License & Subscription Issues

Is the Microsoft Office 365 E2 Nonprofit License Being Discontinued?

Nimra Malik Oct 12, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to know if the Office 365 E2 grant offer for nonprofits is discontinued and what actions are required to maintain organizational licensing.

Is the Microsoft Office 365 E2 Nonprofit License Being Discontinued?

Product: Microsoft Office 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reviewing organizational software licensing and managing upcoming changes to nonprofit grant plans.
Observed behavior: The organization must transition from the discontinued Office 365 E2 grant to a new, currently supported Microsoft nonprofit offer.

Before you start

Gather your organization's current Microsoft 365 subscription details and verify your nonprofit eligibility status before exploring alternative licensing plans.

Solution 1Recommended

Review Replacement Options for the Discontinued Office 365 E2 License

Since the Office 365 E2 grant is discontinued, organizations must evaluate current Microsoft nonprofit offers and transition to a supported plan.

Microsoft periodically updates its licensing structure, and the legacy Office 365 E2 grant offer for nonprofit organizations has been discontinued. Organizations currently using E2 licenses need to review current nonprofit options, such as Microsoft 365 Business Basic or Business Premium, to ensure continuity of their services.

Transitioning to a new plan requires verifying your organization's eligibility and selecting a plan that fits your current operational needs and user count.

Check current active licenses

Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center using your administrator credentials. Navigate to the 'Billing' section and click on 'Your products' to verify your active E2 licenses and their expiration dates.

Review current nonprofit grants

Visit the official Microsoft Nonprofits website to explore the latest available grants. Typically, Microsoft 365 Business Basic serves as the direct replacement grant for eligible organizations under 300 users.

Contact an authorized licensing partner

Reach out to Microsoft support or your authorized nonprofit licensing partner (such as TechSoup) to confirm your eligibility, understand transition timelines, and execute the replacement plan smoothly.

Review Replacement Options for the Discontinued Office 365 E2 License

Data Retention During Transition: When upgrading or transitioning between Microsoft 365 plans within the same tenant, your organization's emails, files, and SharePoint data will remain intact.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Transition to WPS Office for a Cost-Effective Nonprofit Solution

If your organization is impacted by the Office 365 E2 discontinuation and you are looking for a budget-friendly option, WPS Office provides a lightweight, free alternative with a highly familiar interface and seamless migration.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install and configure: Run the installer, follow the on-screen prompts, and set WPS Office as your default application for document viewing and editing.
3. Open existing files seamlessly: Double-click your existing Microsoft Office files. WPS Office will open them instantly without losing any formatting or layout.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Cost-effective solution ideal for nonprofits and budget-conscious organizationsLightweight application that runs smoothly on older hardwareFamiliar user interface minimizes training time for staff and volunteers

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What plan replaced the Office 365 E2 nonprofit grant?

Microsoft typically recommends transitioning to Microsoft 365 Business Basic, which is often available as a free grant for up to 300 users for eligible nonprofits. For organizations needing advanced security and device management, Microsoft 365 Business Premium is offered at a deeply discounted nonprofit rate.

Will I lose my organization's data when transitioning from Office 365 E2?

No. If you transition to another Microsoft 365 plan within your existing administrative portal, your data, user accounts, emails, and files stored in SharePoint and OneDrive will remain intact.

Are nonprofits still eligible for free versions of Microsoft 365?

Yes. While the E2 grant is discontinued, Microsoft still offers free granted licenses for eligible nonprofits, such as the Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan. However, organizations must undergo a standard verification process to qualify.

How do I verify my nonprofit status for new Microsoft licenses?

You can verify your status by registering on the Microsoft Nonprofits portal. You will need to provide required documentation, such as your 501(c)(3) determination letter or a local equivalent, which is then verified by Microsoft's partner, TechSoup.

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