Why Salesforce is #1 nonprofit CRM: What can and what’s coming in 2025

When Salesforce first stepped into the nonprofit world in 2004, only 150 organizations were using it. Fast forward to 2024, and that number has skyrocketed past 50,000. This isn’t just growth—it’s proof that Salesforce has become the go-to CRM for nonprofits, giving organizations the tools they need to manage donor relationships, automate processes, and expand their impact.

But technology doesn’t stand still, and neither do the needs of nonprofits. As we move into 2025, Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud continues to evolve, rolling out new features and updates tailored to the challenges organizations face today.

At Noltic, we’ve worked with many nonprofits, helping them get the most out of Salesforce. We know firsthand how the right technology can transform the way you operate, engage donors, and drive your mission forward. That’s why we put together this guide—to walk you through what Salesforce offers right now, the key improvements over the past few years, and what’s on the horizon for 2025.

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How Salesforce can improve nonprofits: insightful cases from our experience

To show how Salesforce helps nonprofits address real challenges, we’d like to share four cases our team worked on. Each client faced unique obstacles, and Salesforce enabled them to overcome these effectively.

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Ukrainian Catholic University: Processes unification and optimization

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Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), a private university in Lviv, needed a centralized system to improve its operations across fundraising, student recruitment, and administration. Without a unified platform, data was scattered across different systems, making collaboration inefficient and limiting the university’s ability to engage donors and prospective students effectively.

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Our solution:

We implemented a fully customized Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud solution, bringing all key operations under one roof. This allowed UCU to:

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• Centralize data and processes. Previously disconnected departments were now connected, ensuring better coordination between fundraising, recruitment, and administrative teams.
• Automate donor engagement. We optimized UCU's fundraising efforts by personalizing donor communications, automating donation tracking, and supporting planned giving processes. This not only strengthened relationships with donors but also improved long-term engagement.
• Enhance collaboration. By leveraging the Customer 360 Platform, we enabled seamless integration with third-party tools like Google Drive and Gmail, ensuring better data sharing and teamwork.
• Improve student recruitment. We integrated a live chat feature on UCU’s website, allowing prospective students to get quick responses to their inquiries, making the admissions process more efficient and engaging.

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With Salesforce in place, UCU now operates more efficiently, with improved communication between stakeholders—students, donors, and academic staff. The university can better manage its educational ecosystem, ensuring long-term success.

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"Our partnership with UCU was built on shared values, focusing on creating a support system that aligns with their mission of academic excellence and community impact. With the new Salesforce setup, UCU is well-equipped to expand its reach and enhance its support network.", says Vlad Petrovych, our CRO.

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Better Time Stories: Improving request processing

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Better Time Stories is dedicated to providing emotional support to Ukrainian refugee children by delivering interactive book sets narrated by their family members. However, managing incoming donations and family requests manually led to inefficiencies, including human errors in data entry, logistical challenges in package distribution, and difficulties in scaling operations across multiple countries.

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Our solution:

We customized Salesforce to build a more efficient and reliable request processing system. Key improvements included:

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• Automating workflows. We reduced the time and effort required to process incoming donations and family requests by replacing manual steps with automation.
• Enhancing data validation. We introduced multi-step address validation to minimize human errors and ensure packages reach their intended recipients more reliably.
• Eliminating duplicate entries. By refining data entry processes and correcting common errors like Cyrillic writing mistakes, we improved accuracy and communication with families.
• Verifying requests. We implemented a verification solution to confirm the legitimacy of requests, ensuring resources were directed to those who genuinely needed them.
• Expanding operations. The system was scaled to support deliveries beyond the Netherlands, reaching families in Germany and Belgium, increasing the program’s impact.

With these enhancements, Better Time Stories significantly improved request processing efficiency, reduced failed deliveries, and ensured more families received the books they needed.

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Freedom ID: A streamlined verification platform

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Freedom ID was created to protect Ukrainian refugees from human trafficking by verifying potential hosts willing to provide shelter. The platform needed a secure, fast, and reliable verification process to ensure the safety of those seeking refuge. Manual host verification was slow, prone to errors, and lacked scalability, making it difficult for nonprofits to efficiently connect refugees with safe housing.

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Our solution:

We partnered with Zenoo, leveraging their expertise in KYC (Know Your Customer) operations and document validation to build a verification system that meets strict EU regulations while addressing the needs of nonprofits. Key improvements included:

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• Automating identity verification. Hosts can now upload scans of government-issued IDs and a recent photo, which are automatically processed through licensed providers for accuracy and compliance.
• Multi-layered verification process. A combination of automated checks and manual review capabilities reduces errors, minimizes wait times, and ensures hosts are verified efficiently.
• Nonprofit referral system. Nonprofit organizations can create accounts and refer potential hosts through unique links, enabling a seamless verification process.
• Transparent tracking and management. Designated administrators from referring nonprofits can monitor the status of verification requests, ensuring clear communication and accountability.
• Scalable architecture for future enhancements. The platform is built to support future developments, including automated refugee-host matching and potential blockchain integration for secure identity verification.

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With Salesforce at its core, Freedom ID now provides a faster, more reliable way to verify hosts, ensuring Ukrainian refugees have access to safe housing. By reducing wait times and minimizing verification errors, the platform helps nonprofits act quickly and efficiently.

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Nova Ukraine: Enhanced grant application and donation workflows

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Nova Ukraine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, faced difficulties in managing its growing volume of grant applications and donations. The team needed a centralized system to streamline grant approvals, improve donor communication, and ensure funds were distributed quickly and transparently.

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Our solution:

We built a grants management platform tailored to Nova Ukraine’s needs, ensuring efficient handling of applications, donations, and fund distribution. Key improvements included:

• Simplified grant application processing. We designed web forms for organizations seeking grants, automatically generating unique profiles and linking all relevant documents for background checks.
• Automated workflows. By automating approvals, financial fulfillment, and reporting, we reduced manual errors and enabled faster processing of grants and donations.
• Centralized donor management. We integrated donor data from multiple platforms into a single system, allowing Nova Ukraine to engage with over 190,000 individual donors while ensuring transparent payment processing.
• Advanced analytics. We implemented tools to track donation patterns and fund levels, helping the organization optimize its impact and quickly allocate funds to urgent needs.
• Rapid deployment. The Salesforce platform was set up in just three weeks, enabling Nova Ukraine to process payments within 24 hours—critical for delivering aid during emergencies.

With these enhancements, Nova Ukraine now manages grant applications and donations with greater efficiency, ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need faster and more transparently.

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Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud capabilities overview

Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud is a CRM platform designed to meet the unique needs of nonprofit organizations. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools that help you manage operations, engage with donors, track program outcomes, and drive your mission forward.

Serving as an integrated platform, Nonprofit Cloud centralizes all aspects of nonprofit management, including donor relationships, fundraising efforts, program management, and volunteer coordination. Its primary purpose is to empower you to operate more efficiently by automating routine tasks, providing real-time analytics, and offering customizable features tailored to your specific needs. This enables you to focus more on your mission rather than administrative burdens.

Notably, 93% of nonprofit customers have reported a positive return on investment since implementing Salesforce, with a 29% increase in both faster decision-making and team collaboration.

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Key functionalities

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1. Constituent management

Nonprofits often engage with multiple stakeholders—donors, volunteers, members, beneficiaries, and partners. Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud acts as a centralized database that helps you manage these relationships efficiently.

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• Provides a 360-degree view of donors and supporters, tracking all interactions, donations, event participation, and communication history.
• Allows segmentation of donors and beneficiaries for targeted outreach and personalized engagement.
• Automates communications via email, SMS, and social media, ensuring consistent and timely engagement.
• Enables collaboration across teams by providing real-time updates and shared records of interactions.

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2. Fundraising and donation management

Raising funds is the backbone of nonprofit work, and Nonprofit Cloud provides powerful tools to manage and optimize fundraising efforts.

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• Supports multiple fundraising channels, including one-time donations, recurring gifts, major gifts, and grants.
• Integrates with payment processors to track and reconcile donations seamlessly.
• Allows setting up fundraising campaigns with automated donor outreach and engagement strategies.
• Provides a donor pipeline view, helping fundraisers track prospects and plan future outreach.
• Generates reports on donation trends, donor retention, and campaign effectiveness to refine fundraising strategies.

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3. Grant and program management

Managing programs and distributing grants efficiently is a challenge for many nonprofits. Nonprofit Cloud simplifies these processes through:

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• Organizations can create web forms for grant applications, automatically generating profiles and linking required documentation.
• Automated workflows reduce manual errors and speed up approval and disbursement processes.
• Budget and financial tracking ensures grant funds are allocated correctly and transparently.
• Impact measurement tools to track program success, allowing nonprofits to report back to donors and stakeholders.

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4. Volunteer and event management

Volunteers play a crucial role in nonprofit work, and Salesforce makes it easier to manage recruitment, scheduling, and engagement.

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• Volunteer portals where volunteers can sign up, update their availability, and track their participation.
• Automated scheduling assigns tasks and shifts based on availability and skills.
• Event management tools for organizing fundraisers, awareness events, and training programs while tracking attendance and follow-ups.
• Helps identify highly engaged volunteers and donors, making it easier to retain and appreciate them.

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5. Case management

For nonprofits that provide direct assistance (e.g., food distribution, housing, education, healthcare), Nonprofit Cloud includes case management tools to track and coordinate services.

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• Case tracking allows organizations to document client needs, interactions, and service history in one place.
• Personalized care plans help to develop and monitor support plans for individuals or families.
• Referral management enables coordination with other nonprofits or government agencies to ensure clients receive appropriate services.
• Automated reminders help caseworkers stay on top of deadlines and follow-ups.

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6. Outcome management and impact reporting

Measuring the impact of nonprofit programs is essential for securing funding and demonstrating effectiveness. Nonprofit Cloud provides real-time data tracking and reporting to help with:

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• Organizations can set clear targets for their programs by defining success metrics and goals.
• Nonprofit Cloud automatically gathers data from various sources to evaluate effectiveness.
• Organizations can create custom dashboards and reports with easy-to-understand impact summaries.
• Ensures nonprofits can report accurately on fund usage and outcomes by generating compliance and grant reports.

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7. Financial management and compliance

Nonprofit Cloud helps manage finances with transparency, ensuring donations and funds are properly allocated.

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• Organizations monitor spending against grants and program budgets.
• Donation processing and payment reconciliation ensure accurate financial records for audits and tax compliance.
• Integration with accounting software like QuickBooks, NetSuite, and other financial tools to maintain accurate records.

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8. AI-powered insights with Einstein Analytics

Salesforce’s AI-powered analytics tool, Einstein Analytics, provides nonprofits with predictive insights to improve operations.

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• Identifies donors likely to contribute again and suggests personalized outreach strategies.
• Provides campaign effectiveness analysis and highlights what works best in fundraising efforts.
• Uses machine learning to suggest actions based on donor and program data.

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9. Scalability and integration

As nonprofits grow, they need a system that can scale with them. Nonprofit Cloud:

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• Integrates with thousands of third-party apps (e.g., Mailchimp, Stripe, PayPal, Google Drive) to extend functionality.
• Provides customizable workflows to adapt to unique organizational needs.
• Offers cloud-based access, allowing teams to work remotely and collaborate in real-time.

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Why is the Nonprofit Cloud better than traditional CRMs?

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While many organizations use traditional CRMs for donor management, Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud stands out because it is built specifically for nonprofits, offering:

• Nonprofit-specific functionalities with built-in tools for donor engagement, program tracking, grant management, and volunteer coordination.
• End-to-end automation reduces manual effort and errors by automating workflows for donations, approvals, and reporting.
• Customizability allows organizations to tailor the platform to fit their exact needs.
• Whether managing a small nonprofit or a global humanitarian initiative, Salesforce provides the flexibility to grow and adapt.
• Salesforce offers AI-driven insights and advanced reporting to help nonprofits make data-driven decisions.
• The Power of Us program provides eligible organizations with 10 Salesforce nonprofit licenses at no cost, making it more accessible for organizations with limited budgets.

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Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) overview

What is salesforce NPSP?

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Salesforce first introduced the Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) in 2005 as an open-source, community-driven solution built on the Salesforce platform. It was designed to help nonprofits manage donor relationships, fundraising efforts, and program operations using a CRM tailored to their needs. Over the years, NPSP has grown into a widely used tool, helping thousands of nonprofits organize their work more effectively. 

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However, as the needs of nonprofit organizations evolved, Salesforce recognized the demand for a more comprehensive and scalable solution that could support larger and more complex operations. This led to the introduction of Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud, which expands on NPSP’s capabilities with enhanced automation, AI-powered insights, and deeper integrations across Salesforce products.

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While some organizations continue to use NPSP, many are transitioning to Nonprofit Cloud for its advanced features and long-term support. Below is an overview of NPSP’s core functionalities and how it helps nonprofits manage their day-to-day operations.

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Key functionalities of NPSP

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1. Centralized data management

NPSP acts as a single source of truth for nonprofits, consolidating donor details, volunteer records, and program data into one system. This eliminates the need for multiple spreadsheets or disconnected tools, ensuring teams can access the information they need at any time.

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2. Donor and engagement tracking

Strong relationships are essential for nonprofit success. NPSP allows organizations to:

• Track every donor, volunteer, and supporter interaction.
• Automate personalized outreach campaigns.
• Keep detailed records of past contributions and engagement history.

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3. Fundraising and grant management

Managing donations, grants, and fundraising campaigns is simpler with NPSP. The platform enables nonprofits to:

• Process and track one-time and recurring donations efficiently.
• Manage grant applications and reporting requirements.
• Gain real-time insights into funding trends and donor retention.

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4. Campaign planning and execution

Nonprofits rely on campaigns to drive donations and awareness. With NPSP, organizations can:

• Plan and execute multi-channel fundraising campaigns.
• Track performance metrics to identify what’s working.
• Adjust strategies based on real-time data.

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5. Reporting and impact measurement

Measuring success is crucial for securing funding and proving impact. NPSP provides:

• Custom dashboards and reports tailored to nonprofit needs.
• Insights into fundraising trends, donor engagement, and program outcomes.
• Data-driven decision-making for more effective resource allocation.

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6. Volunteer management

Nonprofits depend on volunteers, and NPSP helps coordinate efforts effectively by:

• Matching volunteers with opportunities based on skills and availability.
• Tracking volunteer hours and contributions.
• Providing easy sign-up and scheduling tools.

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7. Transparency and compliance

Building donor trust requires transparency. NPSP helps nonprofits:

• Track and report on fund allocation and program results.
• Ensure compliance with funding requirements and nonprofit regulations.
• Provide real-time updates to stakeholders on impact and performance.

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NPSP vs. Nonprofit Cloud

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While NPSP has been a reliable solution for years, Salesforce’s Nonprofit Cloud offers an expanded and future-ready platform with more automation, AI capabilities, and integrated nonprofit-specific features. Many organizations are now considering whether to continue with NPSP or transition to Nonprofit Cloud.

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"NPSP has been a fantastic tool for nonprofits, but Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud takes it to the next level. It provides deeper automation, AI-powered insights, and a more scalable infrastructure.", says our CRO Vlad Petrovych.

If you're wondering whether to stick with NPSP or make the switch, we break it down in our in-depth comparison of NPSP vs. Nonprofit Cloud.

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Salesforce improvements for nonprofits in 2024

Salesforce consistently enhances its offerings, guided by user feedback and market trends. Major updates are typically released twice a year—in spring (around March) and fall (around September). In 2024, Salesforce introduced several key features to support nonprofits:

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Salesforce Einstein Copilot

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In February 2024, Salesforce released Einstein Copilot, a conversational AI assistant embedded within Salesforce applications. Einstein Copilot is designed to provide trusted, AI-generated responses grounded in an organization's unique data and metadata. This deep integration enables a comprehensive understanding of customer relationships, allowing nonprofits to enhance donor engagement, streamline operations, and make data-driven decisions.

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For nonprofits, Einstein Copilot offers the ability to:

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• Answer complex queries: Provide detailed insights into donor histories and program outcomes.
• Generate personalized content: Craft tailored communications for donors and stakeholders.
• Automate routine tasks: Handle administrative duties, freeing up staff to focus on mission-critical activities.

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Marc Benioff, Chair & CEO of Salesforce, highlighted the significance of this innovation:

"Einstein Copilot is the only copilot with the ability to truly understand what is going on with your customer relationships."

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Business Process API for better fundraising

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In the Spring '24 release, Salesforce introduced the Business Process API to enhance fundraising capabilities within the Nonprofit Cloud. This API allows seamless integration of third-party apps for nonprofits with Salesforce's fundraising tools, enabling users with the FundraisingAccess permission to efficiently manage these integrations. By streamlining processes such as matching or creating donor records, handling payment data for external gifts, and submitting comprehensive donation data in a single payload, nonprofits can reduce operational costs and improve data accuracy. 

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Auto-generating unique URLs with custom UTM parameters

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Also introduced in the Spring '24 release, Digital fundraisers can auto-generate unique URLs with custom UTM parameters. This functionality is accessible to users with FundraisingAccess permissions and simplifies the process of creating trackable links for cross-channel sharing. By automating the generation of these URLs, nonprofits can more effectively monitor the performance of their campaigns across various platforms, gaining valuable insights into donor engagement and optimizing their outreach strategies.

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Split gift transaction amounts

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In the Spring '24 release, Salesforce introduced a feature enabling nonprofits to allocate gift transaction amounts across multiple campaigns. This functionality allows organizations to attribute revenue from a single donation to various campaigns proportionally, providing a clearer picture of each campaign's impact on fundraising efforts. By facilitating accurate ROI calculations for recurring donations, nonprofits can better assess the effectiveness of their campaigns and make informed strategic decisions. 

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Personalized donor portals

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Also debuting in the Spring '24 release, Salesforce empowered nonprofits to create personalized donor portals within the Experience Cloud. These portals offer donors access to their contact information, donation history, and active recurring donations, enhancing transparency and engagement. By exposing fundraising entities such as GiftCommitment, GiftRefund, GiftSoftCredit, GiftTransaction, and GiftTribute through the new Experience Cloud permission set license (FundraisingExperienceCloudAccessPsl), organizations can provide a tailored experience that fosters donor trust and loyalty. 

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Financial support for nonprofits

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Beyond feature enhancements, Salesforce continues to demonstrate its commitment to the nonprofit sector by offering financial support. Qualified organizations receive 10 free licenses through the Power of Us program, making the platform more accessible to nonprofits of varying sizes. This initiative enables smaller organizations to leverage Salesforce's robust tools without incurring prohibitive costs, thereby enhancing their operational efficiency and impact.

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What Salesforce updates will await nonprofits in 2025?

Salesforce has published its Spring and Winter 2025 release notes, introducing features designed to enhance nonprofit operations. While the update schedule may vary based on your specific product instance, here's an overview of the upcoming enhancements:

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Customizable summary displays

In the Spring '25 release, fundraising administrators will gain the ability to tailor page layouts for summary objects. This customization allows nonprofits to highlight essential information, improving clarity and efficiency in managing fundraising data. By organizing data to align with specific organizational needs, teams can quickly access critical insights, facilitating more informed decision-making and streamlined operations.

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Enhanced donor segmentation

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Also debuting in the Spring '25 release, campaign managers will be empowered to assign interest tags to outreach source codes. This feature enables more precise donor segmentation, allowing for personalized campaigns that resonate with specific donor interests. By targeting communications more effectively, nonprofits can boost engagement, foster stronger donor relationships, and enhance fundraising outcomes.

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Improved gift impact tracking

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The Spring '25 release introduces tools for capturing key details during gift entry, such as preferred communication methods and gift purposes. This enhancement provides a deeper understanding of donor preferences and the intended impact of their contributions. With this information, nonprofits can tailor their outreach, acknowledge donors in meaningful ways, and demonstrate the tangible effects of their generosity, thereby strengthening donor trust and loyalty.

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Nonprofit Cloud for programs

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Scheduled for the Winter '25 release, Salesforce will roll out updates to the Nonprofit Cloud for Programs, featuring redesigned Salesforce nonprofit Program Management and Case Management functionalities. These enhancements aim to facilitate more efficient program oversight by providing tools that offer comprehensive views of program activities and client interactions. Program managers can utilize action plans, enforce field-level security, and access chronological program views, ensuring all activities are captured and understood in one centralized location. 

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Accounting Subledger integration

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The Winter '25 release will also introduce Accounting Subledger integration, consolidating CRM and accounting data. This feature enhances understanding of fund allocation and improves reporting capabilities. By bridging the gap between fundraising activities and financial systems, nonprofits can achieve greater transparency, ensure compliance, and make data-driven financial decisions that align with their mission objectives.

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Dynamic assessments

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Enhanced case management tools in the Winter '25 release will include dynamic assessments, guiding staff through structured workflows. These assessments adapt based on client responses, ensuring that caseworkers collect pertinent information and provide appropriate services. This dynamic approach enhances the accuracy of assessments, improves client outcomes, and ensures that resources are allocated effectively to meet the unique needs of each individual served.

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Retirement of older products

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Salesforce is retiring the Elevate family of products and foundationConnect, with deactivation scheduled for later in 2025. This means that nonprofits currently using these solutions will need to transition to newer tools within the Nonprofit Cloud to continue managing their fundraising, payment processing, and grant management workflows.

For organizations relying on Elevate, which includes online donation and payment processing tools, Salesforce recommends migrating to Nonprofit Cloud Fundraising, which offers more advanced features and deeper integration with the broader Salesforce ecosystem. Similarly, for nonprofits using foundationConnect for grant management, Salesforce’s new grantmaking capabilities within Nonprofit Cloud provide a more robust and scalable alternative.

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How to prepare for the transition:

1. Assess your current setup and identify which Elevate or foundationConnect features you rely on the most and explore their Nonprofit Cloud replacements;
2. Plan a migration strategy: work with Salesforce specialists to ensure a smooth transition, including data migration and system configuration.
3. Familiarize your staff with the new features in Nonprofit Cloud to ensure they can fully utilize the updated tools.
4. Run a phased implementation to minimize disruptions to operations.

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"2025 is shaping up to be a promising year for nonprofits using Salesforce. New tools will improve donor communication, AI will bring more personalized interactions, and updates to grant management will make processing applications faster and more efficient.", adds Vlad Petrovych, our CRO.

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How nonprofits use Salesforce to enhance their efforts

Nonprofit organizations worldwide have leveraged Salesforce to improve fundraising, strengthen donor relationships, and optimize operations. Here are some key examples of how major nonprofits are using Salesforce to drive impact:

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American Red Cross: improving donor engagement

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The American Red Cross uses Salesforce to personalize donor communication and showcase the real impact of contributions. By integrating donor data across platforms, they can send targeted messages, express gratitude, and share real-time updates on how donations are making a difference. This approach has led to higher donor retention rates and increased recurring contributions.

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World Wildlife Fund (WWF): data-driven fundraising

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WWF leverages Salesforce’s data analytics to segment donors based on interests, demographics, and giving history. This allows the organization to launch targeted campaigns that resonate with specific donor groups, increasing engagement and driving higher donations.

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Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals: event management and social media integration

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Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals use Salesforce to manage events and integrate with social media platforms. This enables them to personalize outreach, boost event registrations, and increase fundraising revenue. By automating engagement through Salesforce, they have seen a significant rise in participation and contributions.

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DonorsChoose: AI-powered donor interactions

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DonorsChoose takes advantage of Salesforce’s automation and AI capabilities to streamline donor communication. Their system automatically acknowledges contributions, sends updates on funded projects, and tailors funding requests to match donor preferences. This has boosted donor satisfaction and increased project funding success rates.

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Habitat for Humanity: strengthening community engagement

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Habitat for Humanity built an interactive donor platform using Salesforce’s community engagement tools. This platform allows donors to connect directly with beneficiaries, track project progress in real-time, and receive personalized updates. The result? Stronger donor bonds, increased loyalty, and higher contributions.

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Getting started with Salesforce for nonprofits

If you want to see actionable results, you need to have a plan. Although the following steps may differ based on varying factors, and the specific plan will vary based on your organization's needs, scale, and existing systems, here is a general overview of the things you need to do to benefit your nonprofit organization:

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1. Identify the specific goals and requirements of your nonprofit. Determine what you want to achieve with NPSP, whether it's donor management, volunteer coordination, program tracking, or a combination of these.
2. Collect and organize your existing data, including donor records, volunteer information, and program data. Cleanse and standardize the data to ensure accuracy and consistency.
3. Acquire the appropriate Salesforce licenses for your organization. Create your Salesforce instance and configure basic settings, such as user permissions and security.
4. Install the Nonprofit Success Pack from the Salesforce AppExchange. NPSP provides pre-built data models and processes tailored for nonprofit needs, including donor management, campaigns, and relationships.
5. Customize NPSP to align with your organization's workflows. Configure settings such as donation management, recurring gifts, Salesforce engagement plans, and fundraising levels.
6. Import your cleansed data into NPSP. This includes importing donor records, volunteer information, and any historical giving or interaction data. Ensure data mapping and transformations are accurately set up.
7. Customize NPSP's data model to match your organization's unique needs. This could involve creating custom fields, objects, and relationships to track specialized data.
8. Configure tools for managing donations, pledges, campaigns, and appeals. Set up tools for tracking major gifts, grants, and soft credits.
9. Implement NPSP features for volunteer coordination. Customize volunteer profiles, assignments, and reporting to fit your organization's volunteer programs.
10. Build custom reports and dashboards to track and analyze your nonprofit's performance. Create visuals that showcase donation trends, program impact, volunteer engagement, and more.
11. Train your staff on using NPSP effectively. Encourage user adoption by providing resources and addressing any questions or concerns.
12. Thoroughly test your NPSP setup to ensure data accuracy and proper functionality. Identify and resolve any issues before going live.
13. Migrate your live data from your existing systems to NPSP. Plan the migration carefully to minimize disruptions and data loss.
14. Launch your NPSP instance and start using it in your daily operations. Continuously gather feedback from users, monitor the system's performance, and make adjustments as needed to optimize processes.

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Training resources for nonprofit Salesforce users

To help nonprofit organizations effectively utilize Salesforce, a range of training resources are available. These resources cover everything from basic navigation to advanced customization, ensuring that nonprofit teams can fully leverage Salesforce’s capabilities.

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Salesforce Trailhead

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Trailhead offers free, interactive Salesforce for nonprofits training modules. It provides step-by-step guidance on:

• Basic navigation and setup;
• Fundraising and donor management;
• Advanced customization and automation.

Explore the Nonprofit Cloud Trailhead modules to get hands-on experience with real scenarios.

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Official Salesforce NPSP documentation

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The official Salesforce NPSP documentation is a comprehensive guide covering all NPSP features, including:

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• Data model structure;
• Fundraising and donation tracking;
• Customization and automation best practices.

Check out Salesforce Help for updated guides for Salesforce NPSP training and troubleshooting solutions.

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Webinars and YouTube tutorials

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Online webinars and YouTube tutorials offer practical insights and real-world applications of how to use Salesforce for nonprofits. These resources are great for learning best practices, troubleshooting issues, and exploring new features.

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• Follow the Nonprofit Salesforce How-To-Series YouTube channel for in-depth tutorials and success stories;
• Attend Salesforce webinars through the Salesforce.org Events page.

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Nonprofit communities and user groups

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Engaging with the Salesforce nonprofit community is an excellent way to network with other organizations, share knowledge, and get expert advice. These communities provide a space for nonprofits to learn from each other’s experiences.

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• Join the Power of Us Hub, a dedicated Salesforce community for nonprofits;
• Participate in local Salesforce nonprofit user groups and meetups to connect with other professionals.

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Consultants and specialized training providers

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For organizations needing personalized guidance, working with a Salesforce consultant or training provider can help optimize implementation and workflow efficiency.

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• Find certified consultants through the Salesforce AppExchange Nonprofit Consultants directory.

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Learning by doing: sandboxes and real-world examples

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Hands-on learning is one of the best ways to understand Salesforce functionality. Using a Salesforce sandbox environment, nonprofits can experiment, test configurations, and simulate real-world scenarios without affecting live data.

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• Set up a sandbox environment within your Salesforce instance for safe testing;
• Explore case studies of nonprofits using Salesforce, such as this collection of success stories.

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Why continuous learning matters

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Salesforce is constantly evolving, introducing new updates and features regularly. Staying engaged with learning resources, communities, and training ensures that nonprofit staff can adapt to changes, optimize workflows, and maximize Salesforce’s impact.

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Maximize Salesforce for your NGO with an experienced partner

At Noltic, we specialize in Salesforce consulting, implementation, and customization, helping nonprofits harness the full potential of Salesforce to drive their mission forward. With years of experience and a deep understanding of nonprofit needs, we ensure that your organization gets a tailored solution that improves fundraising, donor engagement, and program management.

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Why choose Noltic?

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Our expertise in Salesforce is backed by proven results and a track record of success:

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• 120+ delivered projects. We’ve helped organizations across industries, including nonprofits, optimize their Salesforce experience.

• 4.9 rating on AppExchange. Clients trust us to deliver top-quality solutions.

• 400+ certificates, including specialized Salesforce Nonprofit certifications. Our team stays up to date with the latest Salesforce innovations.

• 10 Salesforce-certified architects. Experts who design scalable, future-ready solutions for nonprofits.

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How we help nonprofits

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We understand the unique challenges nonprofits face—limited resources, complex donor management, and the need for efficiency. Our team ensures that Salesforce is not just a tool but a strategic asset for your organization.

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• Custom Salesforce implementations:

Whether you need a Nonprofit Cloud, NPSP, or a tailored solution, we build systems that match your goals.

• Fundraising optimization:

From online donation tracking to grant management, we help improve financial workflows.

• AI-powered donor engagement:

Leverage Salesforce Einstein to personalize outreach and improve donor retention.

• Automation for operational efficiency:

Reduce manual work with automated workflows for donor communications, reporting, and case management.

• Seamless integrations:

Connect Salesforce with payment processors, email marketing tools, and financial systems for a unified experience.

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FAQs

Is Salesforce really free for nonprofits?

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Salesforce offers nonprofits a discount with 10 free licenses to eligible nonprofits through the Power of Us program, allowing organizations to use the Nonprofit Cloud at no cost. However, additional licenses, premium features, or custom configurations may come with extra costs. Many nonprofits find that the free version covers essential needs, but as they scale, they may require paid add-ons or consulting support for customization.

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Is Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud easy to use?

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Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud is designed to be user-friendly, but its full potential comes with a learning curve. It offers customizable dashboards, automation, and AI-driven insights that simplify nonprofit operations. While smaller organizations may need initial training, resources like Trailhead, online documentation, and nonprofit communities make it easier to learn and adapt to the platform.

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How secure is Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud?

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Salesforce is built with enterprise-grade security, offering data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and compliance with industry standards like GDPR and HIPAA. Nonprofits can control access with role-based permissions, ensuring sensitive donor and financial data is protected against unauthorized access. Regular security updates and built-in compliance tools help organizations maintain high data protection standards.

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Does Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud offer support and training?

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Yes. Nonprofits have access to Salesforce’s extensive training and support resources, including Trailhead modules, Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack training, official documentation, online webinars, and the Power of Us Hub community. For personalized guidance, nonprofits can also work with Salesforce-certified consultants to tailor the platform to their specific needs. Paid support plans offer additional assistance, including direct help from Salesforce experts.