Salesforce Discounts for Academic and Non-Profit Organizations

Discounts for Academic and Non-Profit Organizations

• Up to 20% off software licenses.
• Custom pricing plans based on organizational needs.
• Free trial periods for eligible institutions.
• Exclusive bundles for educational tools.
• Support package discounts for ongoing assistance.

Salesforce’s Program for Nonprofits: The Power of Us

Salesforce provides a dedicated program called The Power of Us for nonprofit organizations.

This flagship initiative offers substantial benefits to qualified nonprofits, enabling them to leverage the same enterprise-level CRM features as large businesses without prohibitive costs.

Here’s what the Power of Us program includes:

Core Benefits

• 10 Free Enterprise Edition Licenses: Qualified nonprofits receive ten free Salesforce Enterprise Edition licenses, valued at approximately $18,000 annually. This is an incredible offer for organizations with limited budgets.
• Deep Discounts on Additional Subscriptions and Services: In addition to the free licenses, nonprofits can get deep discounts on additional Salesforce products and services, allowing them to grow and adapt the platform to their needs.
• Discounted Access to Training Programs: Learning Salesforce can be challenging. However, nonprofits participating in this program receive discounted access to training programs, including resources from the Salesforce App Exchange.
• Special Pricing for Salesforce Events: The Power of Us initiative also extends to events, offering special pricing for conferences, partner programs, and other Salesforce events. This enables nonprofits to stay informed and continue learning from the broader Salesforce community.

Eligibility Requirements

To take advantage of the Power of Us program, organizations must meet certain eligibility requirements:

• They must be officially recognized as a charitable, nonprofit, or nongovernmental organization within their country.
• They must provide legal documentation proving their nonprofit status, such as Articles of Association or Memorandum of Association.
• All required documentation must be submitted to complete the application.

These criteria ensure that only legitimate nonprofits can access these generous discounts and benefits, keeping the focus on those who need it the most.

Implementation Benefits for Nonprofits

Nonprofits can derive significant value from the Power of Us program through specialized features that help in managing their programs and donors more efficiently:

• Centralized Program Management: Salesforce makes it easy to manage different programs in one place, allowing for more effective collaboration and administration.
• Grant and Impact Management Tools: Salesforce provides dedicated tools for managing grant distribution and measuring initiatives’ social impact.
• Volunteer and Donor Tracking: With tools to track donors and volunteers, nonprofits can build stronger relationships with their supporters and ensure consistent involvement.
• Fundraising Capabilities: The platform supports end-to-end fundraising activities, from outreach to management and reporting, making it easier for nonprofits to raise funds.
• Improved Efficiency and Transparency: By centralizing data, nonprofits can reduce duplication of effort and improve transparency in resource use, which helps build trust with donors and stakeholders.
• Enhanced Donor Engagement: Salesforce’s automation tools enable nonprofits to personalize communication with donors, send timely follow-ups, and maintain ongoing relationships, which is crucial for long-term engagement and support.

Read how to avoid restrictions on discounted licenses.

Salesforce’s Academic Institutions Program

For academic institutions, Salesforce has developed an initiative that provides affordable access to Education Cloud, tailored to meet educational organizations’ specific needs.

Here are the key components of Salesforce’s academic offerings.

Higher Education Benefits

Educational institutions can access 45 free Lightning Sales Cloud Enterprise Edition licenses for students pursuing relevant coursework.

This allows students to gain hands-on experience with a world-class CRM system, preparing them for careers in sales, business analysis, and other fields where Salesforce skills are highly demanded.

Academic institutions also access Education Cloud, which was built specifically to streamline and optimize the many processes universities and colleges manage. Education Cloud comes with specialized features like:

• Connected Applicant Experiences: Ensuring prospective students have a seamless and personalized experience from application to enrollment.
• Application Review Console: A comprehensive console that streamlines managing and reviewing applications.
• Unified Student Records: This feature offers a centralized view of every student, enabling more personalized and effective support throughout their educational journey.
• Learning Program Builder: Helps create and manage different learning programs tailored to the needs of students.
• Intelligent Degree Planning: Salesforce helps academic institutions provide students with a clear and personalized path to completing their degree, considering individual preferences and requirements.
• Student Success Tools: The Education Cloud provides advisors with tools to support student success initiatives, including early alerts for at-risk students and personalized advising.

Education Cloud Pricing Tiers

While Salesforce offers 45 free licenses, academic institutions can expand their use of the platform through the following pricing tiers:

• Enterprise Edition: $81.25 per user per month (billed annually).
• Unlimited Edition: $138.75 per user per month.
• Einstein for Sales/Service: $350 per user per month for institutions looking to add AI-driven insights to their educational programs.

These pricing structures are designed to offer flexibility for academic institutions of all sizes, whether small colleges or large universities with complex needs.

Implementation Benefits for Educational Institutions

The implementation of Salesforce for educational purposes offers a range of advantages that help both students and administrators:

• 15% Increase in Student Retention Rates: Educational institutions have seen increased retention rates by offering better support and improving the student experience.
• 10% Increase in Alumni and Donor Contributions: Salesforce’s powerful CRM features help improve alumni engagement and increase contributions.
• 12% Improvement in Administrative Efficiency: Many institutions have improved their administrative processes by using Education Cloud, allowing them to allocate resources more efficiently.
• Enhanced Student Engagement Tools: The platform provides powerful tools that foster better relationships between students, faculty, and staff, increasing engagement and satisfaction.
• Holistic Student Experience: Salesforce Education Cloud helps academic institutions provide a holistic student experience by unifying data across different departments, thus enabling tailored support for each student’s needs.
• Data Analytics for Student Success: Integrating data analytics tools allows institutions to proactively address student challenges, predict outcomes, and provide the necessary support to improve student success rates.

Additional Technology Access

Both nonprofits and academic institutions also gain special access to other platforms that complement Salesforce’s offerings:

• Slack: Special nonprofit and educational pricing is available, making communication and collaboration across teams more accessible.
• Tableau: TechSoup offers nonprofits discounted access to Tableau’s desktop offerings, which helps organizations make data-driven decisions.
• Experience Cloud: Both sectors can also add Experience Cloud, which extends Salesforce’s reach by allowing organizations to create personalized digital experiences for their users.
• MuleSoft Integration: Salesforce also offers access to MuleSoft, which enables educational institutions and nonprofits to seamlessly connect different systems and data sources, improving the overall efficiency of their operations.
• Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP): This Salesforce app is specifically designed for nonprofits to help them manage donors, volunteers, and campaigns more effectively.

Read about how to use Salesforce add-ons to increase discounts.

Support and Resources

Salesforce provides a comprehensive support structure for nonprofits and academic institutions:

• Salesforce.org Hub: Access to the Salesforce.org Hub in the Trailblazer Community provides a great space for sharing best practices and getting expert advice.
• Documentation and Knowledge Base: Institutions have full access to Salesforce documentation, which simplifies implementing and managing the platform.
• Training Through Trailhead: Trailhead, Salesforce’s learning platform, is available at a discounted rate to help organizations train their staff effectively.
• Community-Led Learning Opportunities: Salesforce organizes community events, webinars, and training sessions for nonprofit and educational sectors to help them maximize the platform’s potential.
• Salesforce also offers pro bono support through employee volunteering programs, especially beneficial for nonprofits with limited IT resources.

How to Apply for the Power of Us Program

The Power of Us program has a straightforward application process. Here are the key steps:

1. Submit the Application: Go to the Power of Us portal and apply with the required documents.
2. Review Process: Allow three business days for Salesforce to review the application.
3. Provisioning: Once approved, Salesforce will provision the requested Salesforce organization.

It is important to note that a trial org is not required to apply, but organizations should already identify a system administrator before requesting products. Salesforce also recommends working with an implementation partner to ensure the platform is used effectively.

Additionally, nonprofit organizations should be prepared to provide details about their mission, the type of services they offer, and the specific ways they expect Salesforce to support their initiatives. This information helps Salesforce determine the best fit and ensure a smooth onboarding process.

ROI and Measurable Impact

For both nonprofits and academic institutions, the benefits of using Salesforce go beyond just saving costs—the platform delivers measurable improvements in several key areas:

• Cost Savings: Consolidating technology solutions can significantly reduce organizations’ costs. This is particularly important for nonprofits trying to stretch every dollar.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: CRM’s data tools enable nonprofits and educational institutions to make better, data-driven decisions that improve the outcomes for students, alumni, donors, and communities.
• 5.5% Increase in Post-Pandemic Return-to-School Rates: Education institutions using Salesforce have reported increased return-to-school rates after the pandemic, indicating improved student relationships and better-targeted support.
• Targeted Marketing Capabilities: Salesforce allows institutions to create more targeted marketing campaigns, helping attract the right students and donors.
• Enhanced Program Delivery: For nonprofits, Salesforce tools help streamline the delivery of programs by improving scheduling, resource allocation, and performance monitoring, leading to greater impact.
• Increased Donor Retention: By providing personalized engagement and clear communication, nonprofits have seen increased donor retention, which is crucial for long-term sustainability.
• Optimized Fundraising Campaigns: With comprehensive analytics, nonprofits can optimize their fundraising campaigns to better reach and engage their audience, leading to increased donations and support.

Community Impact

The Power of Us and Education Cloud programs aren’t just about CRM—they’re about transforming communities:

• Improved Student-Mentor Connections: Salesforce’s tools help foster better relationships between students and mentors, vital to student success.
• Better Staff Alignment: Improved data systems help staff align better with the organization’s goals, enhancing productivity and focus.
• Community Engagement: Salesforce’s community tools strengthen the organization by enhancing engagement with students, alumni, donors, and volunteers.
• Streamlined Administrative Processes: Better technology means fewer administrative headaches, allowing organizations to focus on what matters: driving social impact.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Slack integration allows teams to communicate in real-time, particularly useful for nonprofits managing volunteers or academic institutions running multiple programs.
• Alumni Networks: For educational institutions, Salesforce helps maintain and engage alumni networks, supporting future donations and providing current students with networking opportunities.
• Enhanced Visibility and Reporting: Salesforce’s powerful reporting capabilities give nonprofits a clearer view of their impact. They can then share this view with stakeholders and supporters to build trust and foster further engagement.

Salesforce also empowers nonprofits and academic institutions to work towards sustainable development goals by enabling them to collect, analyze, and act on data to amplify their impact. Whether by improving student retention, increasing alumni engagement, or driving community projects, Salesforce’s programs help organizations create positive, measurable societal change.

By equipping nonprofits and educational institutions with the tools they need to succeed, Salesforce contributes to a broader mission of driving social change and creating opportunities for growth and development across communities.

The technology provided by Salesforce makes processes more efficient and opens up new possibilities for what these organizations can achieve.

Discounts for Academic and Non-Profit Organizations: Salesforce Licensing FAQ

How do academic and non-profit organizations qualify for Salesforce discounts?
Organizations must provide documentation proving non-profit status, such as a 501(c)(3) certificate in the U.S. or accreditation for academic institutions. International equivalents are accepted, but specifics may vary.

What discounts are available under the Salesforce Power of Us program?
The program offers 10 free Salesforce licenses for eligible non-profits and deep discounts—up to 75%—on additional licenses, apps, and tools like Sales Cloud, Marketing Cloud, and Tableau.

Is there a cost for onboarding when using Salesforce discounts?
While licensing costs are discounted or free, onboarding services, including implementation support, may incur additional fees. Some Salesforce partners offer discounted onboarding for non-profits.

Can academic institutions access similar discounts?
Yes, Salesforce Education Cloud is specifically designed for academic organizations. It offers discounted tools for managing student data, admissions, and alumni relations.

Are Salesforce discounts negotiable beyond standard offerings?
Yes, organizations with larger teams or complex requirements can negotiate customized pricing. Emphasize your mission, scale of impact, and projected growth to increase leverage during negotiations.

Does Salesforce offer discounts on add-ons like Tableau or Pardot?
Discounted pricing applies to popular add-ons, but availability depends on your organization’s eligibility and negotiation. Many non-profits successfully secure additional discounts for tools critical to their operations.

What support options are available under discounted plans?
Discounted plans include basic support. For advanced support tiers, non-profits and academics can often negotiate lower rates based on their usage levels.

Can discounts apply to renewal contracts?
Yes, but it’s important to renegotiate before renewal. Highlight your usage data and impact metrics to strengthen your case for maintaining or improving discounts.

Are training and certifications included in these discounts?
Trailhead resources are free for all users, while live training sessions and certifications are discounted for eligible organizations. It’s often possible to bundle these with license agreements.

Do Salesforce discounts apply globally?
Yes, Salesforce offers discounts worldwide, but specific terms may differ depending on regional policies and local Salesforce offices.

How can small organizations benefit from Salesforce discounts?
Smaller non-profits can use the free licenses provided under the Power of Us program, which is ideal for managing donors, volunteers, and outreach campaigns without initial investment.

What factors can strengthen my negotiation position with Salesforce?
Highlight your organization’s mission, scale, and long-term potential as a Salesforce user. Provide clear data on how Salesforce tools will support your goals.

Are Salesforce integrations part of the discounted offerings?
Core integrations with tools like Mailchimp or QuickBooks are included. Discounts depend on negotiation and partner pricing for more complex custom integrations.

What happens if an organization’s eligibility changes?
Salesforce will review your account during renewal if your academic or non-profit status changes. You may lose access to discounts, so notify Salesforce of changes.

Can we negotiate discounts for additional users beyond the free licenses?
Large organizations often secure better rates for additional users by negotiating bundled deals or emphasizing their scale and potential for expanding Salesforce usage.