Microsoft has introduced charitable pricing for the non-profit organisations (NGOs) in Bangladesh in line with its “Technology for social impact” initiative in a bid to accelerate their transformation.

As part of the charitable pricing, NGOs will now be able to avail majority of standard Microsoft software and SaaS solutions, such as Office 365 E3 at affordable prices of 75 percent less than commercial pricing.

Likewise, most of the software and SaaS cloud solutions, designed for premium enterprise-class scenarios, such as Office 365 Enterprise E5, will be available at an average discount of 60 percent than the commercial pricing.

Eligible NGOs can also receive Office 365 Nonprofit as a donation or upgrade to advanced features at a significant discount. However, to qualify for an Office 365 Nonprofit plan, an organisation must hold recognised charitable status in Bangladesh and sign Microsoft’s non-discrimination policy.

Also, the NGOs must also operate on a not-for-profit basis and have a mission to benefit the local community like providing relief to the poor, advancing education, improving social welfare, preserving culture, preserving or restoring the environment, promoting human rights, and establishment of civil society.

“We at Microsoft are committed to bring the benefits of technology to all, and we believe nonprofits can scale impact through using technology; building on the same platform as the private sector. Bangladesh is home to 160 million people and a significant number of nonprofits are operating in the country in different capacities. Our commitment is to help them achieve their mission whether they are fighting poverty, inequality, upholding human rights or saving the environment,” said Sonia Bashir Kabir, managing director for Microsoft Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Laos.

Microsoft aims to triple the number of nonprofits it serves — to 300,000 over the next three years. To accomplish that, the organisation is making improvements and changes to nonprofit offers while continuing its longstanding donation program, including helping customers move to the cloud with Azure and Office 365 E1 donation offers.

To ensure that nonprofits have access to Microsoft technology in every corner of the world, the organisation has expanded the number of nonprofits which can obtain its technology. Now, nonprofit pricing is also available through Microsoft’s Enterprise Agreement structure, Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Program and Expansion of Open Charity pricing program.

To explore all Microsoft technology solutions and services for nonprofits and eligibility, please visit Microsoft Nonprofits homepage.