Microsoft 365 Nonprofit and Xero for Nonprofits: Save Big on Technology

Real nonprofit success stories

We help our clients access the best possible price for their technology: 

Tearfund has over 50 Microsoft Enterprise licenses. For a regular (for-profit) organisation, this would cost nearly $3,000 per month, but thanks to their nonprofit discount we helped them obtain, they pay just over $700. That’s a savings of around $2,300 every month, adding up to over $25,000 a year they can put back into their mission! 

Read the Tearfund Case Study

Another client, Independent Living Services, was unaware of the charitable discounts available for their finance software subscriptions. We helped them secure discounts for financial tech: Xero, ApprovalMax, and Lightspeed, saving them over $650 annually.  

It goes to show that just because you’re a nonprofit organisation, doesn’t mean you can’t have high quality technology and great software. Most tech companies actually offer a nonprofit discount on their prices, as they recognise the importance of the work you do. We’re here to help you make use of these discounts. Because let’s face it, we ALL love a bargain!! 

In this article, we break down the practical steps of how to access and apply for these discounts, specifically:

1. Microsoft 365 discounts and grants
2. Xero discounts for nonprofits

Microsoft 365 Nonprofit Discounts

Microsoft has a special programme that gives nonprofit organisations discounts and free software. Here’s how your nonprofit can save: 

Available Discounts 

• Microsoft 365: Enable your team to collaborate seamlessly – For Free!! for up to 300 users (This is usually NZ$11.64 per person per month, so for 300 users on this grant, you’d be saving $3,492 a month and $41,904 annually)!! 
• Azure: A cloud hosting server – do the heavy digital lifting remotely with $2,000 worth of free credits every year. 
• Dynamics 365: Manage donors and volunteers more effectively with discounted rates on these services. 
• Surface Devices: Discounted prices on Microsoft Surface computers. 
• Windows 11: Free licenses for up to 50 computers. 

To get nonprofit discounts, you must: 

• Be a nonprofit or non-governmental organisation with legal status in your country. 
• Have a mission that helps the community. 
• Make sure that only eligible staff members use the software. 

How to Apply for the Discounts 

• Check if you qualify on the Microsoft website. 
• Register with TechSoup, which helps Microsoft confirm that your nonprofit is eligible. 
• Wait for approval (this might take about 10 business days). 
• Choose your discounts and apply for them. 

Read about our Microsoft 365 Licensing services

Xero for Nonprofits: Affordable finance software

Xero offers a 25% discount on their accounting software for nonprofits. This software helps nonprofits manage their money easily. 

How to claim the discount 

1. Sign up for a free 30-day trial or buy Xero. 
2. Show your nonprofit status (like your charity number). 
3. Apply for the discount within 31 days. 

With this discount, nonprofits can get great tools to manage their money without spending too much! 

Read about our Xero services

Other technology discounts for nonprofits

On top of these amazing savings, it’s worth ensuring your entire tech stack is on the correct pricing tier for your organisation. Many essential tools offer nonprofit pricing, including: 

• Adobe Creative Cloud – Special nonprofit pricing on design tools 
• Mailchimp – Discounted email marketing services 
• JotForm – Lower-cost form-building and data collection tools 
• Canva Pro – user-friendly design platform, free for nonprofit organisations

By optimising your software subscriptions, you can save significantly on admin costs and allocate more funds to your mission. Better yes, Dynamics 365 can actually incorporate functions such as forms and email, maybe it’s time to integrate! 

How to Access and Manage Your Nonprofit Discounts

Applying for nonprofit discounts can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. The process usually involves proving your charity or nonprofit status, registering through providers like TechSoup, and then applying directly with the software vendor. Each platform has its own requirements, which can make it tricky to keep track of eligibility and ongoing renewals.

That’s where we come in. At XP, we help nonprofits:

• Confirm eligibility for Microsoft 365 nonprofit, Xero for nonprofits, and other software discounts
• Apply for and secure the right licenses from the start
• Manage renewals, upgrades, and compliance so you stay on track
• Optimise your tech stack so you’re never overpaying

Learn more about our licensing services and let us take care of the details, so you can focus on your mission.