After purchasing, you'll receive a download link by email. Download a zip file, extract it, and open the database — that's it. The steps below walk you through everything, including how to get the free Microsoft Access Runtime if you need it.
If your organisation already has Microsoft 365 Business or a standalone Access licence, you're ready to go. Access 2016 or later is required. Works on Windows 10 or 11.
Most common in organisations already using Microsoft 365.
Microsoft's free Runtime runs MyCharityDB with no licence required. We include installation instructions with every purchase, and full instructions are on this page.
MyCharityDB runs on Windows PCs and laptops. It is not compatible with macOS, iOS, or Chromebooks natively. Mac users can run it via Boot Camp or Parallels Desktop (Windows licence required).
The vast majority of UK charity offices run Windows.
Once installed, MyCharityDB needs no internet connection. Your data stays in a folder on your machine or shared network drive — nothing leaves your organisation.
Ideal for strict data governance requirements.
Most users are up and running in under 15 minutes. Prefer us to handle it? See our installation service below.
After purchasing, you'll receive an email from us with a download link. Check your spam folder if it doesn't arrive within a few minutes. The email also includes a link back to this page and our quick-start guide.
Click the download link to save a zip file to your computer. Right-click it and choose Extract All. Choose a permanent home for the extracted folder — your Documents folder, or a shared network drive if your team needs access.
The extracted folder contains everything the database needs:
Search for "Access" in your Windows Start menu. If it appears and opens, you already have it — skip to step 5. If not, continue to step 4 to install the free Runtime.
Download the Microsoft Access Runtime from Microsoft. Run the installer — it takes around 5 minutes and requires no Microsoft account or licence. Your IT person can also handle this if you have one.
Double-click the database file inside the folder you extracted. It will open in Access or the Runtime automatically. If a Windows security prompt appears, click Open — this is normal for any downloaded file. The database will launch and you are ready to go.
Take two minutes to register your purchase below. We will let you know when updates are available and it makes support much faster if you ever need help.
To give multiple people access, move the entire extracted folder to a shared network drive or SharePoint folder. Each person opens the database from there on their own machine.
Note: the database works best with one person using it at a time. If you need several people working in it simultaneously, our SQL upgrade is designed for that.
No account needed. Just a quick form so we can keep in touch when updates or new modules launch.
Registration is free and optional. We will never share your details or contact you about anything unrelated to your MyCharityDB products.
We use your data only to contact you about MyCharityDB products. You can unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy for full details.
Not everyone has an IT person. Our remote installation service gets everything set up correctly via a short screen-sharing session — so you can focus on running your organisation.
Via a screen-sharing session we will download and extract your files, install the free Access Runtime if needed, make sure everything opens correctly, and walk you through the basics so your team are confident from day one.
Browse the product range and find what your organisation needs.