Embracing Change: Your Path to foundationConnect Replacement

“Change is the only constant in life.” – Heraclitus

In the dynamic world of nonprofit technology, change is inevitable. With Salesforce retiring foundationConnect on January 31, 2026, and subscriptions no longer renewable after January 31, 2025, organizations are facing an impending transition. This presents a unique opportunity to leverage change for greater social impact. Though 2025 may seem distant, we urge you to start embarking on this transformative journey now. By embracing future possibilities and making strategic decisions today, you can position your organization to thrive in an evolving landscape. Let us guide you through the process of replacing foundationConnect, instilling confidence and providing the insights you need for a brighter future.

Together, we’ll navigate the complexities of change, transforming uncertainty into opportunity. We firmly believe that every moment counts as we work towards a future where your organization can make an even greater difference. Through this blog, we aim to guide you in replacing foundationConnect, offering expert advice, exploring options, and showcasing the transformative potential of this transition. Join us on a journey of growth and innovation as we unlock a future of radically better impact, empowering your organization to create lasting change.

foundationConnect Overview: 

foundationConnect is a trusted grants management solution that streamlines the entire grant process and has been implemented by Exponent Partners since 2010. From application and review to payment and reporting, foundationConnect brings all the necessary functionalities together in one place. With features like the grantee community portal, application discovery, pre-application eligibility screening, grant history, and grantee communication, grants managers can focus on impactful work while grantees deliver more on their missions. The system’s user-friendly interface and affordable licensing costs have made it an appealing choice for nonprofits. Notably, foundationConnect’s custom grantee portal builder has been one of its most impactful features since it enables administrators to create personalized application forms for various grant types, maximizing flexibility and enhancing the user experience. However, as all good things must come to an end, it’s time to explore what lies ahead.

Finding Your Ideal foundationConnect Replacement:

As foundationConnect bids farewell, a new era of nonprofit technology emerges, brimming with opportunities for transformative impact. From the versatile new Nonprofit Cloud for Grantmaking to fully customized builds on the Salesforce platform, partial custom builds using Outbound Funds, and the innovative Amp Impact by Vera Solutions, a range of replacement solutions tailored to your organization’s unique needs await exploration. 

You may find yourself pondering, “which solution is right for us?” When embarking on the journey to replace foundationConnect, it’s vital to assess key factors that influence your organization’s requirements. Our experts can help you assess the complexity of your grants management processes, the requirements for impact reporting, currency conversion, approval processes, community impact, portal functionality, and application/reporting forms. It’s important to consider factors such as integration needs, your willingness to migrate to a new Salesforce instance, budget and timeline constraints, the impact on other uses of Salesforce, lifetime licensing costs, and the long-term supportability of the chosen solution.

With over a decade of expertise in implementing various grants management solutions, the experienced team at Exponent Partners can guide you through this landscape. We can help you navigate the complexities of adapting your systems as we’ve done for countless others. Take a look at this recent case study, “William Penn Foundation Re-Launches Salesforce Without foundationConnect Package” and then connect with our experts to unlock a future of radically better impact.

When to Make the Move:

“When is the right time to transition from foundationConnect?” and “What does this mean for my organization?” These common questions often linger in the minds of nonprofit leaders. It’s important to note that Salesforce will no longer support foundationConnect after January 31, 2026, and subscriptions will not be renewable after January 31, 2025. This impending change requires strategic planning and decisive action. Just like preparing for a move to a new home, there are essential steps to take. It’s time to start packing your boxes, hiring a moving company, and decluttering your space. We’ll be there to guide you through the transition process, helping you determine the optimal timing for your move and empowering you to seize the transformative potential of this change. Together, let’s make this transition a smooth and successful journey.

Taking Action Today for a Better Tomorrow:

To embrace change, action is paramount. While Exponent Partners offers expert strategic planning and support, there are proactive steps you can take internally to ensure a successful transition. Here are some practical steps you can take today, to ensure you’re ready for a better tomorrow. 

• Conduct a thorough review of your business processes: Assess your current workflows, identify inefficiencies, and streamline your operations for improved efficiency.
• Establish clear organizational priorities: Define or revisit your organization’s goals and align them with your vision and mission. Prioritize your initiatives to ensure a focused approach to change.
• Evaluate pain points and successes: Identify areas that need improvement and build upon past successes. Catalog your experiences to create a stronger foundation for the future.
• Assess historical data: Dive into your data to gain insights about your usage. Consider what information is essential to retain and evaluate whether data cleanup is necessary before migrating to your new system.
• Create a budget: Develop a comprehensive budget that includes costs associated with the transition, such as training, implementation, and ongoing support. Having a clear financial plan will help you allocate resources effectively. 

Together, and with these initial steps taken on the path to success, we can turn change into an opportunity for growth and lasting impact. 

How Exponent Partners Can Empower Your Journey:

Navigating change requires guidance from experienced hands. Exponent Partners, your trusted strategic partner, stands ready to empower your journey of transformation. To ensure a seamless transition during this time of change, we can offer you many paths but we recommend starting with our Systems Planning Engagement. 

During the Systems Planning process, we provide the expertise and support needed to lay a solid foundation for your journey. This strategic approach breaks the overall replacement project into manageable tasks, minimizing complexity and maximizing efficiency. Our Systems Planning Engagement includes a range of deliverables, such as a detailed discovery of your grants management business processes, technical assessment, data migration analysis, business process flows, and technical requirements documentation. However, what you truly gain from this engagement is the confidence and peace of mind that you’re on the right path. We can help you navigate the complexities of change, ensuring that you have the necessary systems and tools to thrive in an ever-evolving world. 

Let us be your strategic partner as you embark on this transformative journey. Together, we’ll empower your organization and unlock its full potential, driving lasting impact. Contact us to learn more.