Salesforce.org Nonprofit Cloud

We used several other nonprofit CRM packages before going to Salesforce. We weren't ready before then. It helps to have an understanding of databases and what it is you want to record and report on. Having data just to have data doesn't do anybody any good. Using other software, I knew what functionalities were missing for what we needed and we were able to customize Salesforce to get where we needed to go.

We used the volunteer management software for a couple of projects a few years ago but found it a bit clunky. It's been a couple of years so we will probably try it again to see if the user interface feels like a better fit for us.

For an organization to achieve a successful Salesforce implementation and adoption, a specialized staff member is generally required to steward and maintain the system, including keeping up with releases, offering end user training, meeting reporting requirements, and generally enhancing the system with new functionality and automation. Very small organizations frequently face challenges meeting this recommendation because they simply do not have the capacity to keep up with the demands of a Salesforce instance. Additionally, some of the Salesforce differentiators (like profiles, security, role hierarchy, custom page design etc) are simply not relevant to nonprofits that need most users to have the same experience and do not restrict access to records and fields. Therefore, my opinion is that Salesforce is best suited for mid-to-large nonprofits that can dedicate an entire staff position to database management and are willing to embrace a growth-mindset, as Salesforce is constantly evolving.

It is well suited for organizations that want a long term solution, a one-stop-shop for their entire nonprofit's data and database needs. It requires an internal champion and large buy-in from the staff. It should also be implemented by someone with experience, whether it's someone who's hired on or a consultant hired for the process. It may also require ongoing investment if you want to keep adapting it to your organization's changing needs. It is not recommended for organizations that do not have some budget to invest. It isn't as easy to simply spin up and start using with minimal training.

Salesforce for Nonprofits is a decent comprehensive CRM system, better than three others I have used (DonorPerfect, eTapestry/Blackbaud, and Aegis). For the most part, it is user-friendly (once you get past the setup/customization phase, which is actually rather difficult and involved and often requires working with a Salesforce professional) and allows you to visualize your client data in a streamlined way. However, I do think it needs work in its reporting functionality. If reporting was more customizable, I would really love this CRM.

We are a growing non-profit and I anticipate that the size of Salesforce will be very helpful for us in the future. Right now it is challenging for us and we put a lot of energy into understanding what feels like it should take less energy to do. If someone asked me if they should get Salesforce for non-profits and they were a smaller org that does not anticipate growing past $500,000 annual budget, I would advise them to choose a different platform.

Salesforce is the #1 CRM for a reason. There isn't much else to say here. It's the industry standard, it's compatible with basically every third-party app you can think of. The problem with this question is that Salesforce does SO much that it's hard to know what it's not well suited for.

It is great because you get all the power and functionality you can ever need and at an amazing price point. This can also be a problem as you can get overwhelmed with all the capabilities and get buried in the possibilities. You need a clear plan and clear requirements and stick to them. Once the system is up and running and your users are comfortable then you can look to improvements and changes but only once you have total buy-in.