Nonprofit-Cloud-Consultant Salesforce Certified Nonprofit Cloud Consultant (NPC) NP-Con-102 Questions and Answers

For a large nonprofit organization functioning like a for-profit corporation and needing to manage Leads and track its Opportunity pipeline:

Salesforce Account Model without NPSP: This model is suitable as it aligns with for-profit business processes, focusing on managing business accounts, leads, and opportunities. The Household Account Model in NPSP is more suited for organizations managing individual donors, which is not applicable here.

Using the standard Salesforce Account Model allows the organization to leverage Salesforce’s CRM capabilities tailored for B2B interactions.

To ensure that a subset of users can fully access the government-issued personal identification numbers stored in encrypted fields on Contact records, you must enable the "View Encrypted Data" permission in a permission set. This permission allows users to see the actual encrypted data instead of a masked value.

Steps to Enable:

Create or Edit a Permission Set:

Navigate to Setup -> Permission Sets.

Create a new permission set or edit an existing one.

Enable View Encrypted Data:

In the permission set, go to System Permissions.

Enable the "View Encrypted Data" permission.

Assign Permission Set:

Assign the permission set to the appropriate users who need to access the encrypted data.

To localize the US-focused labels of some NPSP fields for a UK-based nonprofit, such as replacing "Organization" with "Organisation," the consultant should activate English (UK) in Language Settings. Here’s why:

Activate English (UK):

Salesforce supports multiple languages and localizations, including English (UK), which provides localized labels for standard fields and objects.

By activating English (UK), the system will automatically use British English conventions, replacing US-centric terms with UK equivalents.

This is a straightforward and efficient method to localize field labels without the need for custom development or manual label changes.

Salesforce Language Settings Documentation

Salesforce Localization and Translation Guide

When a nonprofit organization is informed of a deceased donor and wants to ensure that the donor no longer appears on any mailing lists, the appropriate action is to select the "Deceased" field on the donor's contact record. Here’s how to do it:

Navigate to the Contact Record:

Go to the Contacts tab in Salesforce.

Search for the donor’s contact record and open it.

Select the Deceased Field:

Locate the "Deceased" checkbox on the contact record.

Check the box to mark the contact as deceased.

Additional Actions:

Ensure that any automated processes or workflows related to email and mailing lists exclude contacts marked as deceased.

Update any relevant lists or segments to remove the deceased donor from future communications.

Implications of Marking a Contact as Deceased:

The contact will no longer be included in email or direct mail campaigns.

The contact record is retained in Salesforce for historical and reporting purposes, preserving donation history and other relevant information.

Salesforce NPSP Documentation: Managing Contact Records

Salesforce Trailhead: Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) Basics

https://powerofus.force.com/s/article/NPSP-Disable-Trigger-Handlers#ariaid-title3

When periodically importing a structured list of event registrations, it is crucial to ensure that the process is efficient and does not trigger unnecessary automation. Disabling TDTM (Table-Driven Trigger Management) for specific users is a recommended approach.

TDTM Overview:

TDTM allows for managing and controlling the execution of triggers in NPSP.

It provides flexibility to disable specific triggers or exclude certain users from trigger execution during bulk data imports.

Disabling TDTM for Specific Users:

By disabling TDTM for specific users, the import process can be streamlined without triggering unnecessary automation.

This approach ensures that data imports are efficient and reduces the risk of hitting system limits or performance issues.

Steps to Implement:

Navigate to NPSP Settings -> System Tools -> TDTM.

Add the usernames of the users who will be performing the imports to the "Usernames to Exclude" field.

Save the changes to ensure that TDTM triggers are disabled for these users during the import process.

Benefits:

Efficiency: Reduces the load on the system during bulk imports, ensuring faster and more reliable data processing.

Control: Maintains control over which triggers are executed, preventing unintended automation from affecting the imported data.

Additional Considerations:

Ensure that other necessary validations and processes are manually checked or re-enabled after the import if needed.

Monitor the data import process to ensure that it completes successfully without triggering unnecessary automation.

For a large nonprofit that functions like a for-profit corporation and tracks funding exclusively from corporations, the Standard Account Model without NPSP is the most suitable choice. This model allows the nonprofit to manage Leads and track its Opportunity pipeline effectively, focusing on corporate accounts.

Benefits of the Standard Account Model:

Simplicity: The Standard Account Model is straightforward and designed for organizations that do not need the additional features provided by NPSP.

Corporate Focus: It is well-suited for managing corporate accounts and opportunities without the additional complexities of individual or household account models.

Steps to Implement:

Set Up Standard Account Model:

Use the default Salesforce setup for Accounts, Contacts, Leads, and Opportunities.

Customize as Needed:

Customize the standard objects and fields to align with the nonprofit’s specific requirements for tracking corporate funding.

To allow prospective volunteers to fill out their volunteer application online:

Set up the Volunteers for Salesforce Volunteer Signup Form: This form can be embedded on the nonprofit's website, allowing prospective volunteers to submit their information directly into Salesforce.

This approach leverages the existing Volunteers for Salesforce functionality, making it easy to capture and manage volunteer applications.

Salesforce Flows are ideal for guiding users through step-by-step processes, making them a perfect solution for triaging patients. By creating a flow, the nonprofit can ensure volunteers follow a consistent process, capture accurate data, and make immediate service decisions. Here’s how to set this up:

Design the Flow:

Open Flow Builder from Setup.

Create a new Screen Flow.

Add Screens and Inputs:

Add screens with input fields for the qualifying questions.

Use Decision elements to branch the flow based on the answers provided.

Capture Data:

Use Assignment elements to store input data in variables.

Save data to Salesforce records as needed (e.g., Case or Custom Object records).

Generate Decision Outcomes:

Based on the data captured, use Decision elements to determine eligibility.

Display the outcome on a final screen or update a record with the decision.

Test and Deploy:

Test the flow thoroughly in Sandbox.

Deploy the flow to production and embed it in the relevant Lightning pages.

"Create a Simple Flow" from Salesforce Help: Create a Flow

"Guided Processes for Nonprofits" from Salesforce.org: Salesforce Flow for Nonprofits

To streamline the import of donations made by nonprofit volunteers using NPSP Data Import features, the following steps are recommended:

Create a Batch and Map Opportunity Primary Contact on First and Last Name:

When creating a data import batch, you can map the Opportunity Primary Contact based on the First and Last Name. This ensures that the donation is linked to the correct contact in Salesforce.

Create a Batch and Match Contact on First and Last Name:

During the import process, create a batch and use the matching criteria based on the Contact's First and Last Name. This helps in accurately matching the donations to the existing contacts in Salesforce, reducing duplicate records and maintaining data integrity.

Steps to Implement:

Navigate to NPSP Data Import.

Create a new Batch.

Map the fields appropriately, ensuring the Opportunity Primary Contact and Contact matching criteria are based on First and Last Name.

Validate the mapping and run the batch to import the donation data.

These features help automate and streamline the data import process, ensuring accurate and efficient data management.

To ensure that the Donor Advised Fund (DAF) receives credit for donations, using Account Soft Credits is the best approach. Here’s how to set this up:

Navigate to NPSP Settings:

Go to Setup.

In the Quick Find box, type "NPSP Settings" and select it.

Configure Soft Credits:

In NPSP Settings, navigate to "Donations" -> "Soft Credits".

Ensure that soft credits are enabled for Accounts and Contacts.

Add Soft Credits on Opportunities:

When entering a donation, go to the Opportunity record.

Add a new soft credit for the DAF by selecting the appropriate Account (the financial institution housing the DAF).

Specify the role as "Donor Advised Fund" or similar.

Track and Report:

Use Opportunity reports to track soft credits and generate reports showing the contributions attributed to the DAF.

Using soft credits allows the organization to properly credit the DAF for donations without altering the primary donor records.

"Managing Soft Credits in NPSP" from Salesforce Help: Soft Credits

"Tracking Donor-Advised Funds" from Salesforce.org: Donor-Advised Funds

When using the NPSP Data Importer to upload data that contains payments on existing opportunities, and matching donations to existing records, the following updates may occur:

A Payment Will Be Added to the Opportunity:

When a gift is successfully matched to an existing Opportunity, a Payment record is created and associated with the Opportunity.

This reflects the new donation and updates the financial records accordingly.

The Opportunity Amount Will Include the New Payment Amount:

The total amount on the Opportunity will be updated to reflect the sum of the original amount and the new payment amount.

This ensures that the Opportunity accurately represents the total donations received.

These updates help maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records within Salesforce, reflecting all contributions accurately.

Salesforce NPSP Documentation: NPSP Data Importer

Salesforce Trailhead: Manage Donations with NPSP

When receiving a System.DmlException notification, the detailed information about the error can be found in the Error Log.

Error Log Overview:

The Error Log captures detailed information about system errors, including DML exceptions.

It provides insights into what caused the error and helps in troubleshooting.

Accessing the Error Log:

Navigate to Setup in Salesforce.

Search for "Apex Jobs" or "Apex Exceptions" in the Quick Find box.

Review the entries to find the relevant System.DmlException details.

Using the Error Log for Troubleshooting:

Identify the Cause: The log provides specific error messages and stack traces that help identify the root cause of the issue.

Corrective Actions: Based on the error details, take corrective actions such as fixing data issues, adjusting code, or updating configurations.

Benefits of Using the Error Log:

Detailed Information: Offers comprehensive details about the error, making it easier to diagnose and resolve.

Efficiency: Reduces time spent on identifying and fixing issues by providing precise error information.

For a nonprofit offering courses that grant teachers credit toward maintaining their teaching certification, the Program Management Module (PMM) is the best solution to track course completions and credits awarded. PMM allows the nonprofit to manage program enrollments, track progress, and report on outcomes effectively.

Steps:

Set up the Program Management Module to include the specific courses offered and the credits awarded for each course.

Create Program Engagement records for each teacher enrolling in the annual cohort, linking them to the relevant course modules.

Track the completion of course modules and update the credits awarded to each teacher within their Program Engagement records.

Use custom reports and dashboards to monitor progress, track completions, and generate reports on credits awarded to teachers.

In the NPSP Data Import Template, the Account fields should contain:

Household-related data:

This data includes information pertinent to the household of the contacts, such as household name and address. Household-related data is crucial for managing and segmenting contacts within the NPSP.

Using Case Hierarchy is the best way to relate Cases for the same client to each other in Salesforce. This allows the organization to see the connection between various Cases and manage them effectively. Here’s how to set it up:

Enable Case Hierarchy:

Ensure that the Case Hierarchy feature is enabled in your Salesforce org. This is typically enabled by default.

Create Parent and Child Cases:

When creating or editing a Case, you can specify a parent Case using the "Parent Case" lookup field.

For each new Case related to the same client, select the main Case as the parent.

View Case Hierarchy:

On the Case record page, click on "View Hierarchy" to see all related Cases in a hierarchical view.

This allows you to easily track and manage all Cases related to a specific client.

By using Case Hierarchy, you can maintain a clear structure of all Cases related to a client and ensure they are appropriately connected and managed.

"Case Hierarchies" from Salesforce Help: Case Hierarchies

"Managing Cases in NPSP" from Salesforce.org: Case Management

Changes to Engagement Plan Templates in Salesforce only affect newly created Engagement Plans. Here’s why:

Template Changes Application:

When an Engagement Plan Template is modified, the changes are not retroactively applied to existing Engagement Plans. Only new plans created after the modification will reflect the changes.

Create New Engagement Plans:

For the development manager to see the changes, new Engagement Plans need to be created using the updated template. Existing plans will retain the configuration they had at the time of creation.

Communicate Changes:

Inform relevant stakeholders about this behavior to manage expectations and plan accordingly. Consider cloning existing Engagement Plans if updates are necessary, applying the new template configurations.

Review Documentation:

Refer to Salesforce documentation on Engagement Plans for detailed information on how templates and plan instances work.

Enabling State and Country Picklists in Salesforce can improve data consistency and accuracy for address fields. However, there are specific considerations when using them with NPSP:

NPSP Data Import Object Doesn't Support State and Country Abbreviations in Picklist Form:

The NPSP Data Import object does not natively support state and country abbreviations in picklist form. This means that data imports using this object will require additional handling to map state and country values correctly.

Predefined State and Country Abbreviations on Address Records Must Be Used:

When using State and Country Picklists, predefined state and country abbreviations must be used. This ensures consistency and compatibility with Salesforce’s standard address fields.

If your current data uses different formats (e.g., full names or alternative abbreviations), you will need to standardize these before importing or entering data.

Consideration for Existing Data:

If enabling State and Country Picklists for the first time, review and clean existing data to match the picklist values.

Use data tools to update existing records with the correct state and country abbreviations to ensure smooth transition and consistency.

By understanding these considerations and preparing your data accordingly, you can successfully implement State and Country Picklists in NPSP.

"State and Country/Territory Picklists Overview" from Salesforce Help: State and Country Picklists

"Managing Addresses in NPSP" from Salesforce Help: NPSP Address Management

To present active volunteer sites on a map that should be visible without logging in, the nonprofit can use Tableau Public. Here’s why:

Tableau Public:

Tableau Public is a free platform that allows users to create and share interactive data visualizations online.

It supports publishing maps and other visualizations that can be accessed publicly without requiring login credentials.

This tool is ideal for sharing information like volunteer site locations with a broad audience.

Tableau Public Documentation

Salesforce and Tableau Integration Guide

To ensure that all child Opportunities contain the unique reference number from the Recurring Donation object and to prevent modifications after creation, follow these steps:

Create a Custom Text Field on the Opportunity Object:

Navigate to Setup.

In the Object Manager, select Opportunity.

Click on Fields & Relationships.

Create a new Text field (e.g., "Recurring Donation Reference Number").

Use NPSP Recurring Donation Custom Field Mappings:

Navigate to NPSP Settings.

Under "Donations", select "Recurring Donations".

Go to "Field Mappings".

Map the custom text field on the Recurring Donation object to the custom text field on the Opportunity object.

Ensure Field-Level Security:

Set the field-level security for the custom fields to ensure that they are only editable by the required profiles and read-only for others.

By following these steps, the unique reference number will be automatically populated and synchronized from the Recurring Donation object to all child Opportunities, and it will remain consistent for reconciliation purposes.

Salesforce NPSP Documentation: Custom Field Mapping

Salesforce Trailhead: Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) Settings

Establishing a Center of Excellence (CoE) addresses the governance function of the application development lifecycle. A CoE provides leadership, best practices, and oversight to ensure consistent and effective use of Salesforce across the organization:

Governance: Ensures that there are clear policies, standards, and guidelines for managing and using Salesforce.

Best Practices: The CoE promotes best practices for development, deployment, and ongoing management of Salesforce applications.

By focusing on governance, a CoE helps maintain the integrity, quality, and strategic alignment of Salesforce initiatives within the nonprofit.

To ensure that case managers gather all required information when qualifying new beneficiaries, Salesforce Flow is the most effective automation tool:

Create a Flow:

In Salesforce Setup, navigate to "Flow Builder" and create a new Flow.

Choose a "Screen Flow" to guide users through the data entry process.

Design the Flow:

Add screens to the Flow that contain fields for all the required information. Use validation rules to ensure required fields are completed before proceeding to the next screen.

Use logic elements like decisions and assignments to handle conditional data collection based on previous inputs.

Deploy the Flow:

Embed the Flow on the Lightning Record Page for case managers to use when qualifying new beneficiaries.

Ensure the Flow is easily accessible and part of the standard workflow for case managers.

Training and Support:

Provide training for case managers on how to use the Flow.

Monitor usage and collect feedback to make any necessary adjustments.

Salesforce Flow provides a guided, interactive way to ensure all required information is collected consistently.

A runtime error during a Customizable Rollup operation often occurs if the target field has an active validation rule that prevents the update. Validation rules enforce specific criteria that records must meet before they can be saved, and if these criteria are not met during the rollup operation, an error will occur.

Steps to Troubleshoot:

Review Validation Rules:

Navigate to Setup -> Object Manager -> [Target Object] -> Validation Rules.

Review the validation rules on the target object to identify any that might conflict with the rollup operation.

Modify or Temporarily Disable Validation Rules:

If a validation rule is causing the error, consider modifying the rule to accommodate the rollup operation or temporarily disabling it during the data update process.

Check Rollup Configuration:

Ensure the Customizable Rollup settings are correctly configured and that no unnecessary constraints are in place.

For a nonprofit organization needing an email marketing tool to measure email engagement and evaluate prospective supporters:

Pardot Grading: This measures how well a prospect fits the ideal customer profile based on criteria such as job title, industry, and location.

Pardot Scoring: This tracks a prospect’s engagement with marketing materials, assigning points based on interactions such as email opens, clicks, and form submissions.

Combining Pardot Grading and Scoring provides a comprehensive view of both the quality and engagement level of prospective supporters.

Salesforce recommends using V2MOM (Vision, Values, Methods, Obstacles, and Measures) with customers in the requirements-gathering phase of a project to achieve organizational alignment. Here’s how V2MOM helps:

Vision:

Define what you want to achieve. This provides a clear direction for the project.

Values:

Identify what is important about the vision and why it matters. This aligns the project goals with the organization's core values.

Methods:

Outline the steps to achieve the vision. This ensures everyone understands the approach and processes to be followed.

Obstacles:

Recognize potential challenges and how to address them. This prepares the team to handle issues proactively.

Measures:

Determine how success will be measured. This provides clear criteria for evaluating progress and outcomes.

Using V2MOM ensures that all stakeholders are aligned with the project’s goals, values, methods, challenges, and success metrics, fostering a unified approach to project execution.

Salesforce V2MOM Framework: Marc Benioff’s V2MOM

Salesforce Trailhead: Define Your Vision with V2MOM

For managing social media presence, listening to constituents, measuring impact, and managing activities from a mobile app, Salesforce's Social Studio is the recommended tool.

Social Studio Overview:

Social Studio is a powerful social media management tool within Salesforce.

It provides capabilities for social listening, publishing, engagement, and analytics across multiple social media platforms.

Features and Capabilities:

Social Listening:

Monitor social media channels for mentions, comments, and conversations about the organization.

Identify trends and sentiment to understand constituent engagement and feedback.

Publishing:

Schedule and publish content across multiple social media platforms.

Manage social media campaigns and track their performance.

Engagement:

Interact with constituents directly from the platform.

Manage responses and engage with the audience in real-time.

Analytics:

Measure the impact of social media activities.

Use dashboards and reports to gain insights into engagement, reach, and sentiment.

Mobile App Management:

Social Studio includes a mobile app that allows users to manage social media activities on the go.

This ensures that social media management is not limited to the desktop and can be handled efficiently from anywhere.

Implementation:

Set up Social Studio within the Salesforce environment.

Configure social media accounts and start tracking and managing social media activities.

When implementing a Salesforce marketing automation solution, it is crucial to understand the nonprofit’s overall marketing objectives and strategy first. This foundational question will guide the consultant in aligning the marketing automation tools with the nonprofit's goals and ensuring the solution supports their broader mission. Knowing the marketing objectives and strategy will also help in tailoring the solution to effectively target the right audience, measure success, and adjust tactics as needed.

Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud Consultant Study Guide

Marketing Cloud Implementation Guide

To locate NPSP release information, two key places are:

Power of Us Hub: This is a community for Salesforce.org customers, where they can access release notes, documentation, and discussions about NPSP updates.

GitHub Cumulus Releases: This repository contains detailed release information, including new features, bug fixes, and enhancements for NPSP.

These sources provide comprehensive and up-to-date information on NPSP releases.

Salesforce.org major releases are typically scheduled to follow Salesforce.com releases by about one month. This staggered release schedule allows nonprofits to prepare for updates and ensures that they can address any potential conflicts with their internal release schedules. The Salesforce.org release schedule is available on the SFDO Major Release Announcements group, which provides detailed information on upcoming releases and related resources.

Steps:

Inform the system admin that Salesforce.org releases follow Salesforce.com releases by approximately one month.

Direct the system admin to the SFDO Major Release Announcements group for the latest release schedule information.

Encourage the admin to plan internal releases accordingly to avoid conflicts with major Salesforce updates.

Stay informed about upcoming releases and leverage available resources to ensure smooth transitions.

Governance is critical in a Salesforce implementation project for several reasons:

Cost Savings:

Effective governance helps prevent costly mistakes and rework by ensuring that all project activities align with the overall objectives and best practices.

It also ensures efficient resource utilization and minimizes waste.

Security:

Governance frameworks include policies and procedures to safeguard data and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

It ensures that proper security measures are in place to protect sensitive information, which is crucial for nonprofit organizations.

Delivery Speed:

With governance, there are clear roles, responsibilities, and processes which streamline decision-making and reduce delays.

It enables quicker resolution of issues and ensures that the project stays on track, leading to faster delivery.

Steps to Emphasize Governance:

Establish a governance committee that includes key stakeholders.

Define clear governance policies and procedures.

Regularly review and adjust the governance framework as needed to ensure continuous alignment with project goals.

By emphasizing these points, the consultant can highlight the importance of governance in ensuring the success of the Salesforce implementation.

To protect data and secure login credentials for external systems, the consultant should recommend using Named Credentials. Named Credentials simplify the management of authentication for external systems by storing login credentials securely within Salesforce. This approach reduces the risk of exposed credentials and ensures that data remains protected even if an employee is terminated.

Steps:

Configure Named Credentials in Salesforce for each external system.

Store the authentication details securely within Salesforce.

Use Named Credentials in Apex code and integrations to access external systems.

Regularly review and update Named Credentials as needed to maintain security.

When encountering an issue while configuring Nonprofit Cloud Case Management, the consultant should first check Salesforce Help to see if it is a documented issue. Salesforce Help provides extensive documentation, release notes, and known issues, making it a reliable source for troubleshooting.

Steps to Check:

Salesforce Help:

Navigate to Salesforce Help & Training.

Search for the specific issue or error message.

Review any available documentation, known issues, and suggested resolutions.

Additional Resources:

If the issue is not documented in Salesforce Help, the consultant can also check the Trailblazer Community for discussions and solutions provided by other users.

When the consultant encounters API call limit errors after switching the integration from a sandbox to a production environment, the likely explanation is:

Different API Call Limits for Sandbox and Production Environments:

Salesforce environments have different API call limits based on the type of environment and the organization's Salesforce edition. Sandbox environments often have higher API call limits for testing purposes, while production environments have stricter limits to ensure performance and reliability.

To ensure that the status for a Campaign Member on a fundraising campaign is automatically updated when a donation is received from that Contact, the Automatic Campaign Member Management feature in NPSP can be used. Here’s how to enable and configure it:

Navigate to NPSP Settings:

Go to Setup.

In the Quick Find box, type "NPSP Settings" and select it.

Enable Automatic Campaign Member Management:

In the NPSP Settings, navigate to "Donations".

Find the "Automatic Campaign Member Management" section.

Enable this feature by checking the corresponding box.

Configure the Settings:

Define the criteria for when and how Campaign Member statuses should be updated. For example, you can specify that the status should change to "Responded" when a donation is received.

Save Settings:

Save the changes to activate the automatic updates.

This setup ensures that Campaign Member statuses are updated automatically based on the criteria defined, reducing manual effort and improving accuracy.

"Automatic Campaign Member Management" from Salesforce Help: Automatic Campaign Member Management

"NPSP Settings Overview" from Salesforce.org: NPSP Settings

To track website visitors who download white papers, case studies, and impact reports, and subsequently pursue them as constituents, Pardot is the recommended solution. Pardot provides robust marketing automation features that can effectively manage and nurture leads. Here’s how to set it up:

Install Pardot:

Purchase Pardot and install it in your Salesforce org.

Configure Pardot Tracking:

Add Pardot tracking code to your website.

This code will track visitor behavior, including downloads of white papers, case studies, and impact reports.

Create Pardot Forms and Landing Pages:

Use Pardot to create forms and landing pages for visitors to fill out before they can download the assets.

These forms will capture visitor information and automatically create a prospect in Pardot.

Set Up Automation Rules:

Create automation rules in Pardot to add prospects to specific lists based on their behavior.

For example, create a rule to add a prospect to a "White Paper Download" list if they download a white paper.

Sync Pardot with Salesforce:

Ensure that Pardot is integrated with Salesforce to sync prospects as leads or contacts.

Use Salesforce campaigns to track these leads and monitor their progress.

Nurture Leads:

Use Pardot’s email marketing and nurturing capabilities to engage with these leads.

Track their interactions and score them based on their engagement to prioritize follow-ups.

By using Pardot, the nonprofit can efficiently track and engage website visitors, converting them into valuable constituents.

Salesforce Pardot Documentation: Pardot Tracking Code

Salesforce Trailhead: Marketing Automation with Pardot

For maintaining an audit trail of metadata changes over time and developing, testing, and releasing projects independently, the recommended development model is:

Package Development: This model supports modular development, allowing developers to create, test, and deploy packages independently. It provides version control and a clear audit trail of changes, ensuring that metadata changes are tracked and managed efficiently.

Independent Projects: Package development allows multiple projects to be developed in parallel without interference, making it ideal for complex environments with multiple ongoing initiatives.

Package development provides the structure and control needed for managing metadata and development processes effectively.

To track grants, scholarships, and training programs in Salesforce for a nonprofit, you should use a combination of the Program Management Module (PMM), Outbound Funds Module (OFM), and Education Data Architecture (EDA). Here's how to set it up:

Track Grants with PMM:

Use the Program Management Module to manage the grants your nonprofit receives.

Create Program records for each grant and link them to the related donor accounts.

Track details such as grant amount, application status, and reporting requirements using custom fields or standard fields in PMM.

Track Scholarships with OFM:

Install and configure the Outbound Funds Module to manage scholarships.

Create Funding Programs for different types of scholarships.

Use the Funding Requests object to track individual scholarship applications and awards, linking them to the recipients (Contacts).

Track Training Programs with EDA:

Implement the Education Data Architecture to manage training programs.

Create Program records for each training program.

Use the Course Connections object to link participants (Contacts) to the training programs and track their progress.

Integrate and Report:

Use Salesforce's reporting tools to create integrated reports across these modules.

For example, you can create a report that shows the total grants received, scholarships awarded, and participants enrolled in training programs.

Salesforce Program Management Module Documentation: PMM Documentation.

Salesforce Outbound Funds Module Documentation: OFM Documentation.

Salesforce Education Data Architecture Documentation: EDA Documentation.

For a nonprofit using direct mail extensively and needing to automate the search for duplicate contact records, the consultant should recommend implementing Duplicate Jobs. Here’s why:

Duplicate Jobs:

Duplicate Jobs allow organizations to run deduplication processes on a schedule, ensuring that the data remains clean and free from duplicates.

This feature can be configured to find and merge duplicate contacts based on predefined matching rules.

It helps maintain data quality by regularly identifying and managing duplicate records, which is essential for effective direct mail campaigns.

Salesforce Duplicate Management Documentation

Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack Duplicate Management Guide

The Program Management Module (PMM) in Salesforce is designed to help nonprofits manage their programs and services, including tracking participation in courses and training. PMM provides the necessary tools and features to capture and report on the various activities and outcomes associated with the programs run by the nonprofit.

Key Features:

Service Delivery Tracking: PMM allows for detailed tracking of services provided, including courses and training sessions.

Customizable Program Management: Nonprofits can configure PMM to meet their specific needs for managing programs and tracking participant engagement.

Steps to Implement PMM:

Install PMM:

Go to the Salesforce AppExchange and install the Program Management Module.

Set Up Programs and Services:

Define programs and related services within PMM to reflect the courses and training offerings.

Track Participation:

Use the PMM features to log and manage participant data, track attendance, and monitor outcomes.

https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/content/learn/modules/campaign-management-with-nonprofit-success-pack/manage-campaign-responses

To track that a donor responded to the most recent direct mail campaign, the consultant should configure the Automatic Campaign Member Management feature. This feature in NPSP helps automatically manage Campaign Memberships based on related opportunities, streamlining the process of tracking campaign responses.

Steps to Configure:

Enable Automatic Campaign Member Management:

Navigate to NPSP Settings -> Donations -> Campaigns.

Enable Automatic Campaign Member Management.

Link Opportunities to Campaigns:

Ensure that when entering donations, the related Opportunity records are linked to the appropriate Campaigns.

This linkage will automatically update the Campaign Member records to reflect the donor’s response to the campaign.

Verify Campaign Membership:

Check the Campaign Member records to ensure that the donors are correctly marked as having responded to the campaign based on the linked Opportunities.

https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/content/learn/modules/opportunity-settings-in-nonprofit-success-pack/set-up-soft-credits-npsp

https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/content/learn/modules/donation-soft-credit-management-with-nonprofit-success-pack/create-and-manage-soft-credits

To ensure that the person being honored by a tribute gift consistently receives the proper soft credit, the nonprofit should set up Automatic Opportunity Contact Roles in NPSP and configure the Honoree role. This automation ensures that the honoree is always credited appropriately without manual intervention.

Steps:

Navigate to NPSP Settings > Donations > Automatic Opportunity Contact Roles.

Add a new Contact Role with the role type "Honoree."

Set the role to be automatically assigned to Opportunities that meet the criteria for tribute gifts.

Test the configuration by creating a new tribute gift and verifying that the Honoree Contact Role is correctly assigned.

Train staff on how to use the new setup to ensure consistency in data entry.

To add donors to a Campaign from an Opportunities report, the report must include Contact records. The correct approach is to create a report type that includes Contacts, such as the Opportunities with Contact Roles report type.

Creating the Report:

Navigate to the Reports tab and click "New Report."

Select the "Opportunities with Contact Roles" report type. This report type includes both Opportunity and Contact records.

Configuring the Report:

Add the necessary filters to include the desired Opportunities and their related Contacts.

Customize the report to display relevant fields, such as Contact Name and Opportunity Amount.

Adding to Campaign:

Once the report is configured and run, select the Contacts you want to add to the Campaign.

Use the "Add to Campaign" button available in the report to add these Contacts as Campaign Members.

Benefits of This Approach:

Ensures that the Campaign Members are correctly linked to the Opportunity records.

Streamlines the process of managing Campaigns and associated donor information.

Additional Steps:

Ensure that the "Add to Campaign" button is enabled for the report type in Setup if it is not already visible.

When a consultant is about to begin a data project with a nonprofit to clean up Opportunity data and needs to temporarily disable NPSP Triggers for performance reasons, it is typically necessary when uploading a large volume of records, such as 1 million new Contact records.

Steps:

Log in to Salesforce: Access the Salesforce org with NPSP installed.

Navigate to NPSP Settings: Go to the App Launcher, search for "NPSP Settings", and select it.

Disable Triggers:

In the NPSP Settings, expand "Bulk Data Processes" and then "TDTM".

Find the specific triggers related to the data being uploaded.

Disable the relevant triggers by unchecking the "Active" checkbox.

Save the changes.

Perform Data Upload:

Use a data loader or similar tool to upload the 1 million Contact records.

Ensure data integrity and verify successful upload.

Re-enable Triggers:

After the data upload is complete, go back to the NPSP Settings.

Re-enable the previously disabled triggers by checking the "Active" checkbox.

Save the changes.

Verify and Test: Confirm that the triggers are working correctly and that the data has been uploaded properly.

Install NPSP:

Ensure that NPSP is installed in your Salesforce instance. You can download it from the AppExchange or install it directly from the NPSP Installer page​​.

Configure Acknowledgement Settings:

Navigate to NPSP Settings.

Under “Donations,” find the “Acknowledgements” settings.

Configure the settings to define when and how acknowledgements should be sent.

Set Up Email Templates:

Go to Setup > Classic Email Templates.

Create a new email template or modify an existing one to suit your acknowledgment needs.

Ensure the template includes merge fields to personalize the emails with donor information.

Create Automation with Process Builder:

Use Process Builder to automate the sending of acknowledgment emails.

Create a new process on the Opportunity object.

Set criteria to trigger the process when a new donation is recorded.

Add an action to send an email using the previously created template.

Testing:

Test the process by creating a test donation record and verifying that the acknowledgment email is sent automatically.

Monitoring and Refinement:

Monitor the process to ensure it is working correctly.

Refine the email templates and automation rules based on feedback and evolving needs.

By utilizing the NPSP, nonprofits can streamline their donation acknowledgment process, ensuring timely and personalized communications with donors, ultimately enhancing donor satisfaction and retention.

https://powerofus.force.com/s/article/NPSP-Which-Version-Am-I-Using

When a consultant is unsure when a particular field was added to NPSP, they can find the NPSP version number for the field in the NPSP Data Dictionary. Here’s why:

NPSP Data Dictionary:

The NPSP Data Dictionary provides comprehensive details about all fields, objects, and components within the NPSP package.

It includes information on when fields were introduced, their data types, descriptions, and related objects, making it the best resource for tracking the history of specific fields.

Salesforce NPSP Data Dictionary Documentation

Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack Release Notes

To track specific funds associated with gifts from individuals and organizations in NPSP, the consultant should create General Accounting Unit (GAU) records for each of the funds and associate them with the Opportunity by GAU Allocation record amounts.

Steps:

Log in to Salesforce: Access the Salesforce org with NPSP installed.

Create GAU Records:

Navigate to the App Launcher and search for "General Accounting Units".

Click "New" to create a new GAU record for each fund.

Fill in the necessary details such as GAU Name, Description, and any other relevant information.

Save the GAU records.

Associate GAUs with Opportunities:

Navigate to the Opportunity related to the donation.

In the Opportunity record, find the "GAU Allocations" related list.

Click "New" to create a new GAU Allocation.

Select the appropriate GAU record from the lookup field.

Enter the allocation amount and any other necessary details.

Save the GAU Allocation record.

Reporting: Use standard or custom reports to track and report on GAU Allocations for reconciliation with the finance system.

To reduce manual data entry and improve efficiency when entering donation data into both Salesforce and an external accounting system, the consultant should recommend using the Accounting Subledger:

Accounting Subledger:

The Accounting Subledger in NPSP provides a way to sync financial data between Salesforce and external accounting systems.

It ensures that donation data entered in Salesforce is automatically available for reconciliation and reporting in the accounting system.

Setting Up Accounting Subledger:

Install and configure the Accounting Subledger from the AppExchange.

Define the mapping between Salesforce donation records and the corresponding records in the accounting system.

Set up integration rules to automatically sync data based on predefined triggers and schedules.

Benefits:

Reduces manual data entry by automating the transfer of donation data.

Ensures data consistency and accuracy across systems.

Provides real-time visibility into financial data for better decision-making.

By using the Accounting Subledger, the nonprofit can streamline its data entry processes and improve overall efficiency.

To predict the likelihood of a contact becoming a recurring donor, the consultant should implement Einstein for Nonprofits. Here's how:

Enable Einstein for Nonprofits:

Ensure that Einstein Analytics and Discovery are enabled in the Salesforce org.

Navigate to the Einstein for Nonprofits setup and configure the necessary settings.

Configure Prediction Models:

Use Einstein Prediction Builder to create a custom prediction model.

Define the criteria and data points that indicate a high likelihood of recurring donations, such as past donation behavior, engagement levels, and demographic information.

Train and Deploy the Model:

Train the prediction model using historical data.

Deploy the model to start predicting which contacts are likely to become recurring donors.

Utilize Predictions in Fundraising Strategies:

Fundraisers can use the predictions to prioritize outreach and engagement efforts.

Customize communication and engagement plans for high-potential recurring donors.

Einstein for Nonprofits leverages AI and machine learning to provide insights and predictive analytics, helping nonprofits make data-driven decisions to enhance donor engagement and fundraising efforts.

Salesforce Einstein for Nonprofits: Einstein for Nonprofits.

Salesforce Einstein Prediction Builder Guide: Prediction Builder.

To allow staff to use other applications without leaving Salesforce, implementing Salesforce Canvas is the recommended solution:

Salesforce Canvas:

Salesforce Canvas allows you to embed external applications directly within Salesforce

Integrating an external event management system with Salesforce can be efficiently achieved using a middleware tool. Middleware tools are designed to facilitate communication and data transfer between different systems, automating processes and ensuring data consistency.

Middleware Tools:

Middleware tools like Mulesoft, Dell Boomi, or Jitterbit are commonly used to integrate Salesforce with external systems.

They offer robust functionalities for data transformation, real-time integration, and scheduled data synchronization.

Integration Process:

Data Mapping: Define how data fields in the event management system correspond to Salesforce fields.

API Connectivity: Set up API connections between the event management system and Salesforce using the middleware tool.

Automation: Schedule daily data transfers to automatically send event and attendee data to Salesforce, creating Campaigns and Campaign Members.

Advantages:

Real-time Data Transfer: Ensure that data is updated in real-time or at scheduled intervals without manual intervention.

Data Consistency: Middleware tools help maintain data consistency and integrity across systems.

Scalability: Easily handle large volumes of data and complex integration requirements.

Implementation Steps:

Choose a middleware tool based on the organization's requirements and budget.

Configure the tool to connect to the event management system and Salesforce.

Map the data fields and set up the necessary transformations.

Test the integration thoroughly before going live.

To track various funds and report on restricted donations, General Accounting Units (GAUs) in NPSP should be used. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Set Up General Accounting Units (GAUs):

Navigate to the App Launcher and search for "General Accounting Units".

Create GAUs:

Create new GAU records for each fund you need to track.

Provide names and descriptions that clearly identify each fund.

Link GAUs to Donations:

When creating or updating an Opportunity (donation), scroll to the GAU Allocations section.

Allocate the donation amount to the relevant GAU(s). This ensures that each donation is correctly attributed to the specific fund.

Run Reports on GAU Allocations:

Create reports that include GAU Allocation data to see how funds are being utilized and to ensure that restricted donations are tracked correctly.

Automate Allocations (Optional):

Use NPSP settings to define default GAU allocations for specific types of donations to automate this process.

By using GAUs, the nonprofit can effectively manage and report on restricted funds, ensuring compliance and transparency.

Salesforce NPSP Documentation: General Accounting Units (GAUs)

Salesforce Trailhead: Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) Overview

https://powerofus.force.com/s/article/SFDO-BP-Pardot-Basics-for-Nonprofit-and-Education

The "Send List Email" feature in Salesforce is ideal for sending emails to multiple contacts directly from Salesforce without needing a separate email service provider. It also allows managing bounces, resending emails, and tracking email history on Contact records.

Send List Email Overview:

This feature enables users to send emails to a list of contacts, leads, or campaign members directly from Salesforce.

It supports email templates and provides tracking capabilities.

Steps to Use Send List Email:

Step 1: Navigate to the Contacts or Leads tab.

Step 2: Create a list view that includes the contacts you want to email.

Step 3: Select the "Send List Email" button.

Step 4: Choose an email template, compose the email, and send it.

Managing Bounces and Send History:

Bounces: Salesforce tracks email bounces, and you can view bounce details on the individual contact records.

Send History: The history of sent emails, including opens and clicks, is tracked and visible on the Contact records.

Benefits:

Integrated Solution: No need for external email service providers.

Efficiency: Quickly send emails to multiple recipients and manage communications directly within Salesforce.

Tracking: Monitor email performance and follow up as needed.

To handle frequent imports of membership renewal and donation data, where each import needs a different configuration to update existing Contacts and create Opportunities, the NPSP Data Importer should be recommended:

NPSP Data Importer:

The NPSP Data Importer is specifically designed for nonprofits and supports complex data import needs, including updating existing records and creating new ones.

It allows you to map fields from your import file to Salesforce fields, ensuring data is correctly placed.

Set Up the Import:

Prepare your data in a CSV format.

Go to the NPSP Data Importer app in Salesforce.

Create separate templates for membership renewals and donations to handle different configurations.

Map Fields:

Use the mapping feature to map fields from your import file to the corresponding Salesforce fields.

Ensure that you map fields for Contacts, Opportunities, and any custom fields needed for memberships and donations.

Run the Import:

Upload your data file and run the import process.

Monitor the import progress and check for any errors or discrepancies.

Verify Data:

After the import is complete, verify that the data has been correctly updated and new records have been created as expected.

Check the updated Contacts and newly created Opportunities to ensure data integrity.

To record the most recent Opportunity close date on Contact records and ensure the field is overwritten every time a new Opportunity meets the criteria, use NPSP Customizable Rollups:

NPSP Customizable Rollups: This feature allows users to define rollup fields that aggregate data from related objects (e.g., Opportunities) to a parent object (e.g., Contacts).

Most Recent Opportunity Close Date: Configure a rollup summary to track the most recent close date. This ensures the field on the Contact record is updated whenever a new Opportunity with a qualifying close date is added.

Using NPSP Customizable Rollups ensures the process is automated and tailored to nonprofit needs.

https://powerofus.force.com/s/article/ASL-Automate-Stage-to-State-Mappings

To export detailed accounting transactions, including pledges, to an external financial system using Accounting Subledger, the consultant should set the "Pledged" stage to "Committed" in Stage to State Mapping. Here’s why:

Stage to State Mapping:

In Accounting Subledger, the Stage to State Mapping feature allows you to map Opportunity stages to accounting states.

By setting the "Pledged" stage to "Committed," you ensure that all pledges are recognized and exported as committed transactions in the accounting system.

This setting helps in accurately reflecting the financial commitments of the nonprofit organization.

Salesforce documentation on Accounting Subledger: Accounting Subledger

Before installing Nonprofit Cloud Case Management into its production org, a nonprofit should consider the following prerequisites:

Enable My Domain:

My Domain is required for many Salesforce features, including those in Nonprofit Cloud Case Management.

Enabling My Domain allows customization of the Salesforce URL, enhances security, and is a prerequisite for some Salesforce features.

Ensure Appropriate Licenses Are Provisioned:

Nonprofit Cloud Case Management requires specific licenses to be available in the org.

Ensuring that the appropriate licenses are provisioned is crucial for enabling users to access the features and functionalities of Case Management.

Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud Case Management Installation Guide

Salesforce My Domain Documentation

To create a report showing how much each board member has raised, you should:

Use the Opportunities report type: This allows you to capture all gift data.

Add a cross filter for Contacts with Board Member = TRUE: This filters the report to include only those contacts who are board members.

Summarize the Total Gifts this Year and Soft Credits this Year fields: This provides the total amounts for direct gifts and influenced gifts.

This method ensures that both direct contributions and soft credits (gifts influenced by board members) are included in the report.

For entering a large number of contacts from a spreadsheet and creating related cases for each contact, the NPSP Data Importer is the best tool. It allows for configuring upserts (updates or inserts) for Contacts and linking them to related records such as Cases.

Steps:

Prepare the spreadsheet with the necessary data for Contacts and Cases, ensuring all required fields are included.

Open the NPSP Data Importer in Salesforce.

Map the fields in the spreadsheet to the appropriate Salesforce fields for Contacts and Cases.

Configure the importer to upsert Contacts and create related Cases based on the spreadsheet data.

Run the import process and verify the data in Salesforce to ensure all Contacts and Cases are correctly created and linked.

To ensure a case manager can assign a group of services to a client using the Case Plan Wizard, the following configuration is required:

Program with Goals and Action Item Templates:

A program in Salesforce should be configured with defined goals and action item templates.

Goals represent the objectives for the client, and action item templates provide the specific tasks or services that need to be delivered.

Steps to Configure:

Navigate to the Program Management Module in Salesforce.

Create or update the program to include the relevant goals that outline the objectives for the clients.

Define action item templates that detail the services or tasks that will help achieve these goals.

Using the Case Plan Wizard:

The Case Plan Wizard utilizes these predefined goals and action item templates to create a structured case plan for the client.

The case manager can select the appropriate goals and action items from the templates during the case plan creation process.

By having a program with goals and action item templates configured, the nonprofit ensures that case managers can efficiently assign and manage services for their clients.

To troubleshoot the error message "Npsp,TDTMCContact

of AfterUpdate caused by : System,SObjectException

field gender_c Contact (npsp)," the admin should:

Check for Invalid Values:

The error indicates that there might be invalid values in the gender field on Contact records.

Review the values in the gender field across the Contact records to ensure they conform to the expected values (e.g., Male, Female, Non-binary).

Steps to Verify and Correct Values:

Use Salesforce reports or data export tools to extract Contact records with gender values.

Check for any discrepancies or invalid entries.

Correct the invalid values by updating the records with appropriate values.

Review Field Mappings and Settings:

Ensure that any field mappings related to the gender field in Relationship settings or Reciprocal Relationships are correctly configured.

By ensuring the gender field values are valid, the admin can resolve the error and ensure smooth execution of the after-update trigger.

To ensure a subset of org users can fully access the government-issued personal identification number stored in an encrypted field on Contact records, the consultant should enable the "View Encrypted Data" system permission on a Permission Set:

View Encrypted Data System Permission:

This permission allows users to view the full unmasked value of encrypted fields.

It is necessary for users who need to access sensitive data stored in encrypted fields.

Steps to Enable the Permission:

Create or update a Permission Set in Salesforce.

Enable the "View Encrypted Data" permission in the System Permissions section of the Permission Set.

Assign the Permission Set to the appropriate subset of users who require access to the encrypted data.

Security Considerations:

Ensure that only trusted and authorized users are granted this permission due to the sensitive nature of the data.

Regularly review and audit Permission Set assignments to maintain security and compliance.

By enabling the "View Encrypted Data" permission, the nonprofit ensures that authorized users can access sensitive data as needed for their roles.

When migrating a large volume of contacts, accounts, and address records into NPSP, the following considerations are important:

Managing Multiple Addresses:

NPSP allows for multiple addresses per contact or account, which can introduce additional complexity in managing and maintaining these records.

It is essential to have a clear strategy for handling primary, mailing, and other types of addresses to ensure data consistency and accuracy.

Data Storage Consumption:

Each address record consumes additional data storage in Salesforce.

Nonprofits should be aware of their data storage limits and plan accordingly to avoid running out of storage space.

Consider archiving old or inactive address records to manage storage usage efficiently.

These considerations help ensure a smooth data migration process and ongoing data management within NPSP.

To allow volunteers to update their contact information on the nonprofit's website using Volunteers for Salesforce (V4S), follow these steps:

Access Setup:

Navigate to Setup in Salesforce.

Enable Guest User Permissions:

Go to Sites and Domains > Sites.

Click on the site label for your volunteer portal.

Click on Public Access Settings.

Under Field Permissions, make sure the necessary fields (like Contact fields) have the correct read and write permissions for the guest user profile.

Grant Guest Users Update Access:

Ensure that "Grant Guest Users Update Access" is checked. This setting allows guest users, typically those who access your site without logging in, to update certain fields like their contact information.

Test the Configuration:

As a volunteer, navigate to the relevant page on the nonprofit's website.

Test updating the contact information to ensure that the changes are correctly reflected in Salesforce.

This configuration allows volunteers to update their contact details directly from the website, ensuring that the information in Salesforce is always up-to-date.

Salesforce Help Documentation: Sites and Public Access Settings.

When a system administrator attempts to delete a Household Account record that has Contacts with Recurring Donations, Relationships, and closed/won donations, Salesforce will display an error message due to the presence of closed/won donations associated with the Account record.

Log in to Salesforce: Access the Salesforce org where NPSP is installed.

Navigate to the Household Account:

Go to the Accounts tab and locate the Household Account record.

Attempt to Delete the Account:

Try to delete the Household Account record.

Salesforce will prevent the deletion and display an error message because there are closed/won donations linked to this Account.

Review Associated Records:

Check for closed/won Opportunities and other related records that are preventing deletion.

If necessary, consider reassigning or archiving these records instead of deleting the Household Account.

This safeguard ensures data integrity by preventing the loss of critical financial records.

The Power of Us Hub Solution Exchange is designed for nonprofit organizations using Salesforce to connect directly with other nonprofits that have similar business use cases. Here’s how to utilize this resource:

Access the Power of Us Hub:

Navigate to the Power of Us Hub (https://powerofus.force.com).

Log in using your Salesforce credentials.

Explore the Solution Exchange:

Go to the "Solution Exchange" section within the Hub.

Browse through various solutions, discussions, and best practices shared by other nonprofits.

Connect with Similar Nonprofits:

Use the search and filter features to find nonprofits with similar use cases.

Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your experiences.

Utilize Shared Resources:

Access shared resources, templates, and configurations that have been successful for other organizations.

Apply relevant solutions and best practices to your own organization’s use case.

The Power of Us Hub Solution Exchange is a valuable resource for collaboration and learning from the experiences of other nonprofits using Salesforce.

"Power of Us Hub Overview" from Salesforce.org: Power of Us Hub

"Using the Solution Exchange" from Salesforce Help: Solution Exchange

To ensure full compliance with Salesforce best practices for data security, the consultant should use Salesforce Health Check. Here’s why:

Salesforce Health Check:

This tool provides a comprehensive security assessment of your Salesforce org by measuring its settings against the Salesforce recommended baseline.

It evaluates critical security settings such as password policies, session settings, and other security configurations.

Health Check provides a score and recommendations to improve the overall security posture of the org, making it a crucial tool for maintaining data security compliance.

Salesforce Health Check Documentation

Salesforce Security Best Practices Guide

When implementing Salesforce Shield Platform Encryption with NPSP, there are several key considerations:

Role Name Field on Partial Soft Credit Object:

If the Role Name field on the NPSP Partial Soft Credit object is encrypted, the nightly Soft Credit rollups will fail. This is because the rollup process relies on accessing this field, and encryption can interfere with its functionality.

MergeContacts List Button:

The NPSP MergeContacts list button on Contact list views will fail if the Contact Name is encrypted. The merging process requires access to the Contact Name to identify and merge records accurately, which encryption can prevent.

Custom Unique Id Matching:

NPSP Data Import cannot perform Custom Unique Id matching on Accounts and Contacts if the field used for matching is encrypted. This limitation arises because the encryption prevents the import process from accurately comparing and matching the encrypted values.

These considerations highlight the impact of encryption on certain NPSP functionalities, and it is important to plan accordingly when implementing Shield Platform Encryption.

For tracking and reviewing scholarship applications and recording scholarship recipients, award amounts, and dates, the consultant should recommend setting up the Outbound Funds Module. This module is designed for managing funds that are disbursed, such as grants and scholarships. By connecting the Funding Request to Contacts for the recipient, the nonprofit can effectively manage and track all related information in a structured and organized manner.

Salesforce Outbound Funds Module Documentation

Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud Consultant Study Guide

https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/data_modeling/schema_builder

To ensure that new system admins understand the purpose of Salesforce field customizations, the following steps should be taken:

Complete All Field Descriptions:

For every custom field created in Salesforce, ensure that the "Description" field is filled out comprehensively.

Go to Salesforce Setup.

Navigate to the Object Manager and select the object that has custom fields.

For each custom field, click on "Edit" and provide a detailed description that explains the field’s purpose, usage, and any important notes regarding its functionality.

Save the changes.

Document Customizations:

Maintain comprehensive documentation of all custom fields, including their descriptions, data types, and any validation rules associated with them.

Use a shared document or a dedicated Salesforce documentation tool to keep this information accessible and up-to-date.

Training and Onboarding:

Create a training module or onboarding program for new system admins that includes an overview of key customizations.

Use Trailhead modules to supplement learning about field management and customization best practices.

Utilize Salesforce Resources:

Encourage new admins to use Salesforce’s Schema Builder to get a visual overview of the data model, which can help them understand how different fields and objects are interconnected.

Leverage the Setup Audit Trail to review any changes made to field customizations and understand their history.

By ensuring that all field descriptions are complete and providing thorough documentation, new system admins will have a clear understanding of the customizations, helping them manage and maintain the Salesforce instance more effectively.

For a data migration involving tens of millions of records to NPSP over a weekend, the Bulk API is recommended due to its ability to handle large volumes of data efficiently:

Prepare Data for Migration:

Ensure all data is cleaned and formatted correctly for import into Salesforce.

Segment the data into manageable batches to optimize the migration process.

Use Bulk API for Migration:

The Bulk API is designed for loading large data sets and operates asynchronously, allowing for high performance.

Create a Bulk API job to import the data.

Upload data batches and monitor the job status to ensure successful data import.

Minimize System Downtime:

Schedule the data migration to occur during a weekend to reduce the impact on users and minimize system downtime.

Inform stakeholders about the migration schedule and expected downtime.

Verify Data Integrity:

After the migration, run data integrity checks to ensure that all records have been accurately imported.

Compare source data with the imported data in Salesforce to verify completeness.

Using the Bulk API will ensure that the large volume of data is migrated efficiently within the limited timeframe, minimizing disruption to the organization’s operations.

When using Marketing Cloud Connect and enabling tracking, the type of data available for reporting using Salesforce reports includes Email Studio Send details. Here’s why:

Marketing Cloud Connect:

Marketing Cloud Connect integrates Marketing Cloud with Salesforce, enabling data synchronization and reporting.

This integration allows Salesforce to pull tracking data from various Marketing Cloud modules into Salesforce reports.

Email Studio Send Details:

Email Studio Send details include data such as email opens, clicks, bounces, and other email performance metrics.

This data is critical for understanding the engagement and effectiveness of email campaigns, and it is available for reporting within Salesforce.

Salesforce Marketing Cloud Connect Documentation

Salesforce Email Studio Reporting Guide

https://powerofus.force.com/s/article/NPSP-Merging-Contacts

When a staff member receives an error while attempting to merge duplicate contacts, it is often due to insufficient permissions. Creating a Permission Set with "Modify All" on Contacts and Accounts and assigning it to the staff member will grant the necessary permissions to perform merges. This Permission Set will override the default profile permissions and provide the required access to manage and merge contacts.

Steps:

Go to Setup > Permission Sets.

Click "New" to create a new Permission Set.

Name the Permission Set appropriately (e.g., "Contact Merge Permissions").

In the Permission Set, navigate to Object Settings.

Select Contacts and Accounts.

Check the "Modify All" checkbox for both objects.

Save the Permission Set.

Assign the Permission Set to the staff member by navigating to the user's profile and adding the Permission Set.

When migrating historic donation records into a nonprofit's Salesforce org where many of these donations were paid in multiple installments, it is important to ensure that the Payments are correctly matched to the Opportunities. The correct approach involves using the "Do Not Automatically Create Payment" field:

Check the Do Not Automatically Create Payment Field:

When importing historic donations, check the "Do Not Automatically Create Payment" field on the Opportunities.

This prevents Salesforce from automatically creating Payments for these Opportunities, which allows you to manually enter the correct Payments that match the historic installment records.

Manually Create Payments:

After importing the Opportunities with the "Do Not Automatically Create Payment" field checked, manually create Payment records that correspond to each installment.

Ensure each Payment is correctly associated with the corresponding Opportunity.

Validation:

Validate the imported data to ensure all Payments are correctly matched with the Opportunities.

This method ensures that the historic donation records with multiple installments are accurately represented in Salesforce.

For frequently importing membership renewal data and daily donation data with different configurations, the NPSP Data Importer is the most suitable tool. Here’s how to set it up:

Prepare Data Files:

Ensure you have separate data files for membership renewals and daily donations.

Format each file according to the required fields for the NPSP Data Importer.

Access NPSP Data Importer:

Go to the App Launcher.

Search for and open "NPSP Data Importer".

Configure Import Settings:

For membership renewals, configure the data mappings specific to membership fields (e.g., membership type, renewal date).

For daily donations, configure the data mappings for donation-related fields (e.g., donation amount, donor information).

Save Import Mappings:

Save each configuration as a template in the NPSP Data Importer.

Name the templates clearly (e.g., "Membership Renewals Import", "Daily Donations Import").

Import Data:

Upload the respective data files to the NPSP Data Importer.

Select the appropriate template for each import process.

Run the import process, ensuring data is correctly mapped and imported.

Verify and Clean Up:

Verify the imported data for accuracy.

Use the NPSP tools to manage any duplicates or discrepancies.

The NPSP Data Importer provides flexibility and efficiency for handling different types of data imports with tailored configurations.

"NPSP Data Importer" from Salesforce Help: NPSP Data Importer

"Managing Data Imports with NPSP" from Salesforce.org: Data Import Management

When defining user stories for a Salesforce implementation, it is essential to ensure that each story is aligned with the overall vision of the project and that they are prioritized based on business needs. This approach helps in delivering value incrementally and keeps the project focused on the key objectives.

Key Components of a User Story:

Alignment with Vision (A):

Ensure that each user story aligns with the nonprofit's overall implementation vision. This alignment helps in maintaining consistency and achieving the strategic goals of the organization.

Assign Priority (C):

Assign a priority to each user story to manage the implementation effectively. Prioritizing user stories ensures that the most critical functionalities are developed and delivered first.

To send automated renewal emails on a 30/60/90/180-day cadence with different email templates based on members' website visits, Pardot is the recommended solution:

Pardot for Email Automation:

Pardot is Salesforce’s B2B marketing automation solution that can handle complex email automation requirements.

It allows you to create automated email campaigns based on specific triggers and criteria, such as website visits and renewal dates.

Setting Up Pardot Automation:

Create dynamic lists in Pardot that segment members based on their renewal dates (30/60/90/180 days).

Design and create different email templates for each segment.

Use Pardot's Engagement Studio to build automated workflows that send the appropriate email template to each segment based on the criteria.

Tracking and Reporting:

Pardot provides detailed tracking and reporting on email engagement, allowing you to monitor the effectiveness of your renewal campaigns.

Using Pardot, the nonprofit can create personalized and timely renewal emails, improving member engagement and renewal rates.

The most efficient way to install NPSP in an existing Salesforce organization is to use the NPSP Installer. Here’s how to do it:

Access the NPSP Installer Page:

Go to the NPSP Installer page: NPSP Installer

This page provides the latest version of NPSP and installation instructions.

Initiate the Installation:

Click on the installation link for the latest NPSP version.

Log in to your Salesforce org where you want to install NPSP.

Follow the Installation Wizard:

Follow the prompts in the installation wizard to complete the installation.

Choose the appropriate options based on your organization’s needs (e.g., data model selection, configurations).

Complete Post-Install Instructions:

After installation, follow the post-install instructions provided in the documentation. This might include configuring NPSP settings, setting up users, and data import processes.

By following these steps, you can ensure that NPSP is correctly installed and configured in your Salesforce organization.

"Installing NPSP" from Salesforce.org: Installing NPSP

"Post-Install Configuration" from Salesforce Help: Post-Install Configuration