Technology Impact Program

Technology for a better world

Autodesk donates software to nonprofits and startups that are using design for environmental or social good.

Image courtesy of Hydrous

Man from GearBox welds

Technology for good

Through its Technology Impact Program, Autodesk donates software to nonprofits and social impact startups using design for environmental or social good.

Eligible organizations receive Autodesk software solutions that enable 3D design, engineering, visualization, and simulation to deliver greater impact. Just last year, the Technology Impact Program reached 2,000+ nonprofits and startups globally.

  • $53.4 million

    In fiscal year 2023, Autodesk donated more than $53 million in software licenses to 3,500+ organizations worldwide through its Technology Impact Program.

Available technologies

  • Man works with Autodesk software in a workshop

    Architecture, Engineering, & Construction

    The AEC Collection provides designers, engineers, and contractors a set of BIM and CAD tools supported by a cloud-based common data environment that facilitates project delivery from early-stage design through to construction.

  • Man and woman use Autodesk software at a technology center in Toronto, Canada

    Product Design & Manufacturing

    The collection is a powerful set of applications that provides extended capabilities to Inventor and AutoCAD for engineers who design complex and custom products, equipment, and systems.

  • Man and woman use virtual reality software at a technology center in Toronto, Canada

    Media & Entertainment

    The Media & Entertainment Collection includes all of the tools you need to build a powerful and scalable 3D animation pipeline for complex simulations, effects, and rendering.

Eligibility

Startups

Social impact startups that meet the following criteria can apply for three-year subscriptions:

  • less than six years old
  • 10 or fewer employees
  • annual revenue of less than $1 million USD
  • Innovate in a social or environmental impact area, such as renewable energy & efficiency, water & sanitation, or health

Nonprofits

Nonprofits that meet the following criteria can apply for one-year renewable subscriptions:

  • 501c3 nonprofit or equivalent
  • non-discrimination policy in place
  • annual operating budget less than $10 million USD

Eight ways technology is creating positive impact

Here's how eight impact-driven organizations use Autodesk technology to design and make a better world.

Rendering of the 1,722-square-foot Habitat for Humanity 3D-printed house

Affordable housing

Habitat for Humanity uses the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Collection to build affordable housing.

View of homes in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh

Refugee resettlement

UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, uses the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Collection to protect refugees.

Arial view of coral reef

Saving coral reefs

Coral Maker uses Fusion 360 to design and model coral components, creating a scalable process for millions of coral plantings.

Woman is fitted for a prosthetic arm

3D-printed hands

Victoria Hand Project uses Fusion 360 to design patient-specific prosthetic and orthotic devices.

Student posing with a solar lamp

Solar lights

Solar Buddy is using Autodesk technology to scale solar lighting solutions to end energy poverty by 2030.

Nyiragongo volcano in the DRC

Emergency response

UN Migration is using AutoCAD for rapid site planning and temporary shelter design after a volcanic eruption in the DRC.

Patio of a BADG home

Concept house

BADG uses Revit, BIM 360, and others to render a virtual concept house for Black families to reimagine domestic life.

CallWave fully submerged wave technology system

Wave energy

CalWave is using Autodesk technology to provide reliable, cost-effective ocean wave technologies for sustainable energy access.

Frequently Asked Questions

We do not provide software to individuals, instead we provide software to organizational entities such as nonprofits, companies, businesses, or sole proprietors. If you as an individual have a registered business entity, then your organization may be eligible.

Nonprofit organizations are eligible if they meet the following criteria:

  • Registered as 501c3 nonprofit or the international equivalent
  • Have a non-discrimination policy

If your nonprofit has an annual operating budget less than $10 million USD you’ll be routed to our a vendor, TechSoup. If your nonprofit has an annual operating budget over $10 million USD, you’ll be asked to submit an application that will be reviewed by our team internally.

Startup organizations are eligible if they meet the following criteria:

  • Be less than six years old
  • Have 10 or fewer employees
  • Earn an annual revenue of less than $1 million USD
  • Innovate in a social or environmental impact area, such as renewable energy & efficiency, water & sanitation, or health

Our program is set up to support organizations who otherwise would not be able to afford Autodesk software. However, if your organization purchased software because you were unaware of the program or purchased fewer than five subscriptions, we will review your application and decide on a case-by-case basis.

View the eligibility criteria above and if your organization is a fit click the “Apply Now” button and you’ll be redirected to our Fluxx application where you can start your application

TechSoup is a vendor that distributes Autodesk software donations to eligible nonprofit organizations.

Nonprofit organizations receive software donations with a yearly renewal period. At the end of the year your organization will reapply and as long as your organization continues to meet our eligibility your donation will be renewed.

Startups receive software donations with a three-year subscription period. At the end of the donation, you will be invited to reapply and if you still meet our criteria, you may renew your donation for a final cycle. If you no longer meet our eligibility criteria, we will connect you with our colleagues who can help your organization transition to a paid subscription.

We support organizations whose primary business goal is to create positive social or environmental impact. The impact cannot be a byproduct of your operations, but rather it should be the driving force and motivator of your organization’s work. For examples of exemplary impact visit the stories listed throughout this web page.

The Technology Impact Program does not provide financial support. This program provides in-kind software donations. To learn more about funding, please explore the Autodesk Foundation website: https://www.autodesk.org/what-we-do/funding

Yes, we primarily donate Autodesk Industry Collections, so you have products relevant to your industry. However, if you would like to request a product outside of the collections you can indicate the request in the application and explain how you would use the software. Your request is subject to approval.

Yes, if approved for a software donation we have onboarding and orientation materials to help you get started with your software donation.

Yes, use this link to start a nonprofit application. In this application indicate what criteria you did not meet and why you are requesting an exception. Link here: https://autodesk.fluxx.io/apply/technology-impact-program-nonprofit

After submitting your application, you will hear back from a team member within 10 business days. After initial contact, our team may have additional questions that you will need to answer. You’ll be notified when action is required and as your application moves through the review process of via the Fluxx Portal, so keep an eye on your email for system notifications for the latest information on your application status.

Yes, our nonprofit application requires that you provide evidence that your organization has a policy against practicing discrimination.