Microsoft

michael.gowan — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:09:49 -0700

Microsoft is a lead product donor on TechSoup, as well as an advocate and funder for the expansion of the TechSoup Global platform. Software donations are a key part of the company’s global citizenship commitment to bring the benefits of relevant, accessible and affordable technology to those who don’t currently have it. Microsoft believes NGOs deserve access to the best technology tools to do their important work in their communities, and donates its software in support of their goals.

Since the launch of the Worldwide Software Donations Program, Microsoft has donated more than $29 million worth of software to nearly 3,000 organizations in eleven countries (not including its donations in the US and Canada). They make more than 50 products available on the TechSoup platform.

In addition to its software donations, Microsoft has invested nearly $3 million to seed the growth of TechSoup Global and its network of Partner NGOs around the world.

To access more Microsoft resources for NGOs, including free and donated software, software support, training, and case studies of how other NGOs are using technology, visit NGO Connection at www.microsoft.com/ngo.

DonorTec Impact | Outback radio station on forefront of technology

Carmina Sicangco — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:35:41 -0700

Umeewarra Aboriginal Media Association (UAMA) offers a very important service to the community of the Port Augusta region. As South Australia’s only Aboriginal radio station it has given the Aboriginal people a voice that they wouldn’t normally get in mainstream media.

UAMA produces a wide range of programs for the community. These include the Daily News, Job-watch, After School Show, Documentary Time, Aboriginal Current Affairs, a sports program, a gospel program and a country music show.

The programs all feature Indigenous content and local information. They offer a service that enables the community to have access to information on Indigenous issues and also offer positive stories from the Indigenous community.

UAMA is very much a part of the community in Port Augusta offering hands on assistance to individual community members. They assist with writing job applications, letters and liaising with government departments among many other things. The software now available to them has allowed them to do this in a very professional manner.

Gayle from UAMA says, “Our organisation purchased software through DonorTec and this has been of great benefit to our limited budget. Funding is tight and just keeping the doors open can be very difficult. DonorTec has enabled us to have up to date software on our computers and for a media organisation this is a vital part of being able to be competitive in our market.”

“We can’t thank DonorTec and their partners enough for their support not only to our organisation but to the community itself. It has been really important in enabling us to do the work we do.”

Click here to view the original case study.

DonorTec Impact | DADS get the tools to build a better life

Carmina Sicangco — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:34:50 -0700

D.A.D.S. is a nonprofit organisation run solely by volunteers offering assistance to men whose lives have been touched by disability and/or health issues. They provide a network for dads and other men who are able to share the problems they are facing in everyday life.

The men are able to share their concerns and frustrations in an open forum and find ideas to help with their own circumstances. They can get ideas as to how to assist with providing a productive life for people with a disability or health problem as well as sharing any issues which D.A.D.S. can help provide solutions for.

Through a generous donation from Microsoft D.A.D.S. received a comprehensive list of software which included Digital Image Suite and Office for MAC Professional Edition. These Microsoft products have made it possible for D.A.D.S. to produce quality PowerPoint presentations.

When coupled with the diagramming templates that Visio offers D.A.D.S. is now sharing stories with others more effectively than ever before. Microsoft has played a role in helping them grow from just 4 dads to 175 members in just 4 years.

Graham Mayer, Executive Director of D.A.D.S. says, "We currently have no funding whatsoever, we just can't afford the Microsoft software required to provide for our members. Having Microsoft donate their software through DonorTec means we can share information easily with our members and keep one another informed."

The donated Microsoft software procured has enabled D.A.D.S. to set up a website which provides a great source of information and tools for men who are seeking assistance. Information ranges from finding local resources for childcare to help in balancing work and family demands.

Graham has been so happy with the donated Microsoft products he has received through the DonorTec program he has referred at least 6 other organisations to DonorTec and says he tells everyone about it. "You'd be mad if you don't look into it, it really is too good to be true."

Click here to view the original case study.

DonorTec Impact | Women of Bega, doing ‘IT’ for themselves

Carmina Sicangco — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:33:41 -0700

Women's Resource Centre (WRC) provides free resources, information and referrals to women on a range of issues. They provide a safe and friendly space for women in the community to ‘drop-in', relax and meet with other women. WRC network with community groups and agencies to identify training gaps for workers as well as identifying and resolving issues of concern to women in the community.

WRC offer public access to computers, internet and email for people who don't own their own computer. Gabrielle from WRC says, "With our limited funding we have been able to save dollars by using the DonorTec program. This means we can offer other activities and spread our funding further."

As the WRC's donated Microsoft software came with two years of Software Assurance they will shortly be upgrading from Office Professional Plus 2003 to the latest 2010 version without having any further outlay. This means visitors to the centre can utilise the most current Office applications in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Visio.

Being able to upgrade for free to the latest Microsoft offerings available is of great assistance to those who are studying, running a small business or just simply wanting to learn more about computers. Generally it is of most benefit to women who do not have a computer of their own or simply don't know how to use them.

"I have highly recommended the DonorTec program to other nonprofit community services who are running a tight ship", says Gabrielle. "We really appreciate DonorTec's and Microsoft's support. They are greatly helping a very small organisation in regional NSW."

In fact Microsoft has played a major role in a ‘very small organisation' development to offer assistance to all women living in the Bega Valley region - which extends to a staggering 33,000 square kilometres.

"It really is a great resource for us to have up to date software and the benefits spread very far in our community."

Click here to view the original case study.

DonorTec Impact | Seniors have Access to safe and confident living

Carmina Sicangco — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:32:33 -0700

The Rosebud Police Senior Citizens Register Incorporated (RPSCRI) www.rosebudseniors.websyte.com.au is a charity organisation manned entirely by volunteers, and relies entirely on fundraisers and donations. Some of the many important functions RPSCRI performs include making elderly people feel safer, minimising the fear of crime amongst the elderly and increasing the awareness of elderly people to their own safety and security.

To aid in their service proviision RPSCRI maintains a register comprising more than 4000 senior residents of the Mornington Peninsula. They keep a database of important personal information for each of their senior clients which is of great assistance to emergency services when the need arises.

The database for this register is now run using "Access" from their donated Microsoft Office Professional suite of products. As a result information workers are now able to track and report information more reliably. Marie Parkinson from RPSCRI says "The Microsoft donated software has been a great asset to our organisation as it has provided a simple answer to our needs."

RPSCRI also publish newsletters; produce Word documents and PowerPoint presentations for seminars and training purposes. Using the donated Microsoft software now ensures a consistent and professional appearance.

As the donated Microsoft software came with Software Assurance, RPSCRI will likely be upgrading to the 2010 version of the Office Professional package, at no extra cost. This will mean volunteers will have access to the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Visio.

"The people who work on our register and computers are most grateful to Microsoft for making this software available to us," says Marie. "Thank you DonorTec for making this possible - every bit of help we can get is just terrific."

Click here to view the original case study.

Upgrading Keep Britain Tidy

Carmina Sicangco — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:51:13 -0700

Click on the image to view the full case study.

Who are they?
KEEP BRITAIN TIDY.

Where are they?
Working nationally; HQ in Wigan.

What do they do?
A campaigning environmental charity.

How big are they?
150 employees.

What did they receive?
Microsoft SQL & Windows servers, Outlook, Office Professional Plus and Windows 7.

Organization's URL
www.keepbritaintidy.org

The outcome?
Costs for upgrade programme substantially reduced.
“CTX is very beneficial in cutting down costs” – Cath Kilgallon.

Providing educational opportunities for poor children

Carmina Sicangco — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:42:19 -0700

Click on the image for the full case study.

Who are they?
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STREET KIDS.

Where are they?
Yorkshire, working on projects in developing countries.

What do they do?
Aim to help very poor children by providing educational opportunitites.

How big are they?
A turnover of just £6,000.

What did they receive?
Microsoft software: Visio, Office Professional Plus, PowerPoint, Expression Web 3, Windows upgrades.

Organization's URL
www.s4sk.org.uk

The outcome?
This tiny charity has been equipped with the latest software.
“Visio has been tremendous in helping us to strategise” – John McConnell.

Case Study: Familles Rurales

Carmina Sicangco — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:30:23 -0700

Click here for the full case study.

Who are they?
Familles Rurales

Where are they
All over France?

What do they do?
Promote the acceptance of families in rural and suburban areas

How big are they?
30,000 local associations

What did they receive?
Microsoft Windows Server 2008
Exchange Server 2007
Office Professional Plus 2007
Windows Terminal Services User CALs
Windows Server User CALs
Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition

The outcome?
Improved information and application sharing and more opportunities to involve volunteers.

Organization's URL:
www.famillesrurales26.org

Case Study: EMDH

Carmina Sicangco — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:28:18 -0700

Click here for the full case study.

Who are they?
EMDH

Where are they?
EMDH’s headquarters are in Paris

What do they do?
Protection of children and children’s rights

How big are they?
Around 800 employees and volunteers around the world

What did they receive?
Windows XP licenses

The outcome?
“This first donation … has opened the decision maker’s eyes to the importance of IT.”

Organization's URL:
www.emdh.org

Valuable contribution helping life’s little treasures

Carmina Sicangco — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:15:29 -0700

Click on the image to view the full case study.

Who are they?
Life’s Little Treasures Inc

Where are they?
Melbourne, Victoria

What do they do?
Provide support and assistance to families of premature babies throughout Victoria

What did they receive?
Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007/My Bookings Manager Executive

The outcome?
“The software makes us far more efficient & effective in what we do. It also ensures that material such as our newsletters & information booklets are of a much higher professional standard”
Shusannah Morris

Organization's URL:
www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au