NPSP or NPC? The Answer is Clearer Than You Think —

We hear this question from clients all the time: Should we be using Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) or Nonprofit Cloud (NPC)?

The truth? It’s not as complicated as it might seem. And more importantly, it’s not an either-or decision—it’s about timing.

What is the Nonprofit Cloud?

Salesforce has had a long history of providing solutions for Nonprofits. In 2008, they introduced NPSP, or the Nonprofit Starter Pack, a free managed package that gave nonprofits a pre-configured set of tools tailored to manage relationships, fundraising, volunteers, and programs. This eventually evolved into the Nonprofit Success Pack that is still used by thousands of nonprofits to this day. 

In contrast, the Nonprofit Cloud (NPC), released two years ago in March 2023, is built directly into the Salesforce platform (or what Salesforce calls, ‘on core’), which allows nonprofits to  leverage standard components from Salesforce, creating opportunities for innovation in the nonprofit sector.

New Implementation? Go with NPC

If you’re starting fresh, Nonprofit Cloud (NPC) is the way to go.

NPC is Salesforce’s future for nonprofit support. It’s where all new features are being developed, and it will continue to evolve over time. The product is already solid, and investing in NPC now means setting yourself up for long-term success with Salesforce’s nonprofit solutions.

Already on NPSP? The Answer is the Same—Move to NPC

If you have a legacy NPSP deployment, you should also be planning a move to NPC. That doesn’t mean you need to migrate tomorrow, but you should be thinking about when and how to make the transition.

NPSP is not disappearing overnight—it remains a strong product. But based on conversations we’ve had with Salesforce insiders, NPC is the future. New features, updates, and innovations will continue to roll out there, not in NPSP.

Hoping that NPSP will stay unchanged forever? That’s like putting your head in the sand. It’s better to plan ahead than to be forced into a rushed migration later.

Timing Your Migration to NPC

Your move to NPC may take years, and that’s okay. The key is to start planning now.

Salesforce has attempted to build automated migration tools, but the challenge is complex. Every nonprofit’s Salesforce instance is customized differently, making a one-size-fits-all migration solution difficult.

A successful migration requires thoughtful preparation. Here’s where to focus:

1.  Data Cleanup (No System is Perfect)

Bad data is like moving to a new house and bringing along a pile of clutter. Clean it up first.

Data cleanup is a project in itself. Some steps may be simple—like using reports and lists to identify duplicate records—while others may require exporting data and working offline. There are also numerous data cleaning apps on the AppExchange to help.

2.  Customizations (It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time…)

Take a hard, unsentimental look at your customizations.

Can NPC’s built-in features replace any of your old custom functionality?

Have you hardcoded too much in Apex that could now be handled by Flows?

If you wrote Flows a year ago, are they structured well, or do they look like a first attempt? (Don’t worry—we’ve all been there!)

3.  Understanding Functionality Changes

NPC introduces some major shifts in functionality. Some to consider:

Constituent Data Model - NPC’s constituent model uses a Person Account approach to manage relationships and service access, as opposed to traditional Household or Individual accounts. This model centers around the "Account" to track relationships and service access, rather than the "Contact" as NPSP does.

Relationships & Affiliations - NPC provides an enhanced framework for managing constituent relationships beyond simple contact records. These objects track various connection types, from family relationships to professional affiliations.

Major Gifts - NPC provides tools for managing major gift planning and pipelines to track, manage, and forecast potential revenue from major gifts. They leverage the standard Opportunity object to track donations, grants, and revenue. 

Program & Case Management - Native case, service and program management objects are fully integrated into NPC as opposed to the optional Program Management Module used in NPSP.

Conclusion: A Chance to Reimagine, Not Just Migrate

The shift from NPSP to NPC shouldn’t be seen as just a migration project—it’s an opportunity.

This is your chance to re-implement your nonprofit’s Salesforce instance with a fresh perspective, leveraging the latest capabilities in NPC. With the right planning and the right team, the transition can have minimal disruption and set you up for a long and successful future on Salesforce technology.

Instead of dreading the change, embrace it as a chance to build something even better. In helping our clients make that transition, Baywood Consulting has learned that a well-planned migration is not just about moving systems—it’s about creating a joyful and efficient solution for your organization.