All Leaders

I am not aware of buyers groups for LCMS groups,  but...what a fantastic idea!! If you find out about any I hope you'll post the info here. 

Many groups do this such as municipalities and schools. I'll do some research too and if I find anything I'll let everyone know. 

Marc

Hi Gordon, 

I don't usually have time to respond, but thought I would try and help you. I agree Techsoup is a great organziation to purchase discounted software.  

Synod does have a Group Purchasing Agreement program posted online at Group Purchasing Agreement. 

Unfortunately, the program has steadily declined over the last 25 years.  Companies now include Protect your Ministry, AAIM, 4imprint, and Office Depot/Office Max and three moving companies.  I have used them over the years and it does work.  

I contacted Synod about the program in February and received this response, "The GPA program at Synod is currently on hold-we do not have anybody that is overseeing that program currently."  So the program is here today but may be gone tommorrow!  

I am not aware of buyers groups for LCMS groups,  but...what a fantastic idea!! If you find out about any I hope you'll post the info here. 

Many groups do this such as municipalities and schools. I'll do some research too and if I find anything I'll let everyone know. 

Marc

Hi Gordon, 

I don't usually have time to respond, but thought I would try and help you. I agree Techsoup is a great organziation to purchase discounted software.  

Synod does have a Group Purchasing Agreement program posted online at Group Purchasing Agreement. 

Unfortunately, the program has steadily declined over the last 25 years.  Companies now include Protect your Ministry, AAIM, 4imprint, and Office Depot/Office Max and three moving companies.  I have used them over the years and it does work.  

I contacted Synod about the program in February and received this response, "The GPA program at Synod is currently on hold-we do not have anybody that is overseeing that program currently."  So the program is here today but may be gone tommorrow!  

I am not aware of buyers groups for LCMS groups,  but...what a fantastic idea!! If you find out about any I hope you'll post the info here. 

Many groups do this such as municipalities and schools. I'll do some research too and if I find anything I'll let everyone know. 

Marc

Gordon,

Have you looked into techsoup.org? They're not LCMS related, but they have computer hardware and software at discount prices for non-profits. For example, we got Intuit QuickBooks on-line for $75/yr, a fraction of what Intuit usually charges.

You have to create and account with them and prove you're a non-profit. We are covered under the synod's 503 (c) (3) tax ID. I copied a couple pages from the Lutheran Annual to show that 1) we are covered under the synod (page 807 in the copy I saw) and 2) our church is a member of the synod (copy the page that shows your congregation). I don't have the synod's tax ID, but I'm sure your district treasurer can get it for you.

There are a limited variety of "Group Purchase Agreements" listed at this link. Not sure how much of a discount is offered, but something to look into. The list is attatched

 https://www.lcms.org/group-purchasing-agreement

The congregation should also be able to apply to get all Microsoft software free, and it's the business level editions of the programs. This is through their charitable grant program. I don't remember what all the steps are (we had our techsoup verification already) but here is the link:

https://nonprofit.microsoft.com/en-us/getting-started

Hope this helps.

Gordon,

Have you looked into techsoup.org? They're not LCMS related, but they have computer hardware and software at discount prices for non-profits. For example, we got Intuit QuickBooks on-line for $75/yr, a fraction of what Intuit usually charges.

You have to create and account with them and prove you're a non-profit. We are covered under the synod's 503 (c) (3) tax ID. I copied a couple pages from the Lutheran Annual to show that 1) we are covered under the synod (page 807 in the copy I saw) and 2) our church is a member of the synod (copy the page that shows your congregation). I don't have the synod's tax ID, but I'm sure your district treasurer can get it for you.

There are a limited variety of "Group Purchase Agreements" listed at this link. Not sure how much of a discount is offered, but something to look into. The list is attatched

 https://www.lcms.org/group-purchasing-agreement

The congregation should also be able to apply to get all Microsoft software free, and it's the business level editions of the programs. This is through their charitable grant program. I don't remember what all the steps are (we had our techsoup verification already) but here is the link:

https://nonprofit.microsoft.com/en-us/getting-started

Hope this helps.

Gordon,

Have you looked into techsoup.org? They're not LCMS related, but they have computer hardware and software at discount prices for non-profits. For example, we got Intuit QuickBooks on-line for $75/yr, a fraction of what Intuit usually charges.

You have to create and account with them and prove you're a non-profit. We are covered under the synod's 503 (c) (3) tax ID. I copied a couple pages from the Lutheran Annual to show that 1) we are covered under the synod (page 807 in the copy I saw) and 2) our church is a member of the synod (copy the page that shows your congregation). I don't have the synod's tax ID, but I'm sure your district treasurer can get it for you.