License & Subscription Issues

Is Microsoft Defender Included in Microsoft 365 Nonprofit Licenses?

John Wilson Oct 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if Microsoft Defender is included in their approved Microsoft 365 nonprofit license and how to activate it.

Is Microsoft Defender Included in Microsoft 365 Nonprofit Licenses?

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Verifying license inclusions and activating security features for a nonprofit organization.
Observed behavior: The user has approved Microsoft 365 nonprofit licenses but is unsure of the Microsoft Defender status and activation process.

Before you start

Ensure you have Global Administrator or Security Administrator privileges in the Microsoft 365 admin center before attempting to check licenses or configure Microsoft Defender.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Your Microsoft 365 Nonprofit Subscription and Activate Defender

Most free nonprofit grants like Business Basic do not include Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, but higher-tier plans like E5 do. Here is how to check your plan and activate the security features.

Microsoft Defender capabilities depend entirely on the specific nonprofit subscription and security licenses assigned to your organization. The free Microsoft 365 Business Basic grant does not include advanced Defender endpoint protection.

Check your current subscription

Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center. Navigate to 'Billing' and select 'Your products' to see which licenses your nonprofit organization currently holds.

Verify license eligibility

Confirm whether you have an eligible plan that includes Defender, such as Microsoft 365 E5, Office 365 E5, A5, or a dedicated Microsoft security subscription.

Access the Microsoft Defender portal

If you have an eligible license assigned, navigate to the Microsoft 365 Defender portal (security.microsoft.com) using an administrator account.

Initialize Defender setup

Microsoft 365 Defender is typically enabled automatically when an eligible customer with the required permissions visits the portal for the first time. Follow the on-screen prompts to finalize the configuration.

Verify Your Microsoft 365 Nonprofit Subscription and Activate Defender

Business Basic Limitation: If your subscription list only shows Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is not included. You can review available upgrade offers and nonprofit pricing at nonprofit.microsoft.com.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Cost-Effective Office Suite for Your Nonprofit?

While Microsoft 365 offers extensive enterprise security features, managing licenses and subscription tiers can be complex and expensive for nonprofits. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and fully compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, helping your team create and share documents without high overhead costs.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the quick installation process to set up the suite on your device.
3. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open, edit, and save your existing Microsoft Office documents seamlessly.

100% compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsFree and lightweight suite ideal for limited nonprofit budgetsFamiliar user interface requires no retraining for your staffIncludes advanced PDF editing, cloud collaboration, and templates

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What Microsoft 365 nonprofit plans include Microsoft Defender?

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is generally included with eligible premium plans such as Microsoft 365 E5, Office 365 E5, A5, or dedicated Microsoft security subscription plans.

Does Microsoft 365 Business Basic include Microsoft Defender?

No, the standard free Microsoft 365 Business Basic grant provided to approved nonprofits does not include Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.

Where can I check nonprofit pricing for Microsoft Defender?

You can review nonprofit eligibility requirements and browse available discounted security offers directly at nonprofit.microsoft.com.

How do I access the Microsoft Defender portal?

Administrators can access the portal by navigating to security.microsoft.com and logging in with an account that has Global Administrator or Security Administrator privileges.

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