How to Maximise Your Microsoft 365 Donation

Could your charity be doing more with Microsoft 365 without spending a penny? 

If you’re a registered UK non-profit, Microsoft offers an incredibly generous donation programme. Through it, eligible charities can access a wide range of powerful cloud-based tools—completely free or heavily discounted. Yet thousands of organisations either don’t realise they’re eligible or aren’t using the tools to their full potential. 


At Cranborne Technologies, we help non-profits get the most out of Microsoft 365. Whether you're just applying or already using it but not sure how well, we’ll help you make sure it’s working for you—securely, efficiently, and affordably. 


What You Could Be Getting (at No Cost) 

Microsoft provides a selection of its most powerful tools for free to eligible charities. These aren’t watered-down versions they’re the same tools used by major businesses and institutions, tailored for smaller teams and limited budgets. 


Here’s what’s available: 

  • Microsoft 365 Business Premium licences
    Up to 10 licences donated (and more available at a discount), giving you access to Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and more—plus advanced security and device management tools. 
  • Microsoft Teams
    Collaborate through secure video calls, instant chat, file sharing, and task tracking. 
  • SharePoint and OneDrive
    Store and manage documents securely in the cloud, with automatic version control and access anywhere. 
  • Exchange Online
    Professional email hosting with spam and phishing protection built in. 
  • Microsoft Defender for Business
    Endpoint security that helps protect against ransomware, malware, and other threats. 


These tools offer much more than basic productivity—they create a robust, secure digital workspace that supports GDPR compliance, flexible working, and operational efficiency. 


Why Many Charities Don’t Make the Most of It 

The number one reason we see charities missing out? Awareness. 

Many small and mid-sized organisations simply don’t know this programme exists—or assume it’s too complex to apply for. Others may already be using Microsoft 365, but: 

  • Haven’t configured it properly for security or collaboration 
  • Are still relying on local file storage or USB sticks 
  • Don’t have formal permission settings in place 
  • Have users working from personal email accounts 
  • Lack the time or expertise to integrate it into their day-to-day operations 

The result? Tools are underused, data may be exposed, and staff are frustrated—when it could be so much simpler. 


Where Cranborne Comes In 

We work closely with UK charities to unlock the full value of their Microsoft 365 donation—whether you're starting from scratch or already partway there. 

Here’s how we help: 


1. Eligibility & Licensing Support 

We help you check eligibility and walk you through the application process via Microsoft’s non-profit portal. No jargon. No tech headaches. 


2. Setup & Secure Migration 

Still using a personal Gmail account? No problem. We migrate your data—emails, calendars, files—to Microsoft 365 without risk or disruption. 


3. Security & Configuration 

We make sure your Microsoft 365 environment is properly secured, including: 

  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) 
  • Role-based access controls 
  • Backup and recovery options 
  • Email threat protection 


This isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting your donors, service users, and staff from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. 


4. Training & Ongoing Support 

We don’t set it up and leave you guessing. We provide friendly, practical training for your team and offer ongoing support so you always have someone to call when you need help. 


Why It Matters 

You didn’t start your charity to worry about servers, licensing, or ransomware. But the truth is, the right technology can remove barriers and unlock time for what matters most—your mission. 

With Microsoft 365 properly deployed: 

  • Staff work faster and smarter – Documents, rotas, and comms in one place. 
  • Remote access is seamless – Volunteers and staff stay connected from anywhere. 
  • Data is safer – With encryption, permissions, and cloud backups. 
  • Compliance is easier – Microsoft’s systems support your GDPR responsibilities. 

All of that without increasing your IT budget. 


Real Results from Real Charities 

We recently helped a housing charity migrate to Microsoft 365. They went from emailing spreadsheets and storing files on individual laptops to a fully secure, cloud-based setup. Staff now collaborate in Teams, access files via SharePoint, and have confidence their data is protected. 


The best part? Their core tools are free. And they now spend less time managing tech—and more time supporting people. 


Let’s Make It Work for You 

If you’re a charity already using Microsoft 365—or thinking about it—don’t go it alone. We’ll help you: 

  • Confirm eligibility 
  • Migrate your systems 
  • Secure your environment 
  • Train your team 
  • And make the most of every feature you’ve been given 


All in a way that suits your budget and capacity.

Contact us

What an AI Agent Can Do for a UK Small Business

December 2, 2025
AI tools are everywhere at the moment, but for most small businesses the real question is simple: can this actually help us day to day? The answer, increasingly, is yes. AI agents are becoming a practical, affordable way for UK SMBs to lighten workloads, improve responsiveness and strengthen their cyber security without adding to headcount. Here’s what they can realistically take off your plate. Take the admin you never get time for Most small teams lose hours each week to tasks like updating spreadsheets, booking meetings, chasing invoices or sorting inbox clutter. An AI agent can handle these automatically in the background — consistently, accurately and without needing to be chased. It’s not about replacing people; it’s about giving them space to focus on the work that actually moves the business forward. Improve customer response times Customers expect fast answers, even when your team is busy or out on site. AI agents can deal with routine enquiries, provide updates, and pass more complex queries straight to the right person. You stay responsive, your team stays sane, and nothing gets forgotten in the rush. Add another layer of cyber protection Cyber threats are rising across the UK, and many of the attacks we’re seeing at Cranborne start with human error — a missed warning sign, a convincing phishing email, or an unusual login that doesn’t get spotted in time. An AI agent can monitor activity in the background and raise a flag the moment something looks suspicious. It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s an extra pair of eyes when you need it most. Support sales and marketing without extra staff From following up with leads to drafting emails and analysing which campaigns actually worked, AI agents help small businesses stay consistent. They don’t replace your voice or your expertise — they simply keep the wheels turning so opportunities don’t slip through the cracks. Help you make better decisions, faster Instead of digging through systems for data, an AI agent can pull together quick reports, highlight trends and spot issues early. That means business owners get clearer visibility without spending evenings trawling through spreadsheets. The takeaway AI agents aren’t a gimmick. Used well, they become part of the team — handling the repetitive, the routine and the time-consuming. For UK SMBs under pressure to do more with less, they offer a straightforward way to improve efficiency, strengthen security and give your people their time back.

The 2026 IT Priorities UK SMBs Can’t Ignore

December 2, 2025
2026 will be a defining year for UK small and medium businesses. Technology is no longer just a background function – it shapes resilience, productivity, and competitiveness. At Cranborne Tech, we see this first-hand across care providers, financial services, retail, and non-profits. The organisations moving forward are the ones treating IT as a strategic enabler, not a cost centre. 1. Cybersecurity First: A Zero-Trust Reality Cyber threats continue to rise, and insurers now require demonstrable controls. SMBs must embed Zero Trust principles: MFA everywhere, continuous monitoring, dark web monitoring and phishing simulations as part of regular staff training. Security is now the foundation of every digital decision. 2. AI-Driven Productivity AI is now built into everyday tools like Microsoft 365. SMBs can save hours each week through automated reporting, meeting summaries, documentation support, and enhanced customer service workflows. Responsible governance and staff training must sit alongside adoption. 3. Cloud Cost Control Licensing and cloud waste became a major issue in 2024–2025. In 2026, SMBs should focus on rationalising tools, removing unused subscriptions, and right-sizing backup and cloud storage plans. A cleaner, more efficient cloud estate lowers costs and reduces complexity. 4. Modernising Infrastructure Cloud environments are now the default, although hybrid is still operational where needed. SMBs need reliable networks, standardised devices, secure remote access, and infrastructure capable of supporting AI-driven workloads. Modernisation boosts stability and improves user experience. 5. Business Continuity That Works Backups alone aren’t enough. SMBs need recoverability: encrypted cloud backups, offline copies, documented disaster recovery plans, and regular testing. Insurers and partners increasingly expect evidence, not assumptions. 6. Compliance and Governance Maturity Clear policies, documented patching, supplier assurance, and ongoing training form the baseline for regulated sectors. Mature governance builds trust and removes friction during audits or contract renewals. 7. Employee Experience Through IT Smooth onboarding, consistent devices, self-service capability, and proactive support make a measurable difference to productivity. In 2026, IT is a core part of employee experience. 8. Automating Everyday Workflows SMBs can now automate HR approvals, finance tasks, customer service routing, and reporting without enterprise budgets. Small steps create meaningful efficiency gains. Book a free IT audit The businesses that will thrive in 2026 are those treating IT as a growth partner. Cranborne Tech is here to help UK SMBs build resilient, secure, and future-ready digital foundations. If you want to understand how your IT supports your business goals and identify any gaps before they become risks, book a free IT audit . We’ll review your current setup and guide you on the next steps.