Recent Discussions
Microsoft Teams vs. Zoom
Hi Community We are in need of great marketing material to convince our customers that MS Teams is better, safer and provides all the benefits that Zoom provides. Some of our feedback includes In a large group setting there will be some participants who are worried about using any system other than Zoom. Slack has a video meeting feature now, so you have meetings and collaboration spaces. Two-person Huddles are available in the free version of Slack. A paid slack account can support Huddles of up to 50 people. Some outside presenters simply don’t want to use anything but Zoom. You can establish a Zoom ongoing meeting link where a staff member doesn’t have to be present, and participants can use it whenever they want to meet. With Teams, at least one participant needs to have a Guest account in our tenant to start the meeting. The browser is more difficult to use, and participants don’t want to install the software. The meeting join experience is more cumbersome. Don’t know how to enable audio devices. Don’t realize that the hyperlink is the meeting link. Takes time to embed the entire, visible meeting link like Zoom. A plus is that Teams allows you to set up features and initial chat ahead of time. Some people have trouble with the Bookings experience. Staff and others experience what appears to be bandwidth issues, running other apps at the same time. Teams Notes and Loop seem useful, but there is some initial confusion about how the new features work. Thanks.
EM+S E3 50 Seat Legacy donation - some customers being charged - why?
Hi, Bit of a niche question and probably only relates to non-profit customers who subscribed to this prior to September 2019. I know that back in September 2019 it was announced that the non-profit donation of 50-seat Microsoft 365 Enterprise Mobility + Security E3 was being discontinued for new customers, but Microsoft said then that customers who had already procured these donated subscriptions could keep them in perpetuity as a legacy donation. A couple of our clients have received renewal invoices for this product but with the non-profit staff pricing rather than the donation pricing. Of customers who have had a renewal recently, only 2 have been charged with others still receiving the donation. These are all Direct Bill customers. I know that the Office365 E2 Grant is being discontinued from October renewals but have not seen anything similar for the EM+S E3 donation. Have I missed something? Has anyone else experienced similar? I have reached out with a service request but the suggested explanation was way off the mark, saying that it was due to changing from monthly to annual billing, which wasn't the case, as shown by the previous year's zero annual invoice. Appreciate your input. Thanks, Colin
Important update to multi-factor authentication settings
Microsoft is making a change to multi-factor authentication (MFA). The phone call method will be removed to improve security for Microsoft. On March 19, 2024 PST the default MFA method will be changed from Phone Call to the Microsoft Authenticator app. You can verify your MFA configuration at https://aka.ms/MySecurityInfo and make sure that your devices are up to date. What is the Microsoft Authenticator app? This is a mobile application available for install on your smartphone or tablet as an MFA method to approve sign-in requests. Instructions for Microsoft Authenticator app installation and usage can be found on https://aka.ms/AuthAppInfo Why is phone call authentication being removed? To improve Microsoft’s security posture, we are transitioning users to more secure authentication methods. The phone call method enables you to verify your identity by calling your registered phone number to validate. This method is vulnerable to phishing attacks resulting in identity compromise. Information and Support If you are unable to validate a different authentication method or for any issues or questions, please contact Global Helpdesk via https://aka.ms/TechWebFundraising and Engagement solution retiring on December 31, 2026
Sharing this for those who haven't seen the announcement (the following was emailed to existing users of the Fundraising and Engagement solution): Fundraising and Engagement will be retired Microsoft remains committed to providing affordable and relevant technology and skilling to nonprofit organizations worldwide. As we continue to innovate and enhance our technology offerings, we are making strategic updates to our suite of solutions. Notably, the Fundraising and Engagement solution will be retired, with technical support concluding at 11:59 PM PT (US) on December 31, 2026. As of July 15, 2024, Microsoft will continue providing necessary security updates, but will not make additional enhancements to Fundraising and Engagement. Between July 15, 2024, and December 31, 2026, you can continue to use Fundraising and Engagement, apply security updates as they are made available from Microsoft, and receive technical support from Microsoft. After December 31, 2026, Microsoft will no longer implement security updates for Fundraising and Engagement, and there will be no further technical support for the solution. What action should your organization take? We want to ensure that all customers have a successful path forward on the Microsoft Cloud for their organizational fundraising needs. Customers currently using Fundraising and Engagement should work with their Microsoft Partner to identify the future configuration of Dynamics 365 Sales needed to meet their specific 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. Alternatively, customers can explore Microsoft partner solutions for donor management and fundraising built on Dynamics 365 Sales that have been specifically designed for customers transitioning from Fundraising and Engagement, including solutions from Barhead, mhance, and SylogistMission CRM. More solutions will be coming soon in the Partner solutions area of Solution Center. If you have questions about these changes, please contact your Microsoft account team, your Microsoft Partner, or use this form to contact us. Sincerely, Microsoft Tech for Social Impact Team
Check out our new Digital Skills Resource Hub!
As we kick off our Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit this week, we wanted to share a new resource we will showcase at our breakout session “Leveling up on AI Skills”. Microsoft has launched a Digital Skills Resource Hub with free skills training content, resources, curriculum and insights to help you and your organization thrive in the new age of AI. Whether you’re interested in learning the latest on AI, cybersecurity, sustainability or in developing your foundational digital literacy and productivity skills, you’ll find training materials to support nonprofits, educators and community organizations all in one place, including our newly released AI Trainer Toolkit available in multiple languages. Explore the Digital Skills Resource Hub and learn how you and your community can harness the power of AI. Together, we can expand economic opportunity and growth for all.Save the Date: Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit in 2025
We are excited to announce next year’s Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit on March 25-27, 2025. The in-person event will be in Bellevue, WA, with select sessions available virtually. We look forward to convening tech innovators plus nonprofit leaders, sparking valuable conversations on responsible AI, accelerating social impact, and the possibilities offered by AI innovation. To get an invitation and upcoming announcements on speakers and sessions: Sign up to get invited! We'll notify you when registration opens. Follow us on LinkedIn to get updatesAzure Web Apps vs. Azure App Service, which is right for you?
Microsoft Azure offers valuable services for nonprofit organizations. Azure Web Apps streamlines web application management, while Azure App Service provides a comprehensive toolkit for web and mobile apps and automation. Explore our blog for a deeper understanding and to choose the right fit for your organization. Understanding Azure Web Apps and Azure App serviceRecap Global Summit with Copilot!
On January 31 and February 1, 2024, Microsoft hosted its first-ever Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit in Bellevue, Washington. The summit was a two-day event that brought together nonprofit executives from around the world to learn, share, and collaborate on how to leverage technology and artificial intelligence (AI) for their missions. The summit featured keynote speakers, panel discussions, how-to sessions, demos, workshops, and networking opportunities with leaders across the nonprofit community. Some of the highlights included: Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, welcomed the attendees and shared Microsoft’s vision and commitment to empower nonprofits with technology and AI. Trevor Noah, Comedian, TV Host, and Author, entertained the audience with his witty and insightful Q&AI session, where he asked and answered questions about AI, ethics, and social impact. Dr. Fei-Fei Li, Professor and Co-Director of Stanford’s Human Centered AI Institute, inspired the attendees with her keynote on how to design and use AI for good, with a focus on human values, diversity, and inclusion. Hadi Partovi, Founder and CEO of Code.org, shared his story and passion for computer science education and how nonprofits can use AI to scale their programs and reach more people. Lauren Woodman, CEO of DataKind, moderated a panel of nonprofit leaders who shared their experiences and best practices on how they are using AI to enhance their work in areas such as fundraising, marketing, and program delivery. Jaime Teevan, Chief Scientist and Technical Fellow at Microsoft, introduced the Nonprofit Community, a new online platform where nonprofits can connect, learn, and access exclusive resources and opportunities from Microsoft and its partners. Afua Bruce, Author of The Tech that Comes Next and Founder and Principal of ANB Advisory Group, closed the summit with a call to action for nonprofit leaders to embrace technology and AI as a catalyst for change and innovation. The summit also launched the Nonprofit Community, a new online platform where nonprofits can connect, learn, and access exclusive resources and opportunities from Microsoft and its partners. The Nonprofit Community is a place for nonprofits to share their stories, challenges, and best practices, as well as get support and feedback from peers and experts. If you missed the chance to attend the summit, you can still watch the recordings of the virtual sessions by visiting the summit website and using the code VIRTUAL. You can also join the Nonprofit Community platform to learn, connect, and collaborate with the nonprofit community and Microsoft. The Microsoft Tech For Nonprofit Global Conference was a unique opportunity for nonprofit leaders to join the inspir AI tion and discover how to harness the power of technology and AI for social good. We hope you enjoyed the summit and we look forward to seeing you at the next one. 🙌 Here are few clicks;Trevor Noah: Q&AI
Trevor Noah and Kate Behncken, CVP, Microsoft Philanthropies, talk about the role of curiosity and questions in the midst of the big changes and challenges that AI transformation brings. How are you fostering a sense of curiosity and a growth mindset at your organization? Respond to Trevor's insights and add your own ideas and questions here! Thanks for being a part of the Summit.Azure Virtual Desktop and Azure Nonprofit Credits
Hello, I'm Tom from IT4Causes and we love Microsoft's support for nonprofits! A few years back, when Azure Virtual Desktop was just coming on line, we understood that we could not pay for AVDs using the $3500/yr Azure credit for nonprofits. Has that changed? Is anybody out there using their Azure credits for VDIs, and if so, how is working for you? Thanks!Interesting question posed to me yesterday
Since MS's Nonprofit Global Leaders Summit, I have been talking to many people in our organisation about the benefits of Gen AI and trying to allay fears that it is going to take their jobs. However, yesterday a person getting started with her career asked me an excellent and very valid question that I did not know how to answer. I thought I would bring it to this community to see if anyone had thoughts or ideas on how to respond to it. This person is a creative person. The question: "I understand that AI can help me do my job. However, I get immense job and self-satisfaction from the creative process and knowing that I am the one who created the content, design, whatever it might be. If I offload that to AI, where does the job satisfaction come in?" Thoughts?Participe do AI for ChangeMakers em 27/05
AI for ChangeMakers: um evento imperdível para quem quer usar a inteligência artificial para impacto social e ambiental Confira a programação completa e saiba como participar desse encontro online e gratuito que reunirá especialistas, jornalistas e organizações sociais que estão usando a IA para transformar o mundo O que é o AI for ChangeMakers? O AI for ChangeMakers é um evento presencial com transmissão ao vivo, gratuito que acontecerá na segunda-feira, dia 27 de maio, das 9h às 18h, com o objetivo de mostrar como a inteligência artificial pode ser usada pleo terceiro setor. O evento é uma iniciativa da Microsoft, em parceria com o GIFE e a TechSoup. Programação: O evento terá como mestre de cerimônias o jornalista Pedro Doria. Inicio Fim Tema Speaker 9:00 9:30 Café da manhã de boas vindas 9:30 9:45 Boas Vindas Lucia Rodrigues (Líder de Filantropia para Microsoft Brasil) 9:45 10:15 Impacto Social e Inteligencia Artificial Pedro Doria 10:15 11:00 O que é IA Generativa? Stéfany Mazon (Diretora de IA para Microsoft Brasil) 11:00 11:15 Intervalo 11:15 12:30 IA para Educação Vera Cabral (Diretora de Educação Microsoft Latam) Ana Ligia Scaccheti (Presidente da Nova Escola) 12:30 13:00 O uso ético e responsável da IA Tatiana Aidar (Especialista de Dados e IA) 13:00 14:00 Almoço 14:00 14:30 IA na luta contra o desmatamento Lucia Rodrigues (Líder de Filantropia para Microsoft Brasil) 14:30 15:00 Cases SLMIT de Impacto Social com IA João Benito Savastano, Heber Lopes, Eston Santos 15:00 15:30 IA para Acessibilidade Ricardo Wagner (Diretor de Modern Work na Microsoft) 15:30 16:00 Regulamentação e Políticas Públicas na Era da IA Alessandra Del Debbio (Vice-Presidente de Assuntos Jurídicos e Corporativos LATAM) 16:00 16:45 IA para medir e ampliar o impacto do jornalismo independente Marina Dias (Diretora de Comunicação da Publica Agencia de Jornalismo Investigativo) Bate papo com Rachel Quintiliano (Gerente de Relações Institucionais do GIFE) 16:45 17:00 Intervalo 17:00 17:30 Aprenda a usar o Copilot Milene Coelho (Executiva de Contas para Soluções de Publicidade) 17:30 17:45 Nonprofit Community Platform Lucia Rodrigues (Líder de Filantropia para Microsoft Brasil) 17:45 18:00 Como acessar doações de software da Microsoft com a TechSoup José Avando (Presidente da TechSoup Brasil) 18:00 19:00 Happy Hour na Microsoft Como participar do evento? Para participar do evento, basta se inscrever gratuitamente no site para receber o link de acesso por e-mail. O evento será transmitido ao vivo e os participantes poderão interagir com os convidados e fazer perguntas pelo chat. Não perca essa oportunidade de aprender mais sobre a inteligência artificial e como ela pode ser usada para o impacto social e ambiental. Inscreva-se já e convide seus amigos para o AI for ChangeMakers!Copilot Products: Breakdown
We've seen a lot of copilot demos in the last couple of days: here's what the products are and what they do: 1. Microsoft Copilot: Formerly Bing chat has access to the internet but not your email or calendar 2. Microsoft 365 Copilot: Everything in MS copilot plus access your 365 email, calendar, etc. 3. Microsoft CoPilot Studio: low code interface to customize virtual power agents that enable customization of your AI Community and Microsoft team- please add or correct!Navigating Power BI's License Structure for Cost-Effective Data Analytics
Power BI serves as a crucial tool in business intelligence, converting raw data into valuable insights, and its popularity is attributed to its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with Microsoft products. The understanding of Power BI's license structure is essential for cost-effective utilization, with options ranging from individual use (Power BI Free) to enterprise-level solutions (Power BI Premium), and best practices involve assessing organizational needs, exploring trial versions, ensuring scalability, considering hybrid options for data sensitivity, and staying updated on licensing changes. To learn more about best practices and which Power BI license is for you, please visit our blog below. Empowering Your Data Visualization Journey with the Right Power BI LicenseCareer Essentials Certificate in Sustainability Skills by Microsoft and LinkedIn
As part of our ongoing commitment to provide people with skills for in-demand jobs, I’m pleased to share that our new sustainability skills training is now available. The new learning pathway will help learners harness the power of technology to foster sustainable change. Upon completion of the course, learners will earn a Career Essentials Certificate in Sustainability Skills by Microsoft and LinkedIn. The new pathway will enable learners to: Explore foundational sustainability concepts Discover opportunities for sustainable innovation Learn how technology can be leveraged for sustainability Identify sustainable solutions using Microsoft Cloud This new pathway will be available until 2025 by signing into LinkedIn with a free account. *Available in English only, new languages will be available in February 2024
Recent Blogs
- Details: Made possible by a partnership between Microsoft and Everyone On This free introductory course teaches adults the basics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its practical applications....Mar 07, 2025
- Use Case: Nonprofit Organization Billing Inquiry Imagine you're a member of a nonprofit organization responsible for managing your Microsoft 365 subscription. Recently, you noticed an unexpected ch...Feb 28, 2025
