What's Changing with Microsoft 365 Non-Profit Grants?

from 1st July 2025, Microsoft will no longer be offering free grants for Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Office 365 E1.

For some time, many charities and non-profit organisations have benefited from these grants (for up to 10 licences) to access powerful productivity tools without the cost. However, after July 2025, these free licences will no longer be available when it's time for renewal.

Just to clarify: This change only applies to the free, grant-based licences. If your organisation is already on a paid Microsoft 365 subscription, your services and pricing will remain as they are. This update doesn't affect you.

When Will This Change Affect Your Organisation?

The expiration of these free licences will happen on your organisation's next renewal date after 1st July 2025. So, for instance, if your renewal date for these specific grants falls on 25th November 2025, that's when you'd need to consider either paying for those licences or exploring other suitable options. This gives you a reasonable timeframe to plan ahead.

What Microsoft 365 Support Is Still Available for Non-Profits?

While the Business Premium and E1 grants are being adjusted, Microsoft continues to offer valuable support to non-profits. Here’s what remains available:

• Up to 300 free licences of Microsoft 365 Business Basic: This is a fantastic option! You'll still have access to essential cloud-based tools like Exchange email, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, and the web versions of Office apps (Word, PowerPoint, Excel). You can find more details on Microsoft's official site.
• Discounts of up to 75% on other Microsoft 365 plans, including Business Premium and Office 365 E1, for eligible non-profit organisations. You can explore these discounted plans and pricing options on Microsoft's non-profit pricing page.

These options ensure that non-profits can continue to access powerful Microsoft tools. Organisations that require the advanced functionality of Business Premium or E1 beyond July 2025 will now need to factor in the cost of these discounted subscriptions.

Understanding Business Premium vs. Business Basic

To help you decide your next steps, here's a brief look at the difference between Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Business Basic:

• Microsoft 365 Business Basic provides the core cloud services your team needs: Exchange for email, Teams for collaboration, OneDrive for cloud storage, SharePoint for internal sites, and the web-based versions of Office applications. It's a solid foundation for productivity.
• Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes everything in Business Basic, plus full desktop versions of Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.), advanced cybersecurity features like Microsoft Defender for Business, device management capabilities through Intune, and more comprehensive tools for secure collaboration and productivity. It's often the preferred choice for organisations needing greater control, robust protection, and flexibility across their IT environment. You can find out more about Business Premium for non-profits on Microsoft's official page.

What Your Organisation Might Like to Do

If your non-profit currently uses Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Office 365 E1 under the free grant programme, it could be beneficial to begin planning your transition in good time before July 2025.

Considering your current usage, understanding your organisation's specific needs, and exploring the available free or discounted options now can help ensure a smooth transition.

For comprehensive information and resources, you can always visit the main Microsoft for Non-profits portal.

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