Microsoft has changed its non-profit eligibility requirements to include faith-based organisations, as it launches its cloud-based suite of software products for charities worldwide.

Up until now religious organisations have been unable to claim charity discounts from Microsoft, unless they have a specific secular programme. Its new eligibility criteria says that organisations should have “recognised charitable status in their respective country and operate on a not-for-profit basis”. This now includes faith-based organisations such as churches, synagogues and missions with a focus on worship and evangelism.

The software company says it has changed its stance on religious as it “continues to track how the non-profit sector evolves and are adding support for religious organisations to recognise the important role they play in local communities around the world. Microsoft recognises that many faith-based organisations around the world are working to improve society through various philanthropic efforts, including alleviating poverty, job training, and strengthening communities.”

Eligible non profits can apply for a donation package (“E1 package”) through TechSoup Global, whose UK partner is the Charity Technology Trust (CTT), for access to the cloud-based Office 365 for Nonprofits. The programme has been launched in 41 countries, and Microsoft

Religious charities that have signed up to CTT’s charity donation programme, CTXchange, are now able to apply for up to 50 licences for up to 10 Microsoft products and up to five server products over a two-year period.

Richard Craig, chief executive of CTT, said: “Faith-based organisations have a long tradition of community service and making important contributions to public life in the UK and internationally. We are pleased that Microsoft recognises this and we are now able to offer its solutions to these charities through CTXchange thanks the newly expanded eligibility requirements.”

Microsoft is also offering a discounted rate on a larger suite of products, which includes collaborative tools such as Yammer (“E3 package).

Phil Humphries, head of ICT at Christian Aid, said: “We see Office 365 as an important enabler for our strategy of ensuring all staff can easily and reliably access not only email but also collaboration tools wherever they may be.”