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Nonprofit Programs & Affiliations

The Spokane Mountaineers is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As such, we are eligible for various nonprofit programs and grants that provide us with essential tools and infrastructure at reduced or no cost.

This page tracks our current affiliations, the benefits we receive, and the status of pending applications.

Summary of Active Programs

Organization Program Status Primary Benefit
Google Google for Nonprofits Active Google Workspace (Free)
Microsoft Microsoft for Nonprofits Active $2,000 Annual Azure Grant
Slack Slack for Nonprofits Pending Free Pro Plan (Expected)
TechSoup Validation Services Active Eligibility Verification

Active Programs

Google for Nonprofits

Google provides us with a full suite of productivity tools that power our official communications and document storage.

  • Benefits:
    • Google Workspace: Custom email addresses (@spokanemountaineers.org) for board members and committees.
    • Shared Drives: Centralized storage for club records and assets.
  • Administration: Managed via the Google Admin Console.
  • Key Contact: Web Development Team (webdev@spokanemountaineers.org).

Microsoft for Nonprofits

Microsoft offers a variety of grants and discounted software to help nonprofits scale their impact.

  • Benefits:
    • Azure Grant: We receive a $2,000 annual credit for Azure services. This is currently used to host our website and related infrastructure.
    • Microsoft 365: Eligibility for donated or heavily discounted M365 Business Premium licenses.
  • Administration: Managed via the Microsoft Nonprofit Portal.
  • Usage: Credits are applied to our Azure Subscription. Monitoring is required to ensure we stay within the grant limit.

Pending & Target Programs

Slack for Nonprofits

We are currently in the process of registering for Slack's nonprofit program to improve internal club communication.

  • Target Benefits:
    • Free upgrade to the Pro Plan for workspaces with fewer than 250 members.
    • Unlimited message history and integrations.
  • Status: Application in progress. Requires TechSoup validation.

Administrative Reference

TechSoup

TechSoup is the primary validation service used by almost all major technology providers (Google, Microsoft, Slack, etc.) to verify nonprofit status.

  • Validation Token: Often required when applying for new programs.
  • Account Access: Access is limited to the Treasurer and the Web Development lead.

Required Documentation

When applying for new programs, the following documents are typically required:

  1. IRS Determination Letter: Confirming our 501(c)(3) status.
  2. Form 990: Our most recent tax filing.
  3. Bylaws: Occasionally requested to verify organizational structure.