Table of Contents
Program Overview
Twilio.org provides benefits to social impact organizations who use Twilio to advance their missions. The Impact Access Program encompasses support for organizations across Twilio’s products, people, and funding. Specific program benefits for eligible organizations include:
• $100 one-time product credit to help launch your Twilio app
• Discounted pricing on most Twilio products
• Access to Twilio resources, including tutorials, guides, and customer support
• Invitation to apply for grants and investments through the Impact Fund (only select entity types are eligible; see details below)
To sign up for the Impact Access Program, click here.
Eligibility Guidelines
The entity types described below are eligible for the Twilio.org Impact Access program. Note that qualification under the social enterprise and unregistered social impact initiative categories are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Entity Type | Description | Legal Designation (US) | Legal Designation (Non-US) | Examples |
Public benefit nonprofit |
Nonprofits and NGOs who operate principally to benefit the general public. |
501(c)(3) |
Organizations that meet criteria of TechSoup’s Local NGO definition |
Humanitarian aid organization, food bank, private university |
Mutual benefit nonprofit |
Nonprofit that works for the benefit of a select group of members rather than for the general public. |
501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), 501(c)(6), or any other 501(c) designations |
Local equivalent |
Social welfare organization, labor union, credit union |
Social enterprise |
For-profit companies that use a business model to intentionally achieve a positive social, economic, environmental or cultural outcome. |
|
Companies improving education, emergency response, or healthcare |
|
Approved international organization |
Recognized autonomous international organizations working for global public benefit under the U.S. International Organizations Immunities Act (IOIA). |
Designated public international organizations recognized by the U.S. under IOIA. |
UN agencies, international financial institutions |
|
Public education |
Primary, Secondary or Higher Education institutions that are primarily locally, state or federally funded. |
Government Entity
|
Local Equivalent |
Public Pre K-12 schools, Public Colleges and Universities
|
Unregistered social impact initiative |
Individuals or small groups who function temporarily as a nonprofit entity without incorporation to perform some social good activity. |
N/A |
Nonprofits that are not yet registered with their local government, volunteer groups, students, independent hacktivists |
Ineligible Entity Types
The below entity types are not eligible for the Impact Access program at this time:
• Government entities: Entity is that which is closely affiliated, generally by government ownership or control, with federal, state or local governments (e.g. Department of Health, Public Works, Fire Department).
• Political organizations: Tax-exempt organizations created primarily to influence the selection, nomination, election, appointment or defeat of candidates to federal, state or local public office (e.g. political candidate, party, PAC, or other committee).
• Traditional business with public benefit use case: Businesses that do not meet the above definition of a social enterprise that have a specific use case that creates positive social impact (e.g. social impact arm of company).
While these organization types aren't eligible for the Impact Access program, we'd still love to help you reach your engagement goals. Contact a Twilio specialist to learn more about resources available for your organization.
Verifying Eligibility
Note: As of May 2023, Impact Access will inherit trust from verified nonprofit U.S. A2P Brands. Any account associated with a Primary A2P Brand confirmed with a 501(c) tax exempt status will be automatically approved for Impact Access with no additional verification required. This apples to public benefit and mutual benefit nonprofits with a presence in the U.S.
For more information on how to register for U.S. A2P messaging as a nonprofit, please see this guide.
In order to be accepted into the Impact Access Program, you must verify your status as one of the eligible entity types above. Proof of eligibility will be required when signing up for the Impact Access Program in the Twilio Console.
Entity Type |
Vetting Timeframe |
Verifying Authority |
Proof of Eligibility |
Public benefit nonprofit |
⚡️Instant⚡️ with validated TechSoup account or qualifying U.S. A2P Brand |
TechSoup or U.S. A2P Brand |
- Nonprofit U.S. A2P Primary Brand confirmed with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status |
Mutual benefit nonprofit |
- ⚡️Instant⚡️ for qualifying U.S. A2P Brand - ~5 business days otherwise |
U.S. A2P Brand or Twilio.org |
- Document asserting current tax-exempt status including but not limited to:
- Nonprofit U.S. A2P Primary Brand confirmed with other 501(c) tax exempt status |
Social enterprise |
~5 business days |
Twilio.org |
Social enterprise eligibility form Make a copy, complete the fields, save as a PDF. Then, attach it to your Impact Access application as your document to support eligibility.
|
Approved international organization |
~5 business days |
Twilio.org |
Document proving representation of one of the public international organizations designated by the International Organizations Immunities Act (IOIA). |
Public education |
~5 business days |
Twilio.org |
Public education eligibility form Make a copy, complete the fields, save as a PDF. Then, attach it to your Impact Access application as your document to support eligibility. |
Unregistered impact initiative |
~5 business days |
Twilio.org |
Unregistered impact initiative eligibility form Make a copy, complete the fields, save as a PDF. Then, attach it to your Impact Access application as your document to support eligibility. |