Learn more about Adobe for Nonprofits, including information on eligibility, product licensing, downloading and installing software, and more.
Download and Installation Questions
How do I know if my computer meets the basic hardware and software requirements?
Each product includes its system requirements on the product page. Creative Cloud applications' requirements are also available on Adobe's website. To see the full list of Adobe products, visit the Adobe for Nonprofits page.
How do I download, install, and activate Adobe products?
Follow the instructions in the fulfillment email you received from TechSoup with the subject line "Your Adobe Donation Request #xxxxxx Through TechSoup." You can also find the instructions in this email by viewing your Fulfillment Messages on the request history page of your account.
Do I have to register for an Adobe.com account and activate the product?
Yes. You must register for an Adobe account first before you can download and install Adobe software. To register
- Go to the Adobe home page.
- Click Sign In. On the sign-in page, click Get an Adobe ID.
- Enter your information and click Sign Up.
Where can I find technical support?
If you have download, installation, or activation issues, visit the Adobe Support page.
General Questions
Which Adobe products are available through Adobe for Nonprofits at TechSoup?
Adobe offers both donations of select products and access to discounted rates for Creative Cloud memberships through TechSoup.
- Donations of select products: Adobe currently offers Adobe Express Premium plan memberships, and the Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements bundle for Windows and Mac.
- Access to discounted rates for Creative Cloud: Adobe offers access to discounted rates on Creative Cloud memberships. The Creative Cloud All Apps plan includes Adobe Photoshop CC, Illustrator CC, Premiere Pro CC, InDesign CC, and many more products. See the Adobe website for a full list of products included in the All Apps plan.
Is my organization eligible for Adobe products through TechSoup?
See the restrictions page.
How much do Creative Cloud cost when requested through TechSoup?
TechSoup's admin fee for the access to discounted rates is $5. After requesting this offer through TechSoup and paying the admin fee, you'll then pay Adobe directly for the discounted subscription.
- For the Creative Cloud for individuals All Apps plan, you'll pay Adobe $30.00 per month for the first year of Creative Cloud membership, a discount of 49 percent off the retail price. Unless you cancel, you'll pay Adobe the same discounted rate each year.
Why does Adobe not offer Creative Cloud as a donation?
The number of design applications included in the suite, the cost of the cloud services Adobe offers, and the transition from a desktop-based to a cloud-based industry make it challenging for Adobe to offer Creative Cloud as a donation. Also, by offering Creative Cloud at a discount, Adobe can make it available to more organization types than it could for a donated product.
Why is there an admin fee for certain offers?
TechSoup charges a one-time administrative fee for most offers to support all of our programs, services, and education, helping nonprofits and charities around the world to use technology to further their missions.
How is Creative Cloud different from Creative Suite?
Creative Cloud is the evolution of Creative Suite. Most of the products included in Creative Suite are available in Creative Cloud, including many that were not previously in Creative Suite. Creative Cloud offers these products through a subscription model that is paid monthly or annually. Members always get the latest version of each application. The Creative Cloud All Apps plans also include access to many online Adobe services and 100 GB of cloud storage space.
How many Creative Cloud can I request?
You can get as many Creative Cloud for individuals memberships as your organization needs through TechSoup's access to discounted rates. You just need to request one product for each individual who needs a membership. Each membership is valid for one user on up to two computers.
Do the Creative Cloud applications run in a browser?
You install and run the Creative Cloud desktop applications, like Photoshop and Illustrator, directly on your computer.
How many computers can I install Adobe software on?
Adobe allows each user to install its software on up to two computers. This can be home and office, desktop and laptop, Windows or Mac, or any other combination. However, you can't run the software simultaneously on both computers. If you install the software on more than two computers, you will need to deactivate the software first on one of the computers.
Do I need to be connected constantly in order to use Creative Cloud applications?
No. Your Creative Cloud desktop applications are installed and run directly on your computer. You only need to be online to install your software and if you are using the Creative Cloud or Document Cloud services like syncing your files. An Internet connection is required the first time you install and license your desktop applications, but you can use the applications in offline mode with a valid software license. The desktop applications will attempt to validate your software licenses every 30 days. For annual members, you can use the applications for up to 99 days in offline mode. Month-to-month members can use the software for up to 30 days in offline mode.
Do I need to store all of the files I create with Creative Cloud in Adobe's cloud storage?
No. You can save all of your files to your computer and share only the ones you want.
Can I install and use Creative Cloud products on public access computers in my library or nonprofit public access computer lab?
No. This offer is only valid for users who are employees or volunteers within an organization.
Can I renew my Creative Cloud membership with TechSoup's access to discounted rates offer?
No. This offer is only available to new members.
My organization already has one or more Creative Cloud for individuals memberships at retail rates. Are we still eligible for additional memberships at the discounted nonprofit rate?
Yes. Existing individual memberships are ineligible for the discounted nonprofit rate, but an organization can request new memberships at that rate for individuals who don't have them.
Are Creative Cloud memberships transferable? Can a new employee or volunteer use a former employee or volunteer's membership for the remaining contract obligation?
Individual memberships are managed on an individual level, and the user's email address is connected to the Adobe ID. With individual memberships, your organization can't change the member's Adobe ID or password, so you should make proper billing arrangements when an employee or volunteer leaves.
What is the difference between Photoshop Elements and Photoshop?
See Adobe Photoshop Elements vs. Adobe Photoshop.
What is the difference between Premiere Elements, Premiere Pro, and Premiere Rush?
See Adobe Premiere Elements vs. Premiere Pro vs. Premiere Rush.
What happens if I cancel my Creative Cloud membership?
You can cancel within the first 14 days to receive a full refund or cancel after the first 14 days to receive a refund of half of your remaining contract obligation.
After you cancel and receive a full or partial refund, Creative Cloud applications will stop working. However, you will continue to have access to Creative Cloud membership's free benefits, including 2 GB Creative Cloud storage or 5 GB Document Cloud storage and use of certain services.
Will I lose all my files if I leave Creative Cloud?
No. You can save all of your files to your computer and keep them before you leave Creative Cloud. If you've stored more than 2 GB of files on Adobe's Creative Cloud storage space when you cancel your membership, you will lose files stored beyond the initial 2 GB you used unless you back them up ahead of time.
