Quick Answer

All UK businesses can use Microsoft 365 — commercial pricing from £5.10/user/month. Nonprofits & charities get special grants: 10 FREE Business Basic licences + Business Premium at ~£4.50 (75% off). Typical nonprofit savings: £5,000–£15,000/year. Coreitech helps all organisations — call 0203 834 9728.

— Microsoft 365 Pricing & Grants · 2026 Guide

Microsoft 365 Business Plans UK
2026 Pricing & Grants

Compare Microsoft 365 Business plans for UK organisations — commercial businesses from £5.10/user/month, nonprofits & charities get 10 free licences + 75% discounts. This guide covers all plans, pricing, features, and how eligible nonprofits can claim Microsoft grants.

10
Free Business Basic Licences
Per eligible charity
£4.50
Business Premium
Per user/month (vs £20)
£5K–£15K+
Annual Savings
Typical charity savings
100%
Grant Success Rate
Coreitech applications
— Overview

What are Microsoft 365
Nonprofit grants?

Microsoft 365 Nonprofit grants are discounted and free Microsoft 365 licences made available to eligible nonprofit organisations through Microsoft's Tech for Social Impact programme (formerly Microsoft Philanthropies). The programme recognises the critical role nonprofits play in society and aims to provide them with enterprise-grade technology at affordable prices.

You don't need to be a registered charity — the grants are available to charities, CICs, community groups, sports clubs, faith groups and other nonprofit organisations. For UK nonprofits registered with the Charity Commission, OSCR (Scotland), CCNI (Northern Ireland), or Companies House (for CICs and community groups), the grants provide:

  • Up to 10 free Microsoft 365 Business Basic licences — includes Teams, Exchange Online, SharePoint, OneDrive
  • Discounted Business Premium at ~£4.50/user/month — adds desktop Office apps, Intune MDM, Entra ID P1, Defender for Business
  • Discounted Business Standard at ~£2.50/user/month — adds desktop Office apps to Business Basic
  • Enterprise E3 plans at discounted rates — for larger charities needing advanced compliance and eDiscovery

The savings are substantial: a 20-person charity using Business Premium would pay approximately £90/month (£1,080/year) with nonprofit pricing vs £400/month (£4,800/year) at commercial rates — a saving of £3,720 annually on licensing alone.

Need Microsoft 365 set up for your business?

Coreitech manages your full Microsoft 365 tenant — setup, migration, licensing, security, and ongoing support. See our M365 pricing →

Microsoft 365 Nonprofit Plans Compared
Business BasicFREE
Up to 10 · Teams, Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive (cloud only)
Best for: Frontline staff, volunteers, basic users
Business Premium~£4.50/user/mo
Unlimited · Desktop Office, Intune MDM, Entra ID P1, Defender
Best for: Admin staff, management, power users
Business Standard~£2.50/user/mo
Unlimited · Desktop Office + Business Basic features
Best for: Users needing Office desktop apps
Office 365 E3Discounted (POA)
Unlimited · Enterprise features, eDiscovery, compliance
Best for: Large charities with complex needs
— Eligibility

Who is eligible for
Microsoft 365 Nonprofit grants?

Eligible Organisation Types

Registered charities (Charity Commission for England & Wales)
Scottish charities (OSCR registered)
Northern Ireland charities (CCNI registered)
Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
Community Interest Companies (CICs) with charitable objects
Faith-based organisations (registered or not)
Scout/Guide groups and youth organisations
Sports clubs and community amateur sports clubs (CASCs)
Housing associations and registered social landlords
Charitable trusts and foundations
Voluntary groups and community organisations
Social enterprises with community focus

Key Requirements

Valid nonprofit registration
Charity Commission number, OSCR/CCNI registration, CIC registration, or community group constitution
Operational status
Organisation must be actively operating (not dormant or in liquidation)
Non-discrimination policy
Organisation must have a non-discrimination policy in place
Financial transparency
Annual accounts, trustees' annual report, or basic financial records available
— Step-by-Step

How to apply for
Microsoft 365 Nonprofit grants

01
01

Verify Nonprofit Status

Gather registration documents: Charity Commission number, CIC documentation, or other nonprofit registration. Coreitech can handle this verification on your behalf.

02
02

Submit Application

Apply through Microsoft's Tech for Social Impact portal (powered by TechSoup). Application typically takes 2-5 business days for approval.

03
03

Licence Assignment

Once approved, licences are available immediately. Assign licences to users via Microsoft 365 admin centre or let Coreitech manage this for you.

04
04

Ongoing Management

Coreitech manages licence allocation, user onboarding, and ensures you're maximising grant benefits. Annual re-verification required to maintain nonprofit status.

— Cost Savings

Potential savings for
UK nonprofits

Example: 20-Person Nonprofit

Commercial Business Premium (20 users)£400/month
Nonprofit pricing (20 users)£90/month
Monthly saving£310/month
Annual saving£3,720/year

Typical Nonprofit Savings

Small nonprofit (5-10 users)£1,500–£3,000/year
Medium nonprofit (10-30 users)£3,000–£9,000/year
Large nonprofit (30-100 users)£9,000–£30,000+/year
National nonprofit (100+ users)£30,000–£100,000+/year

Savings based on Business Premium nonprofit pricing vs commercial rates. Additional savings available through free Business Basic licences for eligible users.

— FAQ

Frequently asked
questions

Q.Can we mix free and paid licences?

Yes. Most nonprofits maximise value by using free Business Basic licences for frontline staff, volunteers, or basic users who only need Teams and email, while purchasing Business Premium licences for admin staff and management who need desktop Office apps, advanced security, and device management. This hybrid approach can significantly reduce overall licensing costs.

Q.What happens if our organisation grows beyond 10 users?

The 10 free Business Basic licences are a one-time allocation per eligible nonprofit. Beyond 10 users, you can purchase additional Business Basic licences at the discounted nonprofit rate, or purchase Business Premium licences for users needing advanced features. There's no limit on the number of paid nonprofit licences you can purchase.

Q.Do we need to reapply every year?

Microsoft requires annual re-verification of nonprofit status to maintain eligibility. This is typically a simple process confirming your registration remains active. Coreitech handles this re-verification automatically for all nonprofit clients, ensuring uninterrupted access to nonprofit pricing.

Q.Can we switch from commercial to nonprofit pricing later?

Yes. Organisations currently on commercial Microsoft 365 plans can switch to nonprofit pricing at any time. The process involves verifying nonprofit status, converting the tenant to nonprofit eligibility, and applying the appropriate licences. Coreitech manages this transition with zero downtime — your users keep all their data and access.

Q.What if we're not sure if we're eligible?

Coreitech offers free Microsoft 365 nonprofit eligibility checks for all UK nonprofits and charities. We review your registration status, organisational structure, and current licensing to determine eligibility and calculate potential savings. Most registered charities, CIOs, CICs, and community organisations qualify. Contact us at 0203 834 9728 for a free assessment.

— Get Started

Get Microsoft 365 for
your organisation

Coreitech helps all UK organisations with Microsoft 365 — commercial businesses at standard pricing, nonprofits at discounted grant rates. Free consultation to find your best plan and maximise savings.