes have direct donation programs - whereas larger software companies (Intuit, Microsoft, Adobe Systems) channel most of their donations through centralized donation programs - such as Techsoup, or Gifts in Kind International.
Each of these publishers have their own donation guidelines, and like a grant, you'll need to see if your organization is qualified. ITE's favorite software donation resource is Techsoup. Since we also refurbish computers for low income families, we need LOTS of software licenses - and so with Techsoups' help, we participate in the Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (Community MAR) program. We also provide systems to public libraries and small non-profits. Here is a quick example of just how powerful and constant donation resource like this is for us...
In the seven years of ITE's history, we've refurbished/licensed more than 2000 systems for others - not to mention our own internal systems. The total estimated value of Microsoft operating systems and office products that were put into these systems is $722,000.00!!!
Because of the Community MAR software donation program - the licensing for these systems only cost an administration fee totaling $21,000.00 - a savings of more than $701,000.00. We pass this savings onto program recipients to make participation costs as low as possible - and we can use the savings for technical development, outreach, and other things that are typically hard to sustain.
If your non profit is not registered with these groups - they should be!
