What if your Salesforce system worked exactly as it should—helping your nonprofit run smoother, connect deeper, and make an even bigger impact for the people and communities you serve? Sounds pretty great, right? That’s what we explored in our recent webinar, Reimagine Your Nonprofit’s Use of Salesforce. You can access the on-demand version here.
We covered practical ways to overcome common frustrations and unlock Salesforce’s full potential for your nonprofit. Guided by the expertise of Justin Green and Julie Loyd, we explored strategies for simplifying processes, planning for the future, and managing change effectively. This blog brings you the highlights—and resources—to help your team get started.
Moving Beyond “Just Making It Work”
Let’s face it: many nonprofits wrestle with the same Salesforce hurdles—outdated automations, inconsistent data, and systems that just feel clunky. We get it. We’ve been there, and we’ve heard these challenges time and time again. These issues don’t just slow you down—they frustrate your team, derail your outcomes, and ultimately hold your mission back. But imagine this instead:
Your Salesforce system runs seamlessly, fully optimized and aligned with your nonprofit’s mission. It feels tailor-made for your team, automating those time-consuming tasks and delivering the insights you need to make smarter decisions. Your data? Clean, consistent, and actionable, giving you the confidence to make smarter decisions. Updates and new features don’t feel like disruptions—they’re opportunities for growth. And instead of fighting your system, your team is energized, focused, and ready to amplify your mission.
This shift in perspective isn’t just possible —we’re helped others achieve it, and we can help you, too. It's time to move past just “making it work” to creating a system that works for you and your team.
A Fresh Start
Here are some quick and actionable steps you can take to lay the groundwork for a Salesforce environment that works for you.
Turn Chaos into Clarity with Data Governance
Good data is the backbone of any exceptional Salesforce system. While getting started can feel overwhelming, breaking it into manageable steps makes it achievable:
- Create a data governance team that brings together admins, end users, and decision-makers to define what success looks like and document your plan.
- Establish data quality standards so everyone knows what’s expected.
- Address duplicates early. There is native duplicate management functionality built into Salesforce and additional third-party tools like Apsona, and DuplicateCheck that are commonly used among nonprofits.
- Enhance your data further with enrichment tools for address standardization, wealth screening, or donor analysis. Some tools that come to mind here are: Melissa Data, SmartyStreets, WealthEngine, and iWave.
Need some additional guidance? Our free Data Management Strategy Template can guide you through creating a plan tailored to your organization’s needs. Fill it out, and let’s set up a time to walk through it together—we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Let Salesforce Do the Heavy Lifting with Automation
Automation can save time and reduce errors—but only if it’s done thoughtfully. Many nonprofits still rely on outdated tools like Process Builder and Workflow Rules, which Salesforce is sunsetting. Transitioning to Salesforce Flow is the way forward.
- Automate repetitive tasks such as generating tax receipts or logging calls.
- Keep it simple and avoid overcomplicating your automations—focus on processes that improve efficiency first.
- Regularly audit existing workflows to eliminate what’s no longer serving your team.
- Keep an eye out for next-generation functionality like Agentforce and OmniStudio to level up your workflows, harness AI for smarter decision-making, and break down silos between teams.
When automation is intentional and streamlined, it doesn’t just lighten the workload—it empowers your staff to focus on what matters most.
Stay Ahead of the Curve by Planning for the Future
Keeping up with Salesforce can feel overwhelming—three updates a year, each packed with new features, is a lot to manage! But staying informed is key to getting the most from your investment. Here’s how to make it easier:
- Focus on the release notes that matter—filter for nonprofit-specific updates or tools you use, like automation and Nonprofit Cloud.
- Join the Trailblazer Community or local user groups to connect with peers and share solutions. We recommend Salesforce.org Hub and Nonprofit Release Readiness to get started.
- Watch webinars from Salesforce and partners (like us!) for quick, actionable insights.
And if it still feels like too much, we’re here to help. You don’t have to keep up alone.
Make It All Stick with Change Management
No matter how great your system is, change can be hard for your team. That’s why change management and user adoption need to be a priority:
- Train users with short, targeted videos or hands-on workshops to build confidence.
- Use Salesforce’s native case management tools to make it easy for staff to request help when they need it without having to go to another tool for help.
- Create “wow moments” by showcasing how the technology makes their work easier—like reducing clicks, speeding up approvals, or surfacing insights they didn’t know they needed.
When your team feels empowered and supported, they’re more likely to embrace the system—and that’s where real transformation begins.
How We Can Help
At The Fresh Perspective Group, we know that reimagining your Salesforce environment can feel daunting—but you don’t have to do it alone. We’re here to lift the burden, simplify the process, align your technology with your mission, and empower your team every step of the way. We specialize in managed services designed to meet nonprofits where they are, helping to optimize Salesforce systems, train teams, and tackle complex challenges. Whether you need immediate support or long-term strategic guidance, we’re here to make your technology work better for you.
If you are ready to reimagine your Salesforce system then start by accessing the on-demand webinar for more insights, or reach out to us at hello@freshperspectivegroup.com to schedule your free consultation.
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