This just in from my Dell rep, and confirmed by several in the CITRT Twitterverse: VMWare has opened up their academic pricing to non-profits. Jason Powell has the pricing information at his blog. The relevant bits from VMWare:

Definition and Requirements of a Non-Profit Entity for Eligibility to Participate in the VMware Academic Buying Program:
The following U.S. Non-Profits under U.S. Tax Code 501(c) are eligible to participate in the VMware Academic Buying Program.

• Non-Profits are defined under U.S.Tax Code 501(c)(3) as an organization which is organized and operated exclusively for one of the following purposes:
  • Religious
  • Charitable
  • Scientific
  • Literary
  • Educational
  • In the prevention of cruelty to children or animals
  • In the testing for public safety
  • Fostering national or international amateur sports competition
• Non-Profits under U.S. Tax Code 501(d) Religious or Apostolic Organizations
• Non-Profits under U.S. Tax Code 501(e) Cooperative Health Services provided to Hospitals
• Non-Profits under U.S. Tax Code 501(f) Cooperative Service Organizations of Operating Educational Organizations providing cooperative investment services for Educational Organizations
• Non-Profits under U.S. Tax Code 501(k) Child Care Organizations which supply child care to children with working parents
• Non-Profits under U.S. Tax Code 501(n) Charitable Risk Pools which pools insurance risks of 501(c) (3) Organizations

Not all nonprofits qualify, of course:

U.S. Organizations not eligible to participate in the VMware Academic Buying Program:

• U.S. Tax Code 501(c) 1 Non-Profits as defined as Corporate Organization under Acts of Congress, or as Instrumentalities of the United States.
• U.S. Tax Code 501(c) 2 Non-Profits as defined as Title Holding Corporations for Exempt Organizations, or those who hold title to property owned by Exempt Organizations.
• Organizations filed under 501(c) (4 through 27). This includes:
  • Teachers’ Retirement Fund Associations
  • Domestic Fraternal Societies and Associations
  • Fraternal Beneficiary Societies and Associations
  • Social and Recreation Clubs
  • Business Leagues, Chambers of Commerce, Real Estate Boards, etc.
  • Labor, Agricultural, and Horticultural Organizations
  • Civic Leagues, Social Welfare Organizations, and Local Associations of Employees
  • Political organizations
  • Labor or fraternal organizations
• Other Organizations not eligible:
  • Organizations that are an integral part of local government or have governmental powers
  • Hospitals not wholly owned by a University
  • Health Management organizations (HM)
  • Preferred Provider organization (PPO)
  • Non-profits that are not charitable organizations or act as non-profit lobbying groups
  • Private Foundations
  • Academic facilities that qualify for Academic status.

If you’re not in the US, same sort of deal applies, if your organization is equivalently defined as non-profit under your local tax codes. Contact your VMWare reseller for details.