Microsoft 365 Copilot is a new feature that uses large language models (LLM) to help you work more efficiently and creatively. Non-profit organizations can use Microsoft 365 Copilot for free if they are eligible for Microsoft’s grants and discounts for cloud services. To apply, you need to register your organization and verify your non-profit status on Microsoft’s website.
How can I register my organization?
To register your organization, you need to visit the Microsoft for Nonprofits registration portal and click on the Register button. Then, you need to provide your organization details for verification purpose and create your account with Microsoft. You also need to gather documents that prove your organization’s eligibility, such as legal status, mission statement, and annual report.
How long does it take to verify my organization?
(1) Resister directly
In my experience, if you register directly through the website mentioned above, approval is typically completed within two days.
(2) Register with help from TechSoup
According to TechSoup, a partner of Microsoft that helps nonprofits access technology solutions, it can take up to 20 business days for Microsoft to verify your organization’s eligibility after you submit your application. You will receive an email from Microsoft when your verification is complete. However, additional fees may apply depending on the country.
Which plan should I use to use Microsoft 365 Copilot?
To get Microsoft 365 Copilot, you need to have a Microsoft 365 subscription that includes the productivity apps that Copilot works with, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams and more.
You can subscribe to plans such as Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Business Premium, E3 and E5.
Which micorosoft 365 plans are free for nonprofits?
The Microsoft 365 Business Premium plan is free for up to 10 users, and the desktop app is also available. It is very effective for small non-profit organizations.
For more than 10 people, I recommend the Business Standard plan.
Microsoft 365 Business Basic : Free for up to 300 users
Microsoft 365 Business Basic : $3 per user per month
Microsoft 365 Business Premium : First 10 licenses free; $5.5 per user per month thereafter
Microsoft 365 Nonprofit E3: $9 per user per month
Microsoft 365 Nonprofit E5: $22.8 per user per month
When will people start using Microsoft 365 Copilot?
Microsoft 365 Copilot is currently in testing with select commercial customers and will be expanding to more customers in the coming months. It is currently scheduled for April 2023. However, you should know that it can be extended at any time.
How can I enable Microsoft 365 Copilot?
To use Copilot, you need to have IT admins enable Copilot.
If you are IT admin, you can enable Copilot by logging into the Microsoft 365 admin center and selecting Settings > Services & add-ins > Copilot and then clicking Turn on. Once you enable Copilot, your users can get help from Copilot.
Conclusion
First, subscribe to Microsoft 365. And when you see an announcement that Microsoft is expanding to general users, ask your IT admin to enable Copilot.
If you belong to a nonprofit organization, sign up for a free plan in advance.
