• Discounts on computer training for Arts Council members!
• Microsoft software donation program
• Low cost web services and computers for non-profits
• Free or low cost computers for the arts
• Low cost web sites for artists
• Inexpensive software and computer services for non-profits
• NPO Host, Inc. offers non-profits free web services

Discounts on Computer Training for Arts Council Members

The Arts Council in Buffalo & Erie County recognizes the need for artists and arts organization’s employees to have access to low cost computer training.  By collaborating with New Horizons Computer Learning Center we have a new opportunity to offer Arts Council member artists and arts organizations substantial discounts on computer training classes.   

Here’s how it works:

The Arts Council in Buffalo and Erie County acts as a cooperative buyer of discount vouchers from New Horizons Computer Learning Center.  The regular price of computer instruction at New Horizons costs between $225 and $250 for a full-day training session.  New Horizons offers volume discounts to companies for their employees and is willing to recognize the Arts Council’s membership as a single company thereby allowing us to extend these volume discounts to our members.

You may purchase computer training vouchers from the Arts Council for only $75.00.  Each voucher is good for one class from New Horizon’s extensive list of computer training classes and is valid for one year from date of purchase.  Phone New Horizons at (716) 681-8500.

Each course includes 60 days of help desk support, plus students also have six months after every course to retake the class.  New Horizons offers day, evening and weekend classes and is located at 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, between the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Transit Road. 

Please call the Arts Council at (716) 856-7520 if you are interested or need more information.  This offer will benefit the membership in the Arts Council in Buffalo and Erie County.  Click here for information on membership and the Arts Council’s other services.

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Microsoft Software Donations

As current recipients of TechSoup's product donation & distribution service, we wanted to give you preview information on the enhanced Microsoft Software Donation Program. Exclusively available at TechSoup's DiscounTech, this enhanced program will launch on Saturday, March 1st. Many changes to the current program will occur on that date, so please remember to come back to TechSoup for complete program details, including program & product FAQs. In the meantime, we wanted you to get a first look at some of the changes we're making so more nonprofits receive more products:

The new program provides your nonprofit with the following additional benefits:

• More product variety - more than 35 software titles, including new server titles
• Increased number of software titles available per organization - up to 6 titles per organization and up to 50 licenses per title
• Enhanced services with the addition of Software Assurance - Microsoft's program that ensures access to the latest product upgrades
• Greater savings through substantially reduced DiscounTech administrative fees - thanks to generous donations by Microsoft
• Expanded technology support resources on TechSoup like community boards, tech planning articles and worksheets
• Quick and easy online ordering and fulfillment

The following guidelines have changed for requesting any Microsoft products:

• Donations will be fulfilled using Microsoft's eOpen Licensing. This means that products and paper licenses will no longer be shipped to nonprofits through this program. Instead, an email will arrive with an authorization number for approved requests and directions to go to a Microsoft Web page to download licensing agreements. Software discs will still be sent via mail and will be sent directly by Microsoft.
• In general, 1 each of up to 6 titles will be available to each qualified nonprofit and up to 50 licenses per title will be available to each qualified nonprofit. For server titles, 1 server license and up to 50 Client Access Licenses (CALs) will be available. Server and CALs will count as 2 separate titles towards the 6 title limit.
• Each nonprofit will be eligible to make one donation request through TechSoup for Microsoft products and licenses every 2 years. Qualified nonprofits will want to plan their Microsoft product needs in advance for a 2-year period.
• Your request must include a minimum of 5 "seats" - titles, additional licenses and software assurance all count individually towards the 5 "seats".
• The donation granted through TechSoup will set up an account for the nonprofit with Microsoft's Charity Reseller Channel that will enable you to fill additional needs for Microsoft products or licenses for your nonprofit during the 2-year period without being subject to normal charity order minimums.
• Organizations from Washington state are now eligible to receive products through DiscounTech. Other Important Information on the New Program

Although the Microsoft Software Donation Program is an enhancement of the existing Microsoft donation program through TechSoup, when you place your first request for products and licenses through the new program, prior donations you may have received through TechSoup's DiscounTech will not count towards the new limits. This means that day 1 of the new program you are eligible for up to 6 titles and up to 50 licenses (other than server products). But please note, that you should plan your request carefully since you will not be eligible for another Microsoft donation through TechSoup for 2 years.
To ensure that you make most of your one-time, 2-year request, DiscounTech staff and resources are on hand to provide technology advice and planning resources through TechSoup -- on the web, through email and by telephone.

If you have any questions about the new program please contact: discountech_microsoft@techsoup.org

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Low Cost Web Services and Computers for Not-for-Profits

The Charity Advantage Web Site Program provides full-scale professional web site services to its non-profit members. Charities, schools, associations, and faith-based organizations may participate.

The Charity Advantage Computer Program donates computers and provides a Computer Purchase Assistance Program to non-profit organizations. There is no membership fee to participate in the Computer Program.

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Free or Low Cost Computers for the Arts

The TechAdvantage Program donates computer systems to non-profit organizations. In addition, we help non-profits find low cost refurbished computers to meet their technology objectives.

To enroll, please use the link below and fill out the proposal form. Once received, it will be added to our list of proposals. Every time we donate a system, we will contact the organization that will be receiving the computer, post the information at our web site, and tell you how they plan to use their computer. If you do not receive a donation, we will keep your proposal and add it to the next batch for consideration.

The TechAdvantage Program is a philanthropic project of Net Cruiser Technologies, who also sponsor the CharityAdvantage Program. Net Cruiser Technologies has worked with hundreds of non-profits on the Internet since 1997.

http://www.charityadvantage.com/proposalform.asp

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Inexpensive Web Sites for Artists

Planet Web offers inexpensive web sites for artists. Visit www.planetweb.com for more information.

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Inexpensive Software and Computer Services for Not-for-Profits

Techsoup.org compiles lists of organizations that offer low cost computer services for not-for-profit organizations. You can purchase software that is marked down up to 90% off the retail price. They also offer training, web development, hardware and consulting resources.

www.techsoup.org

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NPO Host, Inc.