Unfair application of Adobe "drugs/narcotics" exclusion

techsoup was not able to fill an order I placed for Adobe softwear because of a "drugs/narcotics" exclusion, according to their Help Desk today.   

I represent the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey, Inc., a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, incorporated in the State of New Jersey, whose mission is education about the benefits of medical marijuana.  We do not advocate the use of illegal drugs or narcotics, but we do believe that legitimate patients should have safe and legal access to marijuana when a physician recommends it.
 

Have other organizations run into this type of discrimination, and is there any appeal of his decision?

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Executive Director
Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey, Inc.
844 Spruce St.
Trenton, NJ 08648
609.394.2137
www.cmmnj.org
ohamkrw@aol.com

The term "discrimination" does not apply here. The software manufacturers are free to choose which efforts they decide to offer their assistance to. That is certainly their right.

Ken,

  tclaremont is correct. TechSoup is here to help facilitate and distribute software and hardware donation programs that are specifically designed by the software manufacturers. In the case of Adobe, the have 3 specific areas of focus in this programs: the arts, the environment and direct, essential services such as food and shelter. Adobe, of course, is a very popular program. It is also one of the smallest programs currently available through TechSoup and, at this time, only a small percentage of qualified organizations are eligible.

  There are many resources on our website which could be beneficial to all nonprofits. Below are some TechSoup links which should be helpful in finding the products that you are currently looking for or some possible alternatives.

Quick Guide to Discounted Software Programs: http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/software/page5055.cfm

Open Source Software Forum: http://forums.techsoup.org/cs/forums/27.aspx

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Autumn

1. It was not clear in the brochure that was mailed to me that I had a high probability of not qualifying for the software offer.

2. Since when is healthcare not considered a "direct, essential service"?

3. I remember hitchhiking through the Deep South in the mid-60's and seeing those signs, "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone." They didn't think there was anything wrong with that, either.

Ken

Hi Ken,

We get this question a lot so here is a response I posted to a similar question from someone who was looking for Adobe products but wasn't eligible. Loads of c3 nonprofits don't make the cut and since Adobe is donating it, they get to decide who to give their products to and TechSoup must oblige. You may be able to find other products or an Adobe reseller who can provide you with the products you're looking for. There's a link in my response below for other sources of Adobe products:

"The donated and discounted products available to be requested through TechSoup Stock, are only available to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or public libraries. You can see the full eligibility details here: http://www.techsoup.org/stock/faq.asp#q2_1

Beyond those guidelines, our donor partners (ie, Adobe in this case), can also set specific restrictions and requirements for eligibility based on the type of organization or the services provided.

We do, however, have a variety of resources available to folks who aren't eligible to receive product donations through TechSoup. Our forums, blog, and articles are available for anyone to use. Check out this article, which largely applies to nonprofits as well, but also provides reseller information for Adobe programs.

There are also free alternatives to Photoshop Elements, like GIMP. Check out this recent article that reviews different free and low-cost options as well as some of the pricier options for photo editing: A Few Good Photo Manipulation Tools

Some of the options discussed there might be just the tool you need. There are also a handful of forum discussions covering photo editing/manipulation, so check them out for more opinions of different products out there."

Best of luck!