TechSoup partners with companies like Twilio to connect social impact organizations worldwide with technology to advance their missions. With TechSoup, your organization can get approval into Twilio.org's Impact Access Program in minutes. This guide explains how to get your company verified.
Table of Contents
• Overview
• Step 1: Add a TechSoup organization
• Step 2: Access your validation token
• Step 3: Provide validation token during Impact Access signup
- Does my organization qualify for TechSoup verification?
- What is the advantage of getting verified by TechSoup?
- How do I add a new TechSoup organization?
- How do I join an existing TechSoup organization?
- What can I do if I get an error saying my organization has already been approved for Impact Access?
- What can I do if I get an error saying my TechSoup organization has been used by the maximum number of Twilio accounts?
- What can I do if I get an error saying my validation token is expired?
- What can I do if I get an error saying my TechSoup organization is marked as “Not Valid”?
- What is the difference between a validation token and an association code?
- Will a validation token created for a different user work if I try to use it?
- Who should I contact for support?
Overview
TechSoup verification for the Impact Access Program is required for public benefit nonprofits — 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S. and local equivalents that meet TechSoup’s local NGO definitions. Other nonprofit entity types need to upload relevant documentation. For full details, see the Impact Access Program Eligibility Guidelines.
If you’re already a member of a verified TechSoup organization, get your validation token by visiting the TechSoup Validation Portal for Twilio.org. Otherwise, follow these 3 steps to get your organization verified with TechSoup:
1. Add (or join) a TechSoup organization
2. Access your validation token
3. Provide validation token during Impact Access signup
Step 1: Add (or join) a TechSoup Organization
Registering your organization with TechSoup allows you to get verified as an active public benefit nonprofit. This process can vary based on the country your organization is incorporated:
For US Organizations
Have your organization’s EIN ready (you can search for it in this directory) and create a TechSoup account.
1. Visit your TechSoup account details page.
- If your account is already associated with your nonprofit on TechSoup, your organization should appear under ‘My Organizations.’ Skip to: accessing your validation token.
If you don’t see any organizations under ‘My Organizations’, click the ‘Add an Organization’ button.
2. Search for your organization using your EIN
3. Depending on the search results, you’ll either need to add a new TechSoup organization or join an existing organization.
For Non-US Organizations
The TechSoup Global Network validates NGOs in 236 countries and jurisdictions, reviewing whether an organization meets the local validation criteria defined by TechSoup. For non-US organizations, a TechSoup local validation provider will be used to verify your status as a public benefit nonprofit based on your country of incorporation.
1. Visit the TechSoup Validation Portal for Twilio.org. Select your country and language, and you’ll get directed to your local validation provider.
2. If you haven’t done so, create a user account with the TechSoup partner by clicking the "Sign up to Get Validated" button.
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- Note: your local provider might not be called TechSoup. TechSoup has partnered with more than 60 civil society organizations as part of its Global Network for localized verification
- Note: your local provider might not be called TechSoup. TechSoup has partnered with more than 60 civil society organizations as part of its Global Network for localized verification
3. Once you have an active user account with your local TechSoup partner, return to the TechSoup Validation Portal for Twilio.org and click the "Log in with [local partner]" button.
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- This allows you to authenticate with your credentials from the local partner
- TechSoup will check to see if your user account is already associated with a verified organization with the local partner and direct you to their website to add a new organization if no organization memberships are found
4. If you don’t belong to a verified TechSoup organization, you’ll need to add or join an organization with the local partner. The specifics will vary depending on your local validation partner. Please refer to their documentation for details.
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- Your organization may need to provide documents or respond to emails from the TechSoup Global Network to clarify details.
- This process varies by country but typically takes 2-5 business days. If correspondence is needed, it can take 2-20 business days.
- If you haven’t received any updates from TechSoup after 5 business days, check your spam folder then contact TechSoup.
- If your organization is already registered in TechSoup, you’ll be asked to reach out to the local team.
Once your organization is approved by the local partner, access your TechSoup validation token.
Step 2: Access your TechSoup validation token
A validation token is a unique code used to access special products and benefits, like the Impact Access Program. Your token proves that your organization has been verified by TechSoup and bypasses the need for a manual review.
1. Go to the TechSoup Validation Portal for Twilio.org and select your country and language
2. Assuming you followed step 1, click the "Log in with [local partner]" button
3. Click on your organization in the list and confirm your information
4. If a validation token exists, it’ll be displayed here. Copy the token to your clipboard.
- Validation tokens look like: 123a4567@1b234c5de6789000.
- If no validation token exists, first click "Create token for a new user".
Once you have your validation token, provide your token during Impact Access signup.
Step 3: Provide validation token during Impact Access signup
With your token, you get instantly approved for the Twilio.org Impact Access Program.
1. Visit the Impact Access signup page
2. Select "Public benefit nonprofit" from the organization type dropdown and confirm that you have a TechSoup account.
3. Paste your token into the field, and click “Next.”
4. Finish signing up for Impact Access by providing details about your organization, upgrading your Twilio account, and adding a payment method. With TechSoup verification, you’ll receive your $500 USD equivalent kickstart credit and discounted pricing as soon as you upgrade and add a payment method.
FAQs & Troubleshooting
- Does my organization qualify for TechSoup verification?
- What is the advantage of getting verified by TechSoup?
- How do I add a new TechSoup organization?
- How do I join an existing TechSoup organization?
- What can I do if I get an error saying my organization has already been approved for Impact Access?
- What can I do if I get an error saying my TechSoup organization has been used by the maximum number of Twilio accounts?
- What can I do if I get an error saying my validation token is expired?
- What can I do if I get an error saying my TechSoup organization is marked as “Not Valid”?
- What is the difference between a validation token and an association code?
- Will a validation token created for a different user work if I try to use it?
- Who should I contact for support?
Does my organization qualify for TechSoup verification?
TechSoup verification is available to public benefit nonprofits — 501(c)(3) nonprofits and equivalents based on TechSoup local NGO definitions.
Other nonprofit types and social enterprises are eligible for Impact Access, but are not eligible for TechSoup verification. These entity types will provide supporting documentation to verify their status during Impact Access sign up and will be reviewed by Twilio.
What is the advantage of getting verified by TechSoup?
TechSoup verification fast-tracks access to Impact Access Program benefits. Manual reviews of Impact Access applicants can take days, but a TechSoup validation token grants $500 USD equivalent kickstart credits and discounted pricing in minutes.
Add a New TechSoup Organization
If your organization hasn’t been registered, you’ll need to fill out organization details and submit an application.
TechSoup will verify your information.
- Your organization may need to provide documents or respond to emails from TechSoup to clarify details.
- This process typically takes 2-5 business days. If correspondence is needed, it can take 2-20 business days.
- If you haven’t received any updates from TechSoup after 5 business days, check your spam folder then contact TechSoup.
While your application is under review, you can monitor your ‘Qualification Pending’ status on your account details page.
Once your organization is approved by TechSoup, continue to access your TechSoup validation token.
How do I join an existing TechSoup Organization?
The below instructions are for TechSoup organizations registered in the US. You will need to contact your local TechSoup partner for getting added to an existing organization for nonprofits outside of the US.
If your organization is already registered with TechSoup, you’ll see a list of the existing organization(s) that match the EIN provided. To join an existing organization, you’ll need to associate your user account with the organization.
Click on the organization entry in the list. You’ll need to contact someone who’s already a member of your TechSoup organization (listed on the right hand side of the page) for an association code. This code grants you permission to act on behalf of your organization and is NOT the same thing as a validation token.
When contacting the person listed as a member of your TechSoup organization, you can give these instructions to locate the association code:
• Click on the circle profile icon in the upper right corner and then click "Your Account"
• Click on the organization’s name and they’ll find the Association Code in the bottom right (it'll look like 1234-ABCD-WXYZ)
• Copy the association code and share it with you using a secure channel
What can I do if my organization has many locations or branches?
If you represent a federated nonprofit/NGO that operates with many branches and locations that share an EIN, TechSoup will allow you to create multiple branches.
How to Register a New Branch in TechSoup
• Add or join your organization
• Enter your EIN or FSCS ID
• Each branch should register using the same EIN.
• If the branch location has separate tax-exempt status from its parent organization, it should register with the EIN that holds that status.
• If you have already registered an organization with the same EIN, you will be taken to the “Existing TechSoup Accounts” page. Click “I don’t see my organization.”
• Enter your branch specific information, noting the branch location in the organization name.
- Each branch should register with the annual operating budget for that specific location. If this budget is undefined, you may report the annual operating budget of the entire organization.
What can I do if I get an error saying my TechSoup organization has been used by the maximum number of Twilio accounts?
Twilio limits the number of accounts per TechSoup organization that can have discounts and credits automatically applied through the Impact Access Program. Email submissions@twilio.org to request benefits for additional accounts. In your email please include your Account SID, Organization name and reason for multiple Twilio accounts.
What can I do if I get an error saying my validation token is expired?
Go to the TechSoup Validation Portal for Twilio.org and log in. Click ‘Create token for a new user.’ Fill out the form and click the button to finish creating the token. The new validation token should now be added to the list of tokens for your organization.
What can I do if I get an error saying my TechSoup organization is marked as “Not Valid”?
Log in to TechSoup and check for information about reverifying your organization. It’s possible that your organization can’t be verified as a nonprofit. Contact TechSoup if you have questions.
What is the difference between a validation token and an association code?
A validation token is used to verify that your organization is an active public benefit nonprofit, and you are an authorized representative of the organization according to TechSoup. This token is provided during Impact Access sign up to assert nonprofit status for your organization.
An association code associates a TechSoup user account with a TechSoup organization. This association code is needed when a person needs to join a previously registered TechSoup organization so they can access a validation token.
Will a validation token created for a different user work if I try to use it?
Yes, as long as the token is not expired, and the organization has not already been linked to a Twilio account approved for the Impact Access Program, using a validation token created for a different TechSoup user will be accepted.
Who should I contact for support?
If you need help creating a TechSoup account, adding or joining a TechSoup organization, accessing your validation token, or want updates on the verification process (Steps 1 and 2) — then please contact TechSoup.
If you are experiencing issues with providing your token during Impact Access signup in the Console (Step 3) — then please contact Twilio support.