NPC vs NPSP: The Choice is Yours
When it comes to managing a nonprofit's relationship with technology, Salesforce offers two distinct paths: the Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) and the newer Nonprofit Cloud (NPC). Both are powerful, but making the right choice depends on your organization's needs. Let’s break down the key differences and explore which one might be right for you.
Understanding the Basics
Salesforce has a long history with nonprofits, from offering free licenses to embedding philanthropy into its culture through initiatives like Pledge 1%. Today, over 55,000 nonprofits use Salesforce technology to drive their missions forward. This ecosystem includes two main tools for nonprofit management: NPSP and NPC.
NPSP: A Legacy of Success
The Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) has been a cornerstone of Salesforce’s nonprofit offerings since 2008. Initially launched as a free “starter pack”, it has evolved over time, undergoing rebranding and gaining traction among smaller nonprofits due to its flexibility and community-driven development model. Here’s what makes NPSP stand out:
- Cost: Nonprofits receive 10 free licenses, and additional licenses come at a relatively low cost.
- Third-Party Compatibility: NPSP is highly compatible with third-party apps, making it adaptable for diverse nonprofit needs.
- Data Model: The NPSP data model is simple, making it easier to implement for organizations that need a straightforward solution.
- Add how most features are configured out of the box (with reports provided)
- Future of NPSP: It’s important to note that new features will no longer be introduced in NPSP, though it will continue to receive support.
NPC: The Future of Nonprofit Tech
Nonprofit Cloud (NPC) represents the next generation of nonprofit technology. Built on Salesforce’s core platform, NPC leverages advanced features and keeps pace with broader developments in the Salesforce ecosystem, including the rise of AI. Key highlights of NPC include:
- Advanced Functionality: NPC offers cutting-edge features like OmniStudio Flex Cards, a data processing engine, and ARC (Automation, Rules, and Case Management — or ARC can also stand for Actionable Relationship Center).
- Data Model: While more complex than NPSP, the NPC data model is designed to handle large-scale nonprofit operations with greater sophistication.
- AI Integration: With AI tools for donor prediction and fundraising generation, NPC is designed to help nonprofits thrive in a data-driven world.
- Pricing: The base enterprise license cost for NPC is higher than NPSP, but it also offers significantly more functionality. Depending on the edition of NPC purchased, 10 free licenses may be included.
Key Considerations
When deciding between NPSP and NPC, nonprofits should weigh a few critical questions:
- Should I migrate now? If you’re a current Salesforce customer, heavily invested in NPSP, and it meets your current needs, there’s no immediate rush to change. However, NPC is part of the future; eventually, migration might be the best path to access new features. (Net new organizations may have different considerations.) It’s important to know that a move from NPSP to NPC requires an implementation and full data migration. While that may seem daunting partners like Arkus can help you successfully move through the process taking advantage of the out-of-the-box functionality and providing further customization to meet your business requirements.
- How long will NPSP be supported? NPSP will still be around for years to come, but it won’t receive new features. While it remains a solid choice today, NPC will continue to innovate. NPSP will continue to receive any innovation built into the Salesforce platform it is based on and as an open-source project, might get sponsors in the future.
- Which one should I go with? The choice boils down to your organization’s scale and ambitions. NPSP is an excellent, cost-effective option for smaller nonprofits or those already embedded in its ecosystem. NPC, on the other hand, is ideal for organizations looking to leverage more advanced functionality and scale their operations over time.
Conclusion: The Choice Is Yours
Both NPSP and NPC provide nonprofits with powerful tools to drive their missions forward. If your organization needs a more flexible and cost-effective solution, NPSP might be the way to go. But for those looking to future-proof their operations with more advanced capabilities, NPC is a good choice. As always, consider your specific needs, budget, and long-term organizational goals when making your decision.
In the end, it’s not about which tool is better—it’s about which one is better for you.
What do you think? If you have questions or want to explore your options — reach out to us at Arkus through LinkedIn or our contact form. You can connect with me on LinkedIn or X @JasonMAtwood.
