Microsoft Charity Licensing

I just wanted to let everyone know that Microsoft offers charity licensing to non-profit organizations such as churches. Our church purchases through Softchoice Inc.(http://www.softchoice.com ). We had to set up an account with them, but we are now able to purchase Microsoft products at a reduced prices (sometimes hundreds off the retail price). Check it out! It is well worth the trouble. Unfortunately Microsoft is the only company I know of that offers this type of licensing. Feel free to email me () if you have any questions.

Another source for those who are United Methodist related is umcom.org which offers discounts related to Microsoft, Dell, Apple and Insight purchases.

United Methodist Communications

[Charlie Brown]

I use Sonic Foundry's Vegas Video 3 for my video editing, and they offer a discounted rate for a religious organization I believe. It is the same as their educational rate.

I bought my copy before I knew about it.

[nathandiehl]

MS Open License 6.0 is what you are referring to, but it is vital to note that this license is a two-year license. It is also only valid for more than five licenses, which must all be purchased at the same time.
I do not think that this is average turn-over for church use. Three year is minimum average, and 4 is probably closer to the truth. How many churches are still using Microsoft Office2000 on their pastors and secretaries computers?
how many churches are still running Windows98se on clients? but perhaps most poignat, how many churches can afford to upgrade all their computers and licenses every two years like clockwork?

Nathan.

Our church is a Microsoft Charity Open License user. Before applying for a charity license with Microsoft, I spoke with Microsoft sales reps, and the reseller rep at length about this program. Here is what I believe to be true.

1) The Open License program lasts 2 years after you are accepted into it. You can purchase software continuously during those 2 years, without having to reapply even if you lose your 501c3 status. At the end of 2 years you will have to reapply.

2) You have to buy media and licenses seperately once admitted to the program. For example, I buy one MSoffice 2001 CD for about $40, then multiple licenses for the program at $50 a pop. (prices are approximate, contact a reseller for the latest)

3) You have to buy at least 5 licenses up front. They do not have to be all for the same program. For example, you could buy 1 Powerpoint license, 1 Word License, 1 Office license, 1 Frontpage license, and another Word License to qualify.

4) Although your authorization number to buy from Microsoft under this program lasts two years, your licenses for the product last as long as you own them. You cannot resell them.
In my agreement mailed to me from microsoft it says:
"“authorization number” means the unique number reflected in the online records that for 24 full calendar months following its issuance allows you to place one or more purchase orders under the Microsoft Charity Open License program;
“License” means any one of those offerings identified in the Product List (including standard licenses and upgrades for desktop operating systems) that provides the right to run the version of the product for which it is ordered;"

I reread all my licensing paperwork, and the eopen website information and cannot see anything to the contrary. If anyone else can find something, post the link in this thread.
(http://eopen.microsoft.com)
KK.

[cpedley]

Nathan has part of it correct. The license agreement is for two years BUT you can use those licenses forever if you wish. If you think like right now an upgrade may be coming up, it is wise to purchase SA or Software Assurance which gives you the free upgrade any time within that two years.
================================================== =====
Also to be honest, MOST churches and offices for that matter which I have seen do not use all the new features that come out every few years. 2003 was actually a better product in my estimation because I am STILL learning where things are in Office 2007 because of the "wonderful" ribbon.

Coming from a salesman the term "Upgrade" is a lie. It is ONLY an UPGRADE if it works better for you! If it has no advantage then why bother? Wait until every second version.

Originally Posted by nathandiehl

MS Open License 6.0 is what you are referring to, but it is vital to note that this license is a two-year license. It is also only valid for more than five licenses, which must all be purchased at the same time.
I do not think that this is average turn-over for church use. Three year is minimum average, and 4 is probably closer to the truth. How many churches are still using Microsoft Office2000 on their pastors and secretaries computers?
how many churches are still running Windows98se on clients? but perhaps most poignat, how many churches can afford to upgrade all their computers and licenses every two years like clockwork?

Nathan.

[cpedley]

See CAPS BELOW - [NOT YELLING, JUST EMPHASIZING]

Originally Posted by kknuth

Our church is a Microsoft Charity Open License user. Before applying for a charity license with Microsoft, I spoke with Microsoft sales reps, and the reseller rep at length about this program. Here is what I believe to be true.

1) The Open License program lasts 2 years after you are accepted into it. You can purchase software continuously during those 2 years, without having to reapply even if you lose your 501c3 status. At the end of 2 years you will have to reapply. [OR RENEW]

YOU CAN PURCHASE IN UNITS OF ONE AFTER THE INITIAL 5-POINT PURCHASE. HOWEVER THERE ARE WAYS OF GIVING YOU 5 POINTS FOR CHEAPER LICENSES TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE IF YOU NEED FEWER PRODUCTS THAN 5. HOWEVER YOU CAN NOT PURCHASE NEW LICENSES IF YOU LOSE YOUR CHARITABLE STATUS. YOU MAY CONTINUE TO USE WHAT YOU HAD.

2) You have to buy media and licenses seperately once admitted to the program. For example, I buy one MSoffice 2001 CD for about $40, then multiple licenses for the program at $50 a pop. (prices are approximate, contact a reseller for the latest)

NOW YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BUY MEDIA SINCE THE RESELLERS SUCH AS MYSELF SEND YOU A LICENSING EMAIL INSTRUCTING YOU AS TO WHERE YOU FIND THE DOWNLOAD. YOU CAN PURCHASE MEDIA IF YOU WISH.

3) You have to buy at least 5 licenses up front. They do not have to be all for the same program. For example, you could buy 1 Powerpoint license, 1 Word License, 1 Office license, 1 Frontpage license, and another Word License to qualify.

TRUE, BUT THE OFFICE 2007 YOU GET HAS FRONTPAGE AND POWERPOINT IN IT SO WE USE LESSER KNOWN LICENSES WHICH ARE CHEAP BUT FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS.

4) Although your authorization number to buy from Microsoft under this program lasts two years, your licenses for the product last as long as you own them. You cannot resell them.

In my agreement mailed to me from microsoft it says:
"“authorization number” means the unique number reflected in the online records that for 24 full calendar months following its issuance allows you to place one or more purchase orders under the Microsoft Charity Open License program;

“License” means any one of those offerings identified in the Product List (including standard licenses and upgrades for desktop operating systems) that provides the right to run the version of the product for which it is ordered;"

I reread all my licensing paperwork, and the eopen website information and cannot see anything to the contrary. If anyone else can find something, post the link in this thread.

KK.

THIS LINK WILL GIVE YOU THE PDF'S FOR ELIGIBILITY IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES.
PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG SINCE I DID NOT DOUBLE-CHECK-JUST GOING FROM PAST EXPERIENCE AND READING A DOCUMENT I HAD ON FILE.

Put the three "w's" in front of the link below as needed. [i have not posted 15x so i cannot put active links. Sorry

microsoftvolumelicensing.com/userights/DocumentSearch.aspx?Mode=3&DocumentTypeId=19

Charles

[Ebroach]

This is the company I use for my non profit purchases.

http://www.ccbnonprofits.com/

They carry several other companies non profit pricing besides MS.

Microsoft guidelines
You have to be a non profit.
Your first purchase has to include 5 licenses. Vista Upgrade, Office, Powerpioint. etc.
Buy media is not required anymore. (You can but not required)
You can download the software from MS.
Licenses do last as long as you own the software. (cant resell)

Typical prices
MS Office Pro 2007 $70
Powerpoint $39
Publisher $39
Vista/Win XP Pro business $70

[cpedley]

[quote=Ebroach;276178]This is the company I use for my non profit purchases.

Definitely seems to be a good company.

Has been in business almost as long as we have.

However that does not matter.

Just to re-iterate. You have a choice of Office Standard which omits some programs and Office Pro Plus 2007 which contains more [in fact it is the same as what any large enterprise like GM, GE, or Ford receive [the enterprise version].

That is why for the few extra dollars you pay, it is worth it for most churches and ministries.

Here is what it contains.

• Word
• Excel
• Powerpoint
• Outlook
• Publisher
• Access
• InfoPath
• Communicator
• Integrated Enterprise Content Manager
• Integrated Electronic Forms
• Advanced Information Rights Management and Policy Capabilities

So just to clarify what you said Ebroach ...

If you purchase Office Pro Plus, you don't need Powerpoint, because you have it already. You don't need Publisher because you have it already.
You don't need Access because you will have it already.

Ebroach is right about the other points he makes. However 5 MAIN products are not required. Who needs to save more? Big churches or little churches? We enjoy helping little churches, [although we do help large ones] because they want to save every dollar they can and not spend unwisely.

So we always like to clarify what they get with the Pro Plus.

Also at a time like this when Microsoft is coming out with Windows 7 AND Office 10 very shortly, we also recommend Software Assurance at a slight extra cost because it offers the church these benefits

1. Within the two year period, for whatever product you have a license for, you get to upgrade to the new one FREE!
2. You get more support through Microsoft.
3. and so on ....

Now if you do not need all those extras why buy them?

Our charge right now for ALL OF THE ABOVE with the Software Assurance is $125.43 which includes any shipping etc. AND NO TAXES because we are Canadian.

If you do not want or need the Software Assurance because you are not wanting to get the next version free, then take away Software Assurance and your cost for the same product would be...... ONLY $79.40 WITH NO TAXES AND NO SHIPPING COST


If you don't need Publisher, Access, Infopath, Communicator, and the other mysterious products at the end of the list, then we recommend the basic Office Standard which contains ONLY....

• Word
• Excel
• Powerpoint and
• Outlook

That cost would be ONLY $61.xx

Vista has just been removed since early October Windows V7 is out. But the savings are comparable.


You may be a church or ministry which does NOT need Microsoft Office products because you do not mind standardizing on an increasingly used Open Office which is available for ..... are you ready ? FREE.

Just clarifying, [I hope! (:-0)
-Charles

"Microsoft guidelines
You have to be a non profit.
Your first purchase has to include 5 licenses. Vista Upgrade, Office, Powerpioint. etc.
Buy media is not required anymore. (You can but not required)
You can download the software from MS.
Licenses do last as long as you own the software. (cant resell)"

[cpedley]

Originally Posted by Charlie Brown

I use Sonic Foundry's Vegas Video 3 for my video editing, and they offer a discounted rate for a religious organization I believe. It is the same as their educational rate.

I bought my copy before I knew about it.

Hi Charlie! Good name!

Have you tried any of the competitors? I would be interested if you have and why you chose Vegas instead???

Charles

[cpedley]

Originally Posted by nathandiehl

MS Open License 6.0 is what you are referring to, but it is vital to note that this license is a two-year license. It is also only valid for more than five licenses, which must all be purchased at the same time.
I do not think that this is average turn-over for church use. Three year is minimum average, and 4 is probably closer to the truth. How many churches are still using Microsoft Office2000 on their pastors and secretaries computers?
how many churches are still running Windows98se on clients? but perhaps most poignat, how many churches can afford to upgrade all their computers and licenses every two years like clockwork?

Nathan.

Just to clarify Nathan, you need purchase ONLY 5 licenses all of which can be different and they DO NOT have to be MAJOR products only.
GBy!

Charles

[randystevens]

Charles, maybe you can give me some guidance, we are a small church but need 5 licenses however as far as I can tell, we are not designated as a 501c. How do we achieve our charitable status with Microsoft?

Thanks.