TechSoup & Goodstack: Digital Verification for Nonprofits
Running a modern animal welfare association in Spain requires professional tools to manage adoptions, coordinate volunteers, and raise funds. TechSoup España and Goodstack are the two primary platforms that verify your nonprofit status so you can access these tools for free or at a significant discount.
Instead of proving your legal status to every individual software company, you verify your association with these platforms once to unlock a wide range of benefits.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Verification Platforms
- Which Platform for Which Benefit?
- TechSoup España: 2026 Updates
- Goodstack: Verification for Global Tools
- Required Documentation Checklist
- Step-by-Step Registration
- Common Issues & Troubleshooting
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Understanding Verification Platforms
Tech companies want to help NGOs, but they need to ensure the organizations receiving discounts are legally registered. TechSoup and Goodstack act as "digital notaries." They review your Spanish legal documents and confirm your eligibility to providers like Google, Microsoft, Slack, and Canva.
- TechSoup España: Long-established in Spain, currently managed by Asociación TS Spain (Innovación Solidaria).
- Goodstack: A global platform increasingly used for automated verification and corporate "matching gift" programs.
Which Platform for Which Benefit?
The choice of platform depends entirely on which software your association plans to use. Based on the current Benefits & Discounts available, here is how they are distributed:
| Benefit | Primary Verification Partner | Association Need |
|---|---|---|
| Google Workspace & Ad Grants | Goodstack | Professional email and $10,000/mo in search ads. |
| Canva Pro for Teams | Goodstack | High-quality adoption posters and social media graphics. |
| Slack Pro | TechSoup | Real-time communication for volunteer coordination. |
| Microsoft 365 | Goodstack | Cloud storage, Teams, and Office suite. |
| ChatGPT Team | Goodstack | AI assistance for drafting grants and animal bios. |
| Adobe Acrobat Pro | Goodstack | Managing and digitally signing adoption contracts. |
See all benefits: Visit our Benefits & Discounts page for a complete, up-to-date list.
TechSoup España: 2026 Updates
As of early 2026, TechSoup's presence in Spain is transitioning to direct management by TechSoup Global:
- Transition Date: Starting January 1, 2026, TechSoup Global (the US-based parent organization) will directly manage the TechSoup program in Spain at techsoup.es.
- Maintenance Window: The portal is in maintenance until January 5, 2026.
- Legacy Support: For orders placed before December 29, 2025, contact
info@techsoup.es. - Innovación Solidaria: The former Spanish management team has launched an independent project at innovacionsolidaria.org. While they remain a valuable resource for the nonprofit community, they are no longer the official gatekeepers of TechSoup tokens after January 1st.
Important: For new TechSoup verifications and tokens, use the official TechSoup Global portal at techsoup.es starting January 5, 2026.
Goodstack: Verification for Global Tools
Many modern cloud services now use Goodstack for a more automated verification flow.
- Application Flow: Often, you begin the application on the provider's site (like Google for Nonprofits) and are redirected to Goodstack to complete the "Affiliation" check.
- Corporate Giving: Goodstack also lists your association in a database used by large corporations for employee donation matching.
Required Documentation Checklist
To verify your non-profit animal welfare association you will need clear digital copies (PDFs) of your official Spanish documents. In most standard cases, you do not need to provide bank statements or utility bills.
- ✅ NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal): Your association's tax ID card.
- ✅ Estatutos: The complete, signed bylaws of your association.
- ✅ Certificado de Inscripción: Proof of registration in the Registro de Asociaciones (national or regional).
Recommendation: Ensure the name on all documents matches exactly. Discrepancies between the NIF and the Registry can cause verification delays.
Step-by-Step Registration
For Goodstack-related benefits:
- Start at the source: Visit the nonprofit page of the tool you want (e.g., Google for Nonprofits).
- Redirect: Follow the prompts; the site will automatically redirect you to Goodstack.
- Upload: Provide your NIF and registration certificate.
- Approval: Verification usually takes 3–5 business days.
For TechSoup-related benefits:
- Register: Visit the official TechSoup portal at techsoup.es (available after January 5, 2026).
- Create Profile: Use your association's official email address.
- Validation: Once verified, you will receive a Validation Token (a unique code) to use on sites like Slack.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
- Verification Delay: If verification takes longer than 10 days, check your spam folder or contact
NGOsupport@techsoup.orgfor global issues. - Name Mismatch: If your association recently changed its name, ensure you have the updated Certificado de Inscripción before applying.
- Email Choice: Using an email with your organization's domain (e.g.,
info@miaprotectora.org) often speeds up the affiliation check compared to personal Gmail or Hotmail accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there a cost to register?
A: No. Registration and verification are free on both platforms. Some software on TechSoup may have a small administrative fee, but most cloud tools (Google, Canva) are entirely free for eligible NGOs.
Q: Do I need to be a national-level association?
A: No. Local and regional associations in Spain are eligible as long as they have a valid NIF and are registered in an official Registro de Asociaciones.
Q: Can I use one account for multiple projects?
A: Yes. Once your association's NIF is verified, you can typically use that status to unlock multiple tools across your different teams (adoptions, TNR, fundraising).
Q: How long does verification last?
A: Typically permanent, but some programs require annual re-verification. You'll receive email reminders.
Q: Can I use a personal email (Gmail, Hotmail)?
A: Yes, but verification is faster with an organizational domain email. If you don't have one yet, see our Google Workspace guide to set one up.
Conclusion
Whether you choose TechSoup or Goodstack depends on the specific tools your association needs to fulfill its mission. By completing these verifications proactively, you ensure your shelter has access to the best technology available to help animals in Spain.
See All Benefits
Ready to explore what your association can access? Browse our complete catalog of verified discounts and free tools.
View All Benefits & Discounts →