Microsoft extends global software donation program

Microsoft has announced plans to broaden its software donation program to reach more nonprofit organizations in more countries across the world. The company hopes to bring affordable technology access to an even wider audience.

The initiative originally began in 1988 and has since donated nearly $4 billion worth of software to needy organizations. The scheduled update will expand eligibility requirements to include medical research organizations, private foundations and amateur sports and recreation groups.

"Making technology more accessible enables nonprofits to increase their productivity, reach more people and deliver new, improved serivices that directly help local communities," said Akhtar Badshah, Microsoft's senior director of global community affairs. "The changes we're announcing are designed to make the program more relevant and accessible."

Nonprofit groups across 13 Appalachian states recently benefitted from a collective $2 million software donation from Microsoft intended to boost the technological competency of the regional workforce, according to the Associated Press.

The software provider will allow nonprofits to request up to 10 products throughout the year based on need. Microsoft is particularly poised to offer business solutions such as Windows 7, Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010.

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