Salesforce Grant Management: Past, Present, and Future
In 2008, Idealist Consulting embarked on our first Salesforce Grant Management implementation for The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, which may have been the pioneering Grant Management project using the Salesforce platform. Since then, we have successfully completed over 170 foundation-related grant builds for esteemed organizations like the Hilton Foundation, The James Irvine Foundation, Wikimedia Foundation, and Grameen Foundation. With our extensive experience in the space, Idealist Consulting has gained valuable insights into what makes an effective grant management solution.
Foundations have a long history using the Salesforce platform. Understanding that history is integral to selecting the best solution for your organization’s needs. Below we will explore the history of Foundations on the Salesforce platform and guide you toward the best next steps for your organization.
NPSP "Custom" Grant Management (2008 - Present)
Idealist Consulting has been at the forefront of Grant Management solutions on the Salesforce platform. In 2013, Salesforce introduced the first Grant Management solution called "GMS" as an unmanaged package. This solution, though no longer in production, was implemented for over 20 nonprofit organizations, including Banfield Foundation and Ben Austin Associates. GMS aimed to address the challenge of building Grant Management solutions from scratch, providing a standardized approach instead of random development on a case-by-case basis. While GMS paved the way for Grant Management on Salesforce, it was eventually retired to allocate more resources to the creation of foundationConnect.
foundationConnect (2010 - Present)
foundationConnect was initially developed by NPower NY and later acquired by roundCorner to complement their fundraising solution, NGO Connect. In 2019, Salesforce.org purchased roundCorner, further refining foundationConnect by transitioning from .NET portals to Salesforce Experience Cloud portals, known as Community Licenses. This evolution led to three versions: Legacy FC (.NET Portals), Classic FC (Community Visualforce), and foundationConnect (Community Lightning). Each version catered to mid to large-sized foundations, with newer releases building upon the strengths of previous versions.
Salesforce has announced the retirement of foundationConnect, with the product set to be retired on January 31, 2026. Organizations will not be able to renew their subscriptions after January 31, 2025. Organizations using Legacy or Classic versions are encouraged to explore migration options to newer solutions.
NPSP "Grants Management Module" (2014 - Present)
The NPSP Grants Management Module originated from foundationConnect and was developed to serve the specific needs of nonprofit organizations managing grants. This module, integrated into the Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP), leveraged Salesforce's Experience Cloud portals, evolving through three key iterations: Legacy FC (.NET Portals), Classic FC (Community Visualforce), NPSP Grants Management (Community Lightning).
Unlike foundationConnect, which targeted large foundations, the NPSP Grants Management Module offered a tailored solution for nonprofits requiring efficient grant tracking and reporting. By building on Salesforce's standard architecture, it supported nonprofits of varying sizes and complexities, enhancing workflows and data accessibility. Salesforce has committed to maintaining support for NPSP Grants Management, ensuring compatibility with evolving Salesforce platform features.
NPSP Community "Outbound Fund Management" (2017 - Present)
Recognizing the need for a simplified Grant Management solution for small and midsize nonprofit organizations, the Salesforce community collaborated to develop the Outbound Fund Management Solution (OBFM). Starting at the 2017 Chicago Sprint, this solution was created to track Outbound Funds such as Grants, Scholarships, and Internal Funding Requests. Drawing inspiration from foundationConnect, the solution evolved into a Grant Management solution utilized by small to midsize foundations. Salesforce remains committed to supporting Outbound Funds as an open-source, community-driven project.
Nonprofit Cloud "Grantmaking" (2021 - Present)
The acquisition of Salesforce.org by Salesforce.com in 2019 marked a significant milestone for the Grant Management space. The introduction of Salesforce’s Nonprofit Cloud product brought about the Grantmaking solution, officially released in July, 2023. Built on the Nonprofit Cloud architecture and aligned with the person accounts model, the Grantmaking solution seamlessly integrates with multiple Salesforce clouds, including Health & Science and Public Sector. Embracing Salesforce Common Industries Components, such as Omnistudio, Data Processing Engine, and Doc Gen, the solution provides enhanced functionality and ease of integration.
Choosing the Right Solution
It is crucial to note that all three Grant Management solutions discussed in this article are currently operational and offer value on the highly customizable Salesforce platform. To determine the most suitable solution for your foundation, especially if you are still using Legacy or Classic foundationConnect, we recommend reaching out to one of our expert consultants for a needs assessment.
With a range of Grant Management solutions available from Salesforce, organizations can leverage the power of the platform to streamline and enhance their grant processes. Whether it's the NPSP "Custom" Grant Management, NPSP "Grant Management" (foundationConnect), NPSP Community "Outbound Fund Management," or the latest Nonprofit Cloud "Grantmaking", Idealist Consulting is well-equipped to assist foundations in finding the right solution. Contact us today if you are interested in the Nonprofit Cloud Grantmaking solution or would like guidance in exploring other options, we would love to hear from you!
