As part of a financially strapped small company, there is some
commercial software that is simply too expensive for our company to
purchase. Is there any institutions/corporations (reputable) that
lease or rent software?

If so, do they typically rent/lease only certain kinds of software, or
could a list of software be provided to the organization? (This answer
is optional)

I realize that some software can be purchased on credit cards, or
other lines of credit and simply paid over time, I am simply
interested in a lease/rent type of transaction.

Hi there!

Yes, as a matter of fact, there *are* companies that lease/rent
software!  They're called Application Service Providers, or ASPs. 
Here's a sampling, with a notation as to what software they offer if
the information is readily available.  Some do require that you
contact them for details:

DDMS - ASP
[ http://www.ddms.com/products/asp/asp_whyrent.htm ]

Acadea Application Services - Microsoft Office 
[ http://www.acadea.com/RentSoftware.htm ]

Charon Systems - Deliver IT
[ http://www.futurelink.net/ ]

Managed Ops.com - Microsoft solutions
[ http://www.managedoperations.com/ ]

USi - Solutions Finder
[ http://www.usi.net/solutions/ ]

SoftLease (Requires contact information)
[ http://www.softlease.com/index9.htm ]

Mi8 - Microsoft Outlook and Exchange, Blackberry, VPN, and Internet
Faxing
[ http://www.mi8.com/ ]

To find specific applications, suited to your individual needs, try
the Application Rental Guide:

[ http://www.findapps.com/ ]


For more information about ASPs:

"Want to Know About Companies That Rent Software Applications? Just
ASP"
[ http://www.thestreet.com/funds/toolsofthetrade/1142403.html ]


...and to show how much attitudes have changed about software rental:

"Software Rental" - Digital Start, March 1989
[ http://www.atarimagazines.com/startv3n8/software_rental.html ]

I hope this helps you find what you need!

missy-ga

That is outstanding, thank you very much!