On July 15, 2024, Microsoft announced the retirement of its Fundraising and Engagement solution for nonprofit organizations, with technical support ending on December 31, 2026. We delve into what that means for nonprofits using Fundraising and Engagement and suggest a long-term database solution for nonprofits moving forward.
The Sunset of Microsoft’s Fundraising and Engagement
Microsoft has announced the retirement of its Fundraising and Engagement solution, with technical support ending on December 31, 2026. As of July 15, 2024, Microsoft will not make further enhancements to the solution. Customers can purchase licensing through the end of the year and continue to use Fundraising and Engagement until the end of 2026, receiving security updates and technical support during that period.
After that, no further updates or support will be available. This will leave nonprofits currently using Fundraising and Engagement with the difficult task of deciding what platform to migrate to in the future. Although Microsoft has closed a window for nonprofits, the great news is Salesforce has the door wide open.
Salesforce: The Long-Term Platform for Nonprofits
With the launch of its new Nonprofit Cloud last year, Salesforce has demonstrated a true commitment to the nonprofit sector. The Nonprofit Cloud is built directly on the Salesforce platform, allowing nonprofits to access a wider range of features than ever before. While innovations will be focused on the new Nonprofit Cloud, Salesforce will maintain ongoing support for its NPSP product, including regular updates.
In short, Salesforce offers solutions to support nonprofits of all shapes and sizes; from fundraising to program and case management and beyond.
What’s So Good About Salesforce’s Nonprofit Solutions?
If you’re asking yourself this question, it’s ok–we have answers.
- Scalability: As your organization grows, Nonprofit Cloud can easily scale to accommodate increased data, users, and complexity.
- Trust: Salesforce’s robust security measures help nonprofits protect sensitive donor and beneficiary information.
- Extended ecosystem: It can easily integrate with other tools and platforms commonly used by and purpose built for nonprofits, creating a more cohesive technology ecosystem.
- Improved collaboration: With Salesforce tools like Slack available, nonprofits can experience better communication and coordination among staff, volunteers, and partners, leading to more effective program delivery.
- Innovation: With three major releases each year, Salesforce is continuously iterating and innovating its offerings for nonprofit organizations. With AI tools like predictive donor scoring, nonprofits can understand where to focus their fundraising efforts.
- Cost-effective: Salesforce offers discounted pricing for nonprofits, making it an affordable option for organizations of various sizes.
Following the retirement of Microsoft’s Fundraising and Engagement solution for nonprofits, many will be looking for new alternatives that can scale with their organization. Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud offers a wide range of features, making it a standout choice for nonprofits aiming to enhance processes, maintain connections with constituents, engage with them wherever they are, and ultimately drive your nonprofits mission forward to amplify impact.