Microsoft's commitment to nonprofit success: Evolving our innovation strategy with AI
At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As part of that work, Tech for Social Impact (TSI), part of Microsoft Philanthropies, develops technology and skilling that help nonprofit organizations tackle the world’s biggest challenges. Last year, Microsoft provided more than $3.8 billion in technology discounts and donations to more than 377,000 nonprofits around the world. And this year we will provide more grants and discounts to more nonprofits than in any previous year.
Over the past two years, we have witnessed the rapid rise of AI innovation and adoption, inspiring us all with its promise and impact. Our goal in TSI is to ensure that AI’s promise can be realized by all nonprofits, and that means we must focus our resources on the Microsoft Cloud and AI. To do that, we are dedicating more AI resources to help nonprofits navigate their AI transformation. We will be launching a new Azure Landing Zone for smaller nonprofits to help them secure their data and prepare for AI. We will also be releasing new Power Platform-based template apps that are aligned to the Common Data Model for Nonprofits to help accelerate partner innovation in the areas of fundraising, grant management, and outcomes management. These template apps will be available in Solution Center during the second half of calendar year 2024.
We will be retiring our first-party fundraising solution called Fundraising and Engagement. Microsoft will continue to fully support Fundraising and Engagement through December 31, 2026, providing a 2.5-year transition planning timeline. All standard Microsoft service and support levels will remain in place until that date.
This evolution represents an important change for our nonprofit and partner ecosystem, enabling us to offer more choice and more innovation to nonprofits of all sizes globally. For larger organizations, customers can utilize Microsoft partner solutions for fundraising and donor engagement built on Dynamics 365 that are designed for customers transitioning from Fundraising and Engagement – available on Microsoft AppSource. Smaller organizations can take advantage of the fundraising template app built on Power Platform.
Additionally, customers can leverage other best of breed industry-specific fundraising solutions on Microsoft AppSource built on our AI platforms, the Microsoft Cloud, and the Common Data Model for Nonprofits.
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Customers should work with their partner to determine the best path forward for their organizational fundraising needs. If your organization does not have a Microsoft Partner, you can find a partner with knowledge of the Fundraising and Engagement solution at Microsoft.com/nonprofits.?
To support your decision-making, Microsoft will provide a one-time assessment for customers spending over $5000 (USD) annually on Dynamics 365. This assessment, available in late August 2024, aims to help your organization determine the best path forward by evaluating the available alternatives for your fundraising needs.
Our mission remains steadfast – we are here to empower nonprofits around the globe with the technology and skilling they need to solve the world’s problems. We provide discounts and grants across the Microsoft Cloud including Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Microsoft Surface, Microsoft Azure, and Power Apps. We will continue to invest in AI evolution and optimization within our own teams so we can help our partners and customers utilize, evolve, and optimize this powerful technology to meet their mission impact and business goals.
Learn more about nonprofit offers from Microsoft at aka.ms/nonprofits.
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Head of Business Systems - AMREF
2 个月We acknowledge Microsoft's strategic shift towards AI; however, it is quite disappointing to hear about the decision to retire the Fundraising and Engagement (F&E) solution. Over the past few years, we have made significant investments in onboarding our fundraising teams to adopt F&E, and it has truly been a transformative tool for our efforts. Nonprofit organizations typically plan for long-term technology implementations, often spanning 5+ years. While there is an option to continue without Microsoft's direct support, it is hard to overlook the sense that Microsoft has not fully honored its commitment to this space.
Senior Director, Martech Solutions
3 个月While microsoft commitment to non profit is appreciated, the retiring of F&E is a huge let down and this decreases the trust on Microsoft product offering for Non Profits. Microsoft should consider the reality of Non Profits and should not change the product offerings. F&E was introduced two or three years before and organisations like us trusted this commitment from Microsoft , but only to find that after three years Microsoft decides to retire Fundraising & Engagement. Imagine the plight of Non Profits who are already struggling with minimum technology budget , now need to recalibrate and spend more dollars to adopt a different approach. Microsoft should understand the sensitiveness and the reality of Non Profits and support them for long term. Clearly this is creates distrust and Microsoft for Non Profits is not walking the talk.
Construction Project Manager at Roseville Projects
3 个月Impressive.
B2B Field and Partner Marketing Leader | Industry and ABM Marketing | Passionate about Social Impact, Entrepreneurship, and Partnerships
4 个月It’s amazing to see how tech can supercharge a nonprofit’s impact! Tech for Social Impact is a game-changer for nonprofits. I’m really impressed with how Microsoft brings partners into the mix to make sure nonprofits get the most out of the software solutions, tech integrations and template apps. It’s a great way to make sure nonprofits can access the best tech while focusing on their mission!
Digital and Data Exec Director/AI Strategist/Design thinking approach to Digital and Business Transformation.
4 个月Very interesting development. We will speak to our TSI team about this