Microsoft Non-Profit Eligibility Criteria

Following Care England’s ongoing conversations with Microsoft regarding changes to their non-profit eligibility criteria to exclude UK adult social care providers, we are pleased to share that we have reached a resolution regarding Microsoft’s position.

We have been informed by Microsoft that, since our discussions with them, they have updated their non-profit eligibility criteria to include many UK-based adult social care organisations. This means that previously excluded providers have now been re-approved for charitable access to Microsoft services.

We encourage all providers previously impacted by these changes to resubmit an eligibility request by click the “Get started” link on Microsoft’s Nonprofit Solutions & Technology | Microsoft Nonprofits page.

Please note that the validation process can take between 3 and 5 business days.

What happened?

Microsoft’s removal of charitable status from residential care charities was first brought to the attention of Care England in mid-October as members flagged their increasing cost lines. Care England reached out to Microsoft, as well as stakeholders such as the Digital Care Hub as well as colleagues from the Care Provider Alliance, to seek out information regarding the changes, who it has impacted, and what the nuances to these changes in eligibility criteria are exactly.

Care England received feedback into the justification behind this change, including complications regarding the manner by which Microsoft defines housing associations and care settings that entail accommodation for older adults. They apparently define this as housing the aged thus a ‘housing association’, the latter being excluded from Microsoft’s licensing, which seemed to be a source of the issue.

Through regular engagement with Care England, Microsoft decided to reverse their position that would impact several of our members.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out at policy@careengland.org.uk