This offer gives nonprofit organizations and public libraries access to discounted pricing and donated equipment for BetterWorld telecommunications services. BetterWorld's hosted Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services allow an organization to replace a traditional phone system — typically a premises-based private branch exchange (PBX) — with a software-based virtual PBX that is hosted by BetterWorld and does not require on-site PBX hardware other than telephones and standard networking equipment. Incoming and outgoing calls are transmitted through VoIP technology over a high-speed Internet connection, which can be provided by BetterWorld or any high-speed Internet or data services provider.

BetterWorld's offer through TechSoup provides:

• A hosted VoIP and virtual PBX phone service with more than 60 calling features and 1,000 minutes of domestic U.S. outbound calling per seat at the specially discounted rate of $31.95 per seat per month (five-seat minimum, no maximum). See a full list of TechSoup-exclusive discounted rates for BetterWorld services, including optional added-cost features like call recording and toll-free phone numbers. Goodwill member organizations and other local chapters of national organizations that have negotiated discounted rates with BetterWorld should enquire about these services with their organizations before requesting this offer.
• Donated equipment and installation, which includes one Cisco SPA 303 3-Line IP Phone per seat. Organizations should have a router or comparable networking equipment to support the number of desired phones. If BetterWorld determines that an organization does not have adequate network equipment, the organization can negotiate discounted rates for acquiring the required equipment through BetterWorld on an individual-case basis.
• Discounted rates for a high-speed Internet connection, including DSL, cable, T1, or T3, if needed. Organizations that have existing Internet services with adequate network bandwidth can use those services to host BetterWorld's voice services. If BetterWorld determines that an organization does not have adequate network bandwidth, the organization can negotiate discounted rates for BetterWorld's high-speed data services on an individual-case basis.

Unified Communications Capabilities

BetterWorld's services allow organizations to employ what is referred to as unified communications (UC) — an integrated system of multiple communication services like telephony, call control, voicemail, email, fax, and presence information (a user's availability status) that can be accessed from any location with a phone, mobile phone, or any Internet-connected device.

For example, voicemails and faxes can be received as email messages, and users can place calls or access other in-office voice services remotely through any phone or through a web interface. Included call routing features can direct inbound calls through a user-defined list of numbers, either sequentially or simultaneously, ensuring that important calls are not missed when users are not at their phones. See a full list of features included in this offer.

TechSoup considers this BetterWorld offering a GreenTech product because it allows employees to work remotely just as efficiently as they do in the office, therefore reducing travel, office space, and hardware requirements and minimizing an organization's environmental footprint.

Requesting BetterWorld Services

This TechSoup offer facilitates organizations' access to discounted rates and donated equipment, but organizations pay BetterWorld directly for the discounted services. BetterWorld will contact each organization that participates in this offer to conduct a needs assessment to determine the specific package of services and equipment an organization will receive. See a sample of questions that organizations will need to answer during BetterWorld's needs assessment.

For full eligibility details, see the Rules, Eligibility and Restrictions section below.

Additional TechSoup Administrative Fees

The administrative fee for requesting BetterWorld's services through TechSoup is $10, but the total administrative fee for this donation will vary based on the number of donated phones required by an organization. For each donated phone, TechSoup will require an additional administrative fee of $5, which will be collected by BetterWorld on the first monthly bill.

Two-Year Contract

Organizations must sign a minimum two-year contract with BetterWorld to receive discounted rates and donated equipment though this offer. See a sample contract with monthly pricing for 10 seats. The contract includes the additional TechSoup administrative fee of $5 per phone to be collected by BetterWorld on the first monthly bill. Organizations that want to add seats at a later time may do so by contacting BetterWorld.

In addition to the discounted $31.95 per seat rate, organizations must pay $8.91 monthly (not per seat) for account fees and an enhanced 911 emergency services surcharge, as well as any federal and state taxes. Charges for any optional features an organization has selected will also apply. International calls will incur charges according to this rate chart.

BetterWorld will require each organization to provide a credit card that will be billed a month in advance each month for its selected services.

Automatic Renewal

The contract is automatically renewed for one year at the end of the initial period unless the organization provides 30 days' written notice as specified in the service contract. Rates and terms will be identical to those in the initial contract. Organizations that cancel their contracts will not be eligible for the discounted rates specified in this offer should they choose to obtain services from BetterWorld at a later time.

Additional Discounts for Certain California Organizations

If you are a public library, school, or community-based organization located in California, you may qualify for an additional 50% discount on BetterWorld telecommunications services through the California Teleconnect Fund Program. See this website for more information.

Choose Carefully

The administrative fee for this product is not refundable, and the product cannot be exchanged.

Obtaining This Product

Expect two emails. When your donation request has been approved, TechSoup will send a message to your organization email address with preliminary information about obtaining this product. Shortly after, the donor partner will send an email with information needed to complete the installation or activation.

• Organizations must have a high-speed Internet connection (T1, T3, high-speed DSL/cable) with adequate bandwidth for the BetterWorld voice service; a dedicated line for voice services is recommended for adequate call quality.
• Organizations must have sufficient networking hardware, such as a router or comparable equipment, to manage their telephony equipment.

• Products will be distributed under this program to qualifying organizations only, not to individuals.
• Organizations may receive one BetterWorld audio conferencing services product within a fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Organizations may receive only one BetterWorld VoIP telecommunications services product ever.
• If an organization that receives BetterWorld audio conferencing services does not use the service for 12 consecutive months, its account will be discontinued. Organizations must request the BetterWorld audio conferencing services product from TechSoup and pay the administrative fee again to reactivate a discontinued account.
• For organizations requesting BetterWorld VoIP Telecommunications Services:
• Organizations must agree to a minimum two-year service contract with BetterWorld Telecom for at least five seats.
• Organizations must not have contracts with other telecommunications services providers that would prevent them from exiting their current services.
• Organizations must provide BetterWorld Telecom with the most recent copies of their bills for all voice and data services so that BetterWorld Telecom may properly assess an organization's needs.
• Organizations must have adequate networking equipment and network bandwidth to support their telecommunications needs, or they must purchase additional equipment and bandwidth through BetterWorld Telecom. BetterWorld Telecom will determine if an organization has adequate equipment and bandwidth during its needs assessment.
• Organizations must have adequate wiring in their facilities and either install separate wiring for the BetterWorld Telecom phone system or set up a virtual LAN for phone system traffic. 
• Organizations must be able to troubleshoot their own IT issues, such as those related to internal wiring and networking, and not directly related to the BetterWorld Telecom phone service.
• This donation is available to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) designation and to public libraries. Public libraries must either have valid 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or be listed in the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) database.
• This donation is not available to organizations in U.S. territories.
• Recipient organizations must be willing and able to provide information to BetterWorld Telecom for the purposes of creating a case study or testimonial on this program.
• Organizations that advocate, support, or practice discrimination based on age, ethnicity, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background are not eligible to participate in this program. Organizations must be willing and able to attest that they do not discriminate on any of these grounds in order to receive donations.
• BetterWorld Telecom products may not be transferred or resold.