Nonprofit Events with Salesforce: A Smarter Way to Plan & Manage

Successful nonprofit events don’t just happen—they require careful planning, seamless coordination, and strategic engagement. Whether you're hosting a fundraising gala, a volunteer appreciation event, or a virtual conference, keeping track of registrations, communications, and donor interactions can quickly become overwhelming.

That’s where Salesforce comes in. As a powerful Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, Salesforce helps nonprofits streamline every aspect of event management—from invitations and ticketing to post-event follow-ups. By integrating event planning with donor and volunteer data, nonprofits can maximize participation, increase fundraising success, and build lasting relationships with supporters.

In this article, we’ll explore how Salesforce simplifies nonprofit event management and share best practices to ensure your events run smoothly and drive meaningful impact.

Selecting the Right-Fit Event Applications: Step-by-Step ??????

Step 1: Define Functionality & Features You Need

• What specific features are essential for your events? Think about online registration, ticketing, payment processing, email marketing, event website creation, attendee management, reporting and analytics, fundraising tools (e.g., donation forms, auction management), volunteer management, and check-in capabilities.
• Can the application handle the size and complexity of your events? Consider the number of attendees, types of events (conferences, galas, walks/runs), and any specific needs.
• Does the application work effectively with Salesforce????
• Does the application offer mobile capabilities? A mobile app for event check-in, on-site registration, or attendee communication can be a huge plus.

Step 2:?Get the Details on Pricing

• What pricing models are offered (e.g., per-event pricing, monthly subscriptions, tiered plans)?
• Are there any transaction fees for online payments or registrations?
• Are there discounts available for nonprofits?
• What are the implementation costs including the Salesforce integration fees?

Step 3: Evaluate Ease of Use & Support

• Is the application user-friendly and intuitive for both staff and attendees?
• What level of customer support is provided (e.g., phone, email, chat)?
• Are there helpful resources available, such as tutorials, knowledge bases, or online communities?

TIP:? Involve key stakeholders in the evaluation process. This might include event staff, fundraising team members, board members, volunteers, and IT staff.

Step 4: Confirm Data Security and Privacy

• How does the application protect sensitive attendee data (e.g., payment information, contact details)?
• Is the application compliant with data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, Accessibility)?

Step 5: Anticipate Reporting Needs

• What kind of event reports does the application generate? This might include attendee demographics, registration numbers, revenue tracking, and website traffic.
• Can you customize reports to meet your specific needs?
• Can the application help you track the ROI of your events?

Step 6:?Check the Vendor Reputation

• Does the vendor have experience working with nonprofits?
• What do other nonprofits say about the application and the vendor? Check online reviews and testimonials.
• Is the vendor financially stable and likely to be around for the long term?

TIP:? To make the best decision, it’s highly recommended that you get demos of your top choices. Most vendors offer free trials so that you can test the capabilities before you sign the contract.??

Review of Selected Event Management Applications

At iMission, we’ve worked with many nonprofits with event management requirements.? We’ve evaluated many applications.? In 2024, we’ve been turning to the following solutions, depending on the event needs of the client.???

Summit Events

Summit Events Application (SEA) is a free, Salesforce-native application designed to be “lightweight, customizable, and open-source,” making it a popular choice for nonprofits and educational institutions. SEA supports single, recurring, and appointment events, with straightforward implementation. As a Salesforce Commons product, it offers community-driven support through a Trailblazer Group.

Highlights

• Free application
• Simple implementation/installation process
• Supports single, recurring, and appointment events
• Part of Salesforce Commons; support available via Trailblazer Group

Challenges

• No direct payment gateway integration; custom code required
• UX customization requires CSS knowledge
• Data schema doesn’t include sponsors, presenters, or other non-attendee types of registrations

Eventbrite Salesforce Integration

The Eventbrite Salesforce Integration connects Eventbrite event data directly with Salesforce, creating an easy way to track registrations, attendance, and engagement in one place. It’s a great choice for organizations that already rely on Eventbrite for external event management

Highlights

• API integration
• Supports various event types, including virtual and in-person events
• Promotion of events on Eventbrite site and listings

Challenges

• Data sync frequency may not meet real-time needs
• Matching logic not reliable
• Limited customization options for field mapping without additional development

Soapbox Engage Events

Soapbox Engage offers a suite of apps tailored for nonprofits, including events management. Soapbox Engage supports registrations, ticketing, and payments, with a strong focus on donor engagement and constituent data collection.

Highlights

• API Integrated app
• Comprehensive event management, including ticketing and payments
• Offers a suite of related apps (donations, petitions) to enhance engagement
• Robust support center with free and paid support offerings

Challenges

• Can be costly depending on organization size and needs
• Some configuration required for tailored data syncing with Salesforce

Blackthorn Events

Blackthorn Events is a Salesforce-native solution that offers flexible event management for a range of event types. It’s well-suited for organizations hosting multiple event formats, such as conferences, galas, and webinars. Blackthorn also provides additional products like Payments, Messaging, and Store, allowing for a more integrated approach to event and engagement management. Its mobile check-in app streamlines onsite experiences for internal users and attendees alike.

Highlights

• Salesforce-native app?
• Mobile check-in app for staff and a mobile event app for attendees
• Additional products available for payments, messaging, and online stores
• Guided and personalized onboarding
• Extensive documentation and responsive support team, with free and paid support options

Challenges

• Complex data model that may require training for new users
• Licensed application with cost based on users and total registrations

TIP:? You might get a bit of sticker shock when you first get a quote from Blackthorn.? But remember, you pay for what you get.? On more than one occasion, iMission clients who opted for a less expensive application realized later that their events would have been more successful and the staff work reduced had they chosen this application.

Do you have any questions about any of these tips, highlights, or challenges?

Send us a message on LinkedIn or book a call!