WebJunction - Discounts & Donations

Public libraries may order software through TechSoup.org, "the technology place for non-profits". Read about this program at http://www.techsoup.org/stock/libraries/. To order the products offered through TechSoup, a library must first JOIN and then REGISTER. This two-step process is necessary to place an order and receive the discounts. TechSoup will walk you through the process of registering your library at http://www.techsoup.org/stock/gettingstarted.asp.

When you register, you'll need to know whether your public library has 501(c)(3) status as determined by the Internal Revenue Service. You will be asked to choose from the following list and then enter either the Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the 501(c)(3) documentation or the library's FSCS ID.

U.S. Organizations

**501(c)(3) Nonprofits & 501(c)(3) Public Libraries: An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a tax identification number that is issued to a U.S. nonprofit by the IRS at the time it is granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. This number is recorded on your nonprofit determination letter from the IRS.

**Non-501(c)(3) Public Libraries: Note: U. S. Public Libraries that have been granted 501(c)(3) status should use their Employer Identification Number (EIN) instead of their FSCS ID. See above for more information.

**U. S. Public Libraries may locate their unique FSCS ID by conducting a search in the NCES database http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/librarysearch/. First, search for your library, then select Central Library. Once you locate your library, you will find your FSCS ID listed at the top right of the screen.

After your library is registered as having 501(c)(3) status, you must fax verification to TechSoup:

"501(c)(3) Verification
If you are ordering for your organization for the first time, you will need to fax us a copy of the first page of your determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service. This document shows your organization is classified under the tax code paragraph 501(c)(3) and is therefore exempt from federal taxes. For faster processing, please include your TechSoup Stock order confirmation number on the fax.
Our fax number is 415-633-9444."

TechSoup partners with many companies to offer discounts on software and equipment. Microsoft is the only company parterning with TechSoup to offer discounts on software to public libraries without requiring a library to have the non-profit status of 501(c)(3). To order Microsoft products you need only register with TechSoup using your libraries FSCS ID as described above.

Symantec requires a library to have a non-profit status of 501(c)(3).

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