TechSoup Stock Tips: #1 Registration, Qualification & Authorized Agents

As many organizations know, there are a few steps to getting set up with TechSoup Stock and keeping the account up to date. For the TechSoup Stock Tips #1, I wanted to provide some information, links and suggestions for making this process a little easier.

Registration & Qualification
How To Use TechSoup: This is a good resource for getting an overview on TechSoup and the various programs we have to help you learn how your nonprofit can get the most out of technology.

Getting Started at TechSoup Stock: A great Guide to the registration and qualification process including an overview of the TechSoup Stock Program and how it all works once an organization is registered.

Useful Documents
Registration Worksheet: This document was put together as a reference to help organizations know which types of information will be required in order to register.

Qualification Form (Checklist): A very useful document that can serve as a checklist and a cover sheet for sending in your documents. The latest version of the Qualification Form contains links to examples of all required documents and letters.

Registration Tips
When creating the account for your organization it is very important to use an email address that will be appropriate for receiving product information such as licenses and download instructions. Care should also be taken when selecting the Type and Subtype for your organization which should, if at all possible, reflect the primary mission of your organization. To help with describing your organization's mission, it may be helpful to review the types and subtypes available to choose from or visit http://nccsdataweb.urban.org/ to help with categorization.

Are you a Public Library? View our Libraries Program page!

Requalification
Certain changes made after an organization is qualified will trigger a requalification status. This is due to the fact that certain pieces of information (the organization name, shipping address, annual operating budget and organization type and subtype) must be verified and may effect eligibility for the donation programs. Generally what is required is a "clarification letter" which is on the organization's letterhead and provides an explanation of the change made to the account. For more information, see the examples linked from our Qualification Form.

Qualification and requalification documents can be faxed to (415) 633-9444 or emailed to qualification@techsoup.org and generally take a few business days to process.

Becoming an Authorized Agent
The individual that registers the organization is considered the Authorized Agent, but organizations may have more than one Authorized Agent. To ensure account security, we strongly suggest that the Executive Director or equivalent is listed as one of the Authorized Agents. The process starts by Joining TechSoup as a user (each Agent must create a user profile) then clicking on Register Organization to find the existing account with TechSoup Stock. Once found, clicking on the name of the organization will open to the "Become and Authorized Agent" page (Note that this page will also have a link to view current authorized agents - but this link is currently not working) which will require an organization ID and Password. The original or most recent authorized agent should have this information but if that person is not available or no longer with the organization, please give us a call. It is important to remember that the organization ID and password are used to add more agents to the account and cannot be used to login.

I hope this information has been helpful. We'd love to hear your questions so if you've got a question about any of the above, post it here!

Autumn

Hi Autumn,

This is in regards to the Authorized Agents page being down.  I am working with a 501(c)3 - The Missoula Urban Demonstration Project - and am trying to determine who registered the organization with Techsoup Stock.  The current  Program and Development Director wasnt aware they were registered.

Can you send me the name or contact info of the Authorized Agent for this non-profit?

Thanks, Matt

Matt,

  We are aware that this page doesn't work at the moment. I can send you some information by email so that we can get you connected to your organization.

Autumn

Autumn,

I'm having the same problems with the autorized agents page. I'm trying to find out who is registered for 94-2295953 (either listed as FamiliesFirst, Inc. or EMQ FamiliesFirst) in Davis, CA.

My email address is sreed@emqff.org.

Sue Anne

Sue Anne,

    The email is on the way :)

Autumn

Hello---

My organization is also listed with a "Requalification Pending" status, but I don't know whether or not the necessary qualification documents have already been submitted to TechSoup as there have been some staff changes on our end.

Is there a way to find out whether or not TechSoup is waiting to receive materials from us or if our materials are simply still being processed? And, if materials are needed from us, is there a way to determine what it is, specifically, that you need in order for us to be requalified? Or is it best to just complete the entire Qualification sheet and submit all supporting documents requested on that?

Thanks much!

---Susan, River of Words (94-3378001)

Susan,

  Sorry for the delay! I was able to requalify your organization based on the information provided on your organization's website. But for future reference, here is what we will need for changes made on the account in order to requalify:

• Address changes - A letter, on your organization's letterhead listing your new street address and the address listed on your 501(c)(3) determination letter, a brief explanation of why these are different and your signature and contact information
• Name changes - A letter, on your organization's letterhead listing your organization's new name and the name listed on your 501(c)(3) determination letter, a brief explanation of why these are different and your signature and contact information
• Budget decrease - A letter, on your organization's letterhead listing your new annual operating budget and the previous annual operating budget on your TechSoup account, a brief explanation of why these are different and your signature and contact information
• Organization Type and Subtype change - A letter, on your organization's letterhead listing your new organization type and subtype and an explanation of why these better describe your organization's primary mission and activities along with your signature and contact information

I hope this information is helpful!

Autumn