Grant Approval: Microsoft ($17,910)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) works each year to obtain any software needed by BDPA for its programs and services. One of our partners in this effort is Microsoft.

We work through the folks at Tech Soup to request software donations from Microsoft. We were pleased to learn that Microsoft approved $17,910 in software donations.

Their approval letter read as follows:

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At Microsoft, we believe technology can do amazing things. That's why we partner with thousands of organizations like yours around the world to help each one achieve its mission. Through our Microsoft Unlimited Potential efforts, we provide technology tools, training, and resources that can help change people's lives and transform communities. Congratulations on being part of our global community!

Microsoft is pleased to support BDPA Education and Technology Foundation with a Microsoft software donation valued at $17,910.00. This letter includes a list of the products you requested and the estimated market value of your donation. Please print copies of this letter for your license and tax records.

In addition to this donation, we also offer other resources, tips, and tools to help you work more efficiently and effectively to achieve your mission. You can find these resources at http://www.microsoft.com/ngo. We have also created specific guidance on what to expect from a partnership with Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/nonprofittoolkit, including resources to help you communicate the benefits of our partnership and connect with other organizations.

If you want to learn more, have access to the latest news and resources, and continue to inform our work, please join our online community.

• http://www.facebook.com/microsoftcitizenship
• "Like" our page and engage in discussion
• Tag the Microsoft Citizenship page in relevant posts
• http://twitter.com/msftcitizenship
• Mention @msftcitizenship in tweets
• Stay up to date on the latest news and offers
• http://www.microsoftupblog.com/
• Read the latest stories about Microsoft Unlimited Potential
• Comment and let us know your thoughts

For more information about Microsoft, our citizenship efforts, and investments in communities around the world, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/citizenship .

Sincerely,
Akhtar Badshah, Senior Director
Microsoft Community Affairs

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Kudos to David Palmer, our BETF volunteer leader, for his efforts in bringing home this software donation. He was joined in this effort by volunteers in Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus and Los Angeles. The software donated to BETF included Office Professional, Office Pro Plus 2007, Office Pro Plus 2010, Windows XP Pro Upgrade and Windows 7/XP/Vista Business.

This is a great news message that gets us off to a strong start for the new year!

Grant Award: Microsoft

The BDPA Foundation and BDPA Cincinnati chapter are proud to announce that Microsoft agreed to provide the software needed for the server and 25 computers at local community technology center.

Microsoft general manager Marietta Davis wrote:

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Dear Wayne Hicks:

Microsoft is pleased to contribute software valued at USD $121,167.00 to BDPA Education and Technology Foundation. We hope this gift will go a long way in supporting your mission helping to deliver important services to your local community.

Microsoft and its employees have long recognized the importance of being engaged in supporting communities around the world. Through our Unlimited Potential commitment to bring technology to the next 5 billion people, Microsoft seeks to reach the first billion people by 2015. The Microsoft Unlimited Potential - Community Technology Skills program focuses on improving IT skills for underserved individuals and communities through community technology centers or telecenters.

By offering grants of cash, software, and curriculum we can partner to create social and economic opportunities that can change peoples' lives and transform communities.

We wish BDPA Education and Technology Foundation every success in attaining its important goals through the use of this software. Keep up your good work.

Sincerely,
Marietta Davis
General Manager
Microsoft Heartland District

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Steve Gutter (chapter VP-Finance) and Frank Hill (chapter past president) worked closely with the BDPA Foundation to finalize the grant proposal. Please use the COMMENTS section below to share any of your thoughts on this software grant donation!

Grant Proposal: Microsoft

Microsoft offers two primary ways for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs, also known as nonprofit organizations) to acquire the Microsoft technology they need:

1. Use Windows Live or Microsoft Office Live services and other online applications to access free software through the Internet.


2. Apply for a software grant through the Microsoft Software Donation program.

The BDPA Foundation and BDPA Cincinnati chapter partnered with the Microsoft management team to submit a $935,475 grant proposal through the software donation program. The proposal focused on providing software necessary to upgrade 25 desktop computers in the chapter's Community Technology Center.

Steve Gutter (chapter VP-Finance) and Frank Hill (chapter past president) worked closely with the BDPA Foundation to finalize the grant proposal. We feel that the grant will be positively received by Microsoft. BDPA Cincinnati chapter plans to use the software to expand their Student IT Education & Scholarship (SITES) program in a centralized CTC facility in 2009.

We will let you know the final disposition on this grant proposal. Is your chapter working with the BDPA Foundation yet?