To transfer data from Salesforce to an accounting system using Accounting Subledger, nonprofits can use several methods. Here are three possible methods:

Integrate Salesforce with the Accounting System Using Middleware:

Middleware can act as a bridge between Salesforce and the accounting system, facilitating data transfer.

Tools like MuleSoft, Jitterbit, or Dell Boomi can be used to create integrations that sync data between Salesforce and the accounting system.

This method ensures real-time or near-real-time data synchronization, reducing manual data handling.

Export Data via Salesforce Reports to Upload to the Accounting System:

Salesforce allows the creation of detailed reports which can be exported in various formats (e.g., CSV, Excel).

These reports can be manually uploaded to the accounting system.

This method is suitable for organizations with fewer transactions or where real-time integration is not critical.

Develop a Custom Integration Solution:

For organizations with specific needs that are not met by standard middleware solutions, a custom integration can be developed.

This involves using Salesforce APIs (REST or SOAP) to programmatically extract data from Salesforce and load it into the accounting system.

Custom integrations provide flexibility but require more technical expertise and maintenance.

References:

Salesforce Integration Patterns and Best Practices: Salesforce Integration Guide.

Salesforce Reporting and Exporting: Salesforce Reporting.

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.

References:

Salesforce Help: Managing Addresses in NPSP

Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) Documentation: Data Management and Storage

When preparing for an upcoming NPSP release and wanting to validate customizations, the consultant can take the following approaches:

Test Customizations in an Updated Sandbox (A):

Update the sandbox to the latest release of NPSP.

Deploy the customizations to the updated sandbox and thoroughly test them to ensure compatibility with the new release.

Configure a Scratch Org with NPSP Dependency and Test Customizations (D):

Set up a new scratch org using Salesforce DX and include the NPSP dependency.

Deploy the customizations to the scratch org and test them to validate their functionality with the latest NPSP release.

Steps to Implement:

Update Sandbox:

Refresh the sandbox and ensure it is on the same version as the upcoming NPSP release.

Deploy and test the customizations in the sandbox environment.

Set Up Scratch Org:

Use Salesforce DX to create a scratch org with the necessary NPSP configurations.

Deploy the customizations to the scratch org and perform testing.

References:

Salesforce Developer Documentation on Sandboxes and Scratch Orgs

Salesforce Trailhead: Salesforce DX and Development Environments

When setting up the process for importing lists of Contacts into Salesforce Campaigns using the NPSP Data Import tool, it is essential to consider how Campaign Members are created and matched.

Key Considerations:

Automatic Campaign Member Creation (A):

The NPSP Data Import tool will automatically create Campaign Member records for the imported Contacts with the default Member Status. This helps streamline the process of adding members to campaigns.

Exact Name Matching (D):

Existing Campaigns in Salesforce are matched by exact Name. This means that the names in the CSV files must match the names of the Campaigns in Salesforce exactly for the import process to associate Contacts with the correct Campaigns.

Steps to Set Up:

Prepare CSV Files:

Ensure that the Campaign names in the CSV files exactly match the names of the Campaigns in Salesforce.

Include all necessary fields to map Contacts to Campaign Members.

Configure NPSP Data Import:

Navigate to NPSP Settings -> Data Import.

Ensure the settings align with the import requirements, including handling duplicates and respecting duplicate matching rules if enabled.

Perform Dry Run:

Use the NPSP Data Import Dry Run feature to validate the import configuration and ensure that the Campaign Member Status and other settings are correctly applied.

References:

Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack Documentation

Salesforce Trailhead: Import Data for Nonprofits

Before converting from Legacy Recurring Donations to Enhanced Recurring Donations, nonprofits should consider several factors to ensure a smooth transition. Enhanced Recurring Donations offer improved functionality but may introduce compatibility issues with existing integrations. Additionally, once the switch is made, reverting to Legacy Recurring Donations is not supported, which means careful planning and testing are essential.

Steps:

Review all existing integrations to ensure compatibility with Enhanced Recurring Donations.

Conduct thorough testing in a sandbox environment to identify any potential issues.

Inform stakeholders that reverting to Legacy Recurring Donations is not supported once the switch is made.

Plan for a phased rollout and provide training to users on the new features and processes.

References:

CertGod Nonprofit Cloud Consultant Guide: Discusses considerations and steps for transitioning to Enhanced Recurring Donations​​.

Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) Documentation: Details the features and limitations of Enhanced Recurring Donations.

When migrating millions of Contact records and encountering the error "npsp.TDTM_Address: System.LimitException: Apex CPU time limit exceeded," you can take the following actions:

Disable Automation:

Go to NPSP Settings.

Navigate to "TDTM" (Table Driven Trigger Management).

Disable all automation triggers temporarily to ensure they do not interfere with the data load process.

Load Address Object Separately:

Split the data load into two parts: first load Contacts without address data, then load address data separately.

This reduces the complexity and processing required for each batch.

Disable ADDR_Addresses_TDTM Handler:

In NPSP Settings, go to "Trigger Configuration."

Locate the 'ADDR_Addresses_TDTM' handler.

Disable this specific handler to prevent it from executing during the data import process.

Reduce Batch Size:

When using Data Loader or any import tool, set the batch size to a significantly lower number (e.g., 100 or 200 records per batch).

This helps in managing CPU limits and ensures smoother processing.

By following these steps, you can mitigate the Apex CPU time limit issue and successfully import large volumes of data into NPSP.

References:

Salesforce documentation on managing Apex CPU time limits.

Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) documentation on Trigger Management and Data Import.

https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/content/learn/modules/search_solution_basics/search_solution_basics_optimizing

To improve search performance when migrating a large volume of donation data into the Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) for a nonprofit, the consultant should consider implementing Skinny Tables and Custom Index. Here is a detailed explanation:

Skinny Tables:

Skinny tables are a performance optimization technique in Salesforce used to improve the performance of read-only operations.

They are highly effective in environments with large volumes of data, such as the scenario described with 20 years of donation data and over 200,000 donations each year.

A skinny table contains frequently accessed fields and can significantly reduce query time.

Skinny tables are maintained by Salesforce and do not require changes to the custom object schema or existing queries.

They are particularly useful for scenarios involving complex reports and list views.

Custom Index:

Custom indexes enhance the performance of search queries in Salesforce.

Creating custom indexes on fields that are frequently used in search filters and conditions can drastically improve search performance.

Salesforce allows up to 25 custom indexes per object, which can be leveraged to optimize searches on key fields such as donor names, donation dates, and amounts.

Custom indexes should be applied to fields involved in frequently used WHERE clauses in SOQL queries.

References:

Salesforce documentation on Skinny Tables: Skinny Tables

Salesforce documentation on Custom Index: Custom Index

To track a check that includes donations from several donors for a specific program, the consultant should configure GAU Allocations and Partial Soft Credits in NPSP. Here’s why:

GAU Allocations:

General Accounting Unit (GAU) Allocations are used to track how donations are allocated across different programs or funds.

This feature allows the nonprofit to specify which portion of the check is designated for the specific program, providing clear tracking and reporting.

Partial Soft Credits:

Partial Soft Credits can be used to attribute portions of a single donation to multiple donors.

This feature allows the nonprofit to recognize each donor for their contribution while keeping the accounting of the total donation intact.

References:

Salesforce NPSP Documentation on GAU Allocations

Salesforce NPSP Documentation on Soft Credits

To track supporters who send advocacy messages to elected officials, the nonprofit can use the following solutions:

Organize Advocacy Messages into Campaigns:

Create a Campaign in Salesforce for each advocacy initiative.

Add Contacts who take action (send messages) as Campaign Members. This allows the nonprofit to track participation and engagement within each advocacy campaign.

Use an Online Advocacy Platform from the AppExchange:

Select an advocacy platform from the Salesforce AppExchange that integrates with Salesforce. These platforms are designed to facilitate advocacy efforts and automatically sync supporter actions with Salesforce.

The platform can record which supporters sent messages and update Salesforce accordingly, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting.

These solutions provide a comprehensive approach to managing and tracking advocacy efforts, leveraging the capabilities of Salesforce and specialized advocacy tools.

References:

Salesforce AppExchange: Advocacy Platforms

Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) Documentation: Managing Campaigns and Campaign Members

To collect information online about new volunteers, including names, contact details, skill sets, and availability, and create a report with this information, the following solutions are recommended:

Collect Contact Information During Job Sign Up:

Use the Job Listings feature in Volunteers for Salesforce to capture volunteer information during the job sign-up process.

Ensure that the sign-up form includes fields for contact details, skill sets, and availability.

Steps to Set Up Job Listings:

Navigate to the Volunteers for Salesforce setup.

Configure job listings and ensure the sign-up forms capture all necessary information.

Add the Volunteer Sign Up Form to the Nonprofit's Website:

Create a Volunteer Sign Up form and embed it on the nonprofit’s website.

Use the Volunteers for Salesforce Web-to-Volunteer feature to automatically capture and create records in Salesforce.

Steps to Set Up Web-to-Volunteer:

Go to Volunteers for Salesforce settings.

Set up the Web-to-Volunteer form with the required fields.

Embed the form on the nonprofit’s website.

These methods ensure that all relevant volunteer information is captured and stored in Salesforce, allowing for easy reporting and management.

References:

Volunteers for Salesforce Documentation

Salesforce Help: Setting Up Web-to-Volunteer Forms

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To measure user adoption after the go-live of Salesforce for program management, the nonprofit can track the following metrics:

Number of Account and Contact Records Created (B):

This metric indicates how actively users are adding new data into the system, reflecting their engagement and usage of Salesforce for managing accounts and contacts.

Percentage of Staff Logging In Weekly (C):

This metric provides insight into how consistently staff members are using Salesforce. High login rates suggest good user adoption, while low rates may indicate a need for additional training or support.

Steps to Measure:

Create Reports:

Use Salesforce reports to track the number of Account and Contact records created over the past 30 days.

Set up a report to monitor user login frequency and calculate the percentage of staff logging in weekly.

Monitor and Analyze:

Regularly review these reports to assess user adoption and identify any areas needing improvement.

References:

Salesforce Adoption Dashboards

Salesforce Trailhead: Measure Salesforce Adoption

(https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/content/learn/modules/contact-and-account-settings-in-nonprofit-success-pack/merge-duplicate-contacts-and-accounts-npsp)

When encountering errors while trying to merge contacts using the NPSP Contact Merge tab, the following issues are likely causes:

Delete Access to Contacts:

The user needs to have delete access to the contacts being merged. Without the necessary permissions, the user will not be able to complete the merge operation.

Ensure that the user's profile or permission set includes delete permissions on the Contact object.

Unique External ID:

If a unique external ID is retained from the non-master contact, it can cause conflicts during the merge process. The system expects unique external IDs to remain unique, and retaining an ID from a record that is being merged (and effectively deleted) can create issues.

References:

Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack Documentation

Salesforce Merge Contact Permissions Guide

https://powerofus.force.com/s/article/NPSP-TDTM-Overview

Table-Driven Trigger Management (TDTM) in the Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) allows developers and administrators to manage Apex triggers in a more flexible and controlled manner. The benefits include:

Control the order in which the code executes (B): TDTM enables you to specify the order of execution for various triggers, ensuring that triggers run in the desired sequence.

Disable specific pieces of code (D): TDTM allows you to disable individual triggers or handler classes without modifying the actual code, which is useful for debugging or temporarily disabling functionality.

References:

Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack Documentation

Salesforce Trailhead: Manage Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) Table-Driven Trigger Management

When setting up a sandbox strategy for a nonprofit implementation project involving two major development initiatives, it is essential to use separate sandboxes for different purposes. The key purposes include Quality Assurance, Staging, and Development. Here’s why:

Quality Assurance (QA):

QA sandboxes are used to test new features and functionalities to ensure they work as expected.

This environment helps identify and fix bugs before the changes are moved to production.

Staging:

A staging sandbox is a replica of the production environment.

It is used for final testing and validation of new features, configurations, and data migrations.

Ensures that everything works correctly in an environment that closely mimics production.

Development:

Development sandboxes are used by developers to build and test new features.

Each developer can have their own sandbox to avoid conflicts with others’ work.

Using separate sandboxes for these purposes ensures a clear and organized development process, reduces the risk of conflicts, and helps maintain a stable production environment.

References:

Salesforce Documentation: Sandbox Types and Templates

Salesforce Trailhead: Developing in Sandboxes

Understanding the trial experiences available on the Salesforce.org website is crucial for setting expectations and planning custom configuration work. Here’s detailed information about the trial options:

Available Trial Experiences:

Lightning Enterprise: This option provides a standard Salesforce Lightning Enterprise edition, suitable for exploring core CRM capabilities.

Lightning Enterprise + NPSP: This trial includes the Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) on top of the Lightning Enterprise edition, tailored specifically for nonprofit needs.

Free Trial Period:

The free trial period for Salesforce.org trials is 30 days. This provides enough time to explore features, gather requirements, and conduct initial custom configuration work.

Why Not Other Options:

Option A: While free licenses may be available for qualified customers, this is separate from the trial experience and not universally applicable.

Option D: The trial orgs provided by Salesforce.org are typically not Developer Edition orgs but are configured to showcase the Enterprise capabilities with or without NPSP.

By knowing that the trial choices include Lightning Enterprise or Lightning Enterprise + NPSP and that the free trial period is for 30 days, the consultant can effectively plan and execute the initial phases of the project.

References:

Salesforce.org Trial Experiences Information

Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) Documentation

When migrating a large volume of donation and payment data into an NPSP org, the consultant should discuss the following considerations with the nonprofit organization:

Data Storage Limits:

Salesforce has data storage limits based on the type and edition of the Salesforce instance.

It is important to calculate the volume of data being imported and ensure it does not exceed the available storage.

If necessary, consider purchasing additional data storage or archiving old records to free up space.

Data Skew:

Data skew occurs when a large number of child records are associated with a single parent record.

This can impact performance and cause issues with sharing rules and data visibility.

Plan the data import to distribute records evenly and avoid creating data skew, particularly with high-volume objects like Contacts and Accounts.

By addressing these considerations, the nonprofit can ensure a smooth and efficient data migration process while maintaining optimal system performance and compliance with Salesforce limits.

References:

Salesforce Documentation: Data Storage Allocations

Salesforce NPSP Documentation: Data Import Best Practices

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.

References:

Power of Us Hub

GitHub Cumulus Releases Repository

To allow volunteers to log their own hours in Volunteers for Salesforce, the consultant should propose setting up the Volunteers Personal Site or adding a Log Volunteer Hours section on the nonprofit’s website.

Volunteers Personal Site:

This site allows volunteers to log in and manage their hours directly within Salesforce.

Steps to Set Up:

Navigate to Setup > Sites.

Create a new site and configure it to use the Volunteers for Salesforce functionality.

Add the Volunteers Personal Site tab and configure the permissions.

Direct volunteers to use this site to log their hours.

Log Volunteer Hours Section on Website:

Create a section on the nonprofit’s website where volunteers can log their hours.

Steps to Set Up:

Design a web form that captures the volunteer's job or shift and the hours worked.

Use Salesforce Web-to-Case or Web-to-Lead to capture this data and create records in Salesforce.

Direct volunteers to this section to submit their hours.

Both solutions provide a user-friendly way for volunteers to log their hours without requiring manual entry by staff.

When using the NPSP Data Importer for Contacts, if some Account records are not being automatically created, the consultant should check:

Required Fields in the Import: Ensure that all required fields for creating an Account are included in the data import file. Missing required fields can prevent Account creation.

Required Fields on the Account: Verify that the Account object does not have custom required fields that are not being populated by the import process. Custom fields marked as required at the field level or in page layouts can block record creation if not provided.

Checking these factors ensures that the import process has all the necessary information to create Account records successfully.

References:

Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack Documentation

Salesforce Trailhead: Importing Data with NPSP Data Importer

A Salesforce-recommended V2MOM includes key components that guide an organization’s strategic planning and execution. The two sections that should be included are:

Vision:

This section defines what you want to achieve. It sets the overall direction and purpose of the plan. For example, "Increase donor engagement and retention by 20% over the next fiscal year."

Metrics:

This section includes the measures of success. Metrics help track progress and determine if the vision and goals are being met. For example, "Track the number of new donors, donor retention rate, and total donations received."

Including these sections ensures that the organization has a clear direction (Vision) and a way to measure success (Metrics), which are critical for strategic planning and execution.

References:

"V2MOM: Vision, Values, Methods, Obstacles, and Measures" from Salesforce Blog: V2MOM Framework

To ensure data hygiene and maintenance in Salesforce, it’s essential to follow best practices that help in keeping the data clean and organized. Here are the detailed steps:

Organize Reports into Appropriate Folders:

Navigate to the Reports tab.

Create folders for different types of reports (e.g., Fundraising, Program Management).

Move existing reports into these folders for better organization.

Run Health Check:

Navigate to Setup.

In the Quick Find box, type "Health Check".

Run the Health Check to evaluate your org’s security settings against Salesforce security baseline.

Review the findings and follow the recommendations to improve data security and compliance.

References:

"Organize Reports and Dashboards" from Salesforce Help: Organize Reports

"Salesforce Health Check" from Salesforce Help: Health Check