The Nonprofit FAQ

How can I get software donated?
For equipment donation advice, see http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/faq/251-88/107-241 ....and:

TechSoup Stock, an online store operated by TechSoup, offers current office productivity and other software at low prices to qualifying nonprofits:

TechSoup

435 Brannan St., Suite 100

San Francisco, CA 94107

http://www.techsoup.org/stock/

1-800-659-3579 x700 or 1-415-633-9300 x700 for questions about TechSoup Stock as well as general questions. (TechSoup is a service of CompuMentor.)

Gifts In Kind International is a nonprofit organization that manages product-giving programs for hundreds of corporations, including many software developers. Qualified nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) status) may access donated software and other products in two ways: through a community agency partner (usually a United Way, volunteer agency, food bank or other outreach organization) or directly through Gifts In Kind. Gifts In Kind charges an annual registration fee based on budget and a nominal administrative fee for each donation that covers the cost of request processing, shipping and handling. Nonprofits do not need to be registered with Gifts In Kind to receive some software packages. Gifts In Kind distributes Attest Systems, Autodesk, Lotus Development Corp., Microsoft,
Novell and other software products. Visit the Gifts In Kind Web site (http://www.giftsinkind.org) for more information.

Gifts in Kind International

333 North Fairfax Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 836-2121

http://www.giftsinkind.org


Or:

(information from 4/93) Note: As with most corporations, cash grants may be limited to the geographic region where the corporation is located.

If you receive your first software as a gift, register it and you should be able to upgrade for minimal fees when future versions are issued.

Lotus Development Corp.

The Philanthropy Program

55 Cambridge Parkway

Cambridge, MA 02142

617-693-1667



Types of Gifts: Makes software donations to a wide range of nonprofits. Gifts in Kinds handles requests except in Boston area where they give directly. Provides cash grants to nonprofits mainly in Boston area that are trying to end racism or provide computer skills to needy people. Also provides free training in the use of computers to non-profit officials.

Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft Community Affairs

One Microsoft Way

Redmond, WA 98052-6399

206-936-8185

Types of Gifts: Cash grants to nonprofit groups in the area where company is located. Gives free software to any charity that requests it through Gifts in Kind except for local WA agencies (who should write directly to the address above and enclose a copy of their 501(c)(3) determination letter).

Note: Microsoft's policies have changed. Visit the TechSoup website (listed above) for more recent information. — Ed.



Network General Corp.

Community Relations Coordinator

4200 Bohannon Dr.

Menlo Park, CA 94025

415-688-2700

Types of Gifts: Cash grants to small nonprofits providing social services in the 25 cities where the company operates. Software donations to colleges that are struggling financially.

Novell

Corporate Donations Coordinator

2180 Fortune Dr.

San Jose, CA 95131

408-321-1514

Types of Gifts: Provdes software to nonprofits working with low-income people in area where company is located.

Quark

Donations Coordinator

1800 Grant St.

Denver, CO 80203

408-894-8888

Types of Gifts: Donations of software to environmental and human-rights organizations in addition to ones that fight discrimination.

There may be additional software companies giving software. It makes sense to contact the company particularly if they are in your geographic region.




This list dates from the earliest days of the FAQ. It has been kept in spite of the outdated information. Obviously, there are WWW addresses for the organizations listed above, and probably other changes that could be made. Suggestions for updates welcome. Information on Gifts in Kind updated 1/12/02; CompuMentor 10/21/02 and again 1/14/05. -- PB



Reformatted, 11/5/07 -- PB