Hello Salesforce Flow. Farewell Workflows and Process Builder.

As Bob Dylan said, “The times they are a-changin.” Are you still relying on Workflow Rules and Process Builder to automate tasks in your nonprofit’s Salesforce org? (Hint: if you’re reading this you almost certainly are!) It’s time for a transition. Salesforce is retiring these trusty tools, but don’t worry – you’ve got time, help, and a more powerful and versatile successor is ready to take the reins: Salesforce Flow.

Why the Shift to Flow?

Salesforce is consolidating its automation capabilities into a single, robust platform: Flow. This move offers several advantages for nonprofits:

• Increased Power and Flexibility: Salesforce Flow provides more complex automation options, allowing you to build sophisticated workflows that go beyond the limitations of Workflows and Process Builder.
• Streamlined Experience: Flow now offers a more user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality and a wider range of pre-built components.
• Enhanced Efficiency: Flow allows you to automate more tasks with fewer steps, saving time and resources.

What Does Flow Mean for Nonprofits?

While existing Workflows and Process Builders will continue to function for a while, Salesforce will cease support for them by December 31, 2025. This means no more bug fixes or updates. You could start seeing breaks in your Workflows within a few weeks of support retirement. Who wants to clean up that mess?! Therefore, it’s crucial your nonprofit starts migrating automations to Flow sooner rather than later.

Migrating to Flow:

There may not be a button to move all your workflows auto-magically, but there are resources to help you make a smooth transition:

• Migration Tools: Salesforce provides tools to convert some of your existing Workflows and Process Builders into Flows, giving you a head start.
• Trailhead: Explore Salesforce’s free online learning platform, Trailhead, for comprehensive Flow tutorials and modules.
• Community Support: Engage with the Salesforce community forums for guidance and support from fellow users and experts.
• Salesforce Workflows & Process Builder, Plan for the Future Nonprofits: Our Previous blog post about thinking through your new Flows and preparing for the transition.
• BackOffice Thinking: Consider partnering with us for expert assistance with migration and Flow development. Read our tips for working with leadership to get the support you need.

Embracing the Power of Flow:

Flow offers a wealth of possibilities for automating your nonprofit’s processes. Here are some examples:

• Automated Donor Acknowledgements: Send personalized thank-you emails to donors based on their giving history and preferences.
• Task Management: Assign tasks to staff members, set deadlines, and send reminders for upcoming tasks.
• Major Gift Cultivation: Track interactions with major donors and automate tasks like follow-up reminders and proposal generation.
• And more!

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help!

While the retirement of Workflows and Process Builder may seem daunting and may take some time, it’s an opportunity for your nonprofit to embrace a more powerful and versatile automation tool in Salesforce Flow. Please send to your support email or contact us to get the conversation started. You don’t have to do this alone!