The "why" behind Okta's expanded nonprofit offering

This week, we announced an expansion of Okta for Good’s product donation program for nonprofits. Here's how we're thinking about it and why this matters so much to us.

First, the details: we’re doubling the number of donated licenses for Okta’s Workforce Identity products from 25 to 50. Any nonprofit around the world verified by our partner, TechSoup, is eligible. We're also offering transparent discounting at 50% off any additional Workforce Identity licenses. You can read more about it here.  

Second, why we're doing it:

• In a year marked by urgent community needs and significant challenges for the nonprofit organizations that hold up our social safety net, we’re seeing an acceleration of technology adoption. Okta's annual Businesses@Work report reveals that, on average, organizations in every sector are using more applications than ever. And data from our partners at the Techsoup Global Network reveal that two-thirds of nonprofits adopted new digital tools as a result of COVID-19, with 65% expecting that those digital changes will remain a part of their long-term solutions. With Okta’s technology playing such a critical enabling role, our intention is to help accelerate every nonprofit organization’s ability to safely use any technology.
• Most nonprofits are small. They have lean teams and no in-house IT staff, let alone sufficient funding for tech needs. With this change, we’ll be able to offer Okta’s core products to approximately 80% of the world’s nonprofits for free. And recognizing that it’s not just about donating technology but enabling nonprofits to successfully use it, we’re on track to expand our Pro Bono Professional Services program this year. We’re also investing significant philanthropic dollars into supporting the nonprofit ecosystem’s better use of technology through our Nonprofit Technology Initiative. 
• One of Okta’s core values is “Love our Customers.” It would have been easy to crunch a few numbers and make a quick pricing update. Instead, the team, led by Adam Rosenzweig who heads up Okta for Good’s Product Impact function, spent nearly a year talking to customers and nonprofit leaders to figure out what they truly needed. What they heard: “Simplicity, transparency, and support.” I’m so proud of the way the team led with empathy and did the hard work of determining what was right for our nonprofit customers, then rallied the leadership inside of Okta to get it done. 

While we’re excited about this new commitment, we know we don’t have all the answers, and we recognize this is simply a next step on our journey. We always welcome feedback and ideas as we continue to build Okta’s social impact work - so please share!  

And for a deeper look at our approach to the nonprofit market, check out this great piece by Adam Rosenzweig, Okta for Good’s Product Impact lead.