Microsoft has expanded its software donations programme, widening the types of charities that can apply and allowing them to order more products.

Three new types of organisation are now eligible for the scheme, namely medical research organisations, private foundations and amateur sports and recreational organisations.

Meanwhile, charities will also now be able order discounted copies of ten different Microsoft software products in a two-year period, having previously been limited to six.

Furthermore, they will be able to make these requests whenever required, whereas previously they were limited to one bulk order per year.

£47m since 2006

In the UK, charities can order Microsoft products such as Windows 7, Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010 through the Charity Technology Trust’s CTXchange.

Microsoft says it has provided £47m worth of discounted software in the UK since 2006.

Matt Lambert, director of corporate affairs and citizenship at Microsoft, said: “While we already help a sizeable number of charities, we want to help more.

“The changes we’re announcing today are designed to make the programme more relevant and accessible to a larger number of charities, which will in turn have a positive impact in local communities across the UK.”