Omaha Zoo Foundation
NPSP Implementation & Raiser's Edge Migration
- Client: Omaha Zoo Foundation
- Industry: Nonprofit · Arts & Culture
- Salesforce products: Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP)
- Services: Implementation, Data Migration
- Previous system: Raiser's Edge / Raiser's Edge NXT (Blackbaud)
The Omaha Zoo Foundation, dedicated to supporting world-class exhibits and conservation efforts, faced a challenge common among nonprofits: the need to migrate from Raiser's Edge to a more versatile, donor-centric system that could scale with their mission. With Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) as the goal, the Omaha Zoo Foundation sought Arkus’ expertise for a smooth, strategic transition to their new platform.
The Why
As the Foundation grew, so did the demand for a data platform that could offer transparency, security, and functionality tailored to both donors and internal teams. Raiser’s Edge had become a limiting factor, especially as the organization looked to streamline workflows, introduce recurring donations, and enhance data-driven decision-making across departments. The migration required careful planning, comprehensive data cleansing, and a detailed roadmap for integrating critical tools like Outlook 365 and Donor Search with Insights.
Our Solution
Arkus collaborated with the Omaha Zoo Foundation to lead an end-to-end migration, configuring Salesforce NPSP within Lightning Experience to provide an enhanced user experience. The project included:
- Data Migration and Cleansing – With Arkus’ support, Omaha Zoo Foundation successfully migrated organizational and individual records, improving data accuracy and enabling the Foundation to streamline outreach and donor management.
- Integrations – Arkus integrated essential third-party tools such as, NCOA Update, Centaman, Apsona, and established connectivity with LaunchPadLab for donation processing. This configuration allowed the Foundation to accept and manage recurring and one-time donations seamlessly, as well as sync ticket and membership data to create a full picture of a donor's engagement.
- Custom Reporting and Dashboard Creation – To equip the Foundation with actionable insights, Arkus created customized reports and dashboards, covering donor retention, giving patterns, campaign performance, and acknowledgments.
- Training and Knowledge Transfer – Arkus ensured the Omaha Zoo Foundation team was well-prepared to manage the new system with in-depth training sessions, tailored for both admins and end users.
A notable client remark highlighted the effectiveness of Arkus' project management: "I highly recommend Arkus to anyone moving to SF-NPSP. We were moving from RE to SF and were very lucky to have Arkus help us make the transition. Arkus had background in RE and nonprofit operations that helped us 'translate' between RE and SF-NPSP. They were great communicators as well, and weekly updates on the project status were very helpful."
Our Results
The collaboration with Arkus has had a transformative impact:
- Enhanced Donor Engagement: With improved data transparency and reporting, the Foundation now reaches out to donors with more personalized and timely updates.
- Increased Efficiency: Manual processes have been significantly reduced, saving the Foundation hours of operational time each month.
- Growth in Donation Potential: The integration of LaunchPadLab and Centaman opened new avenues for sustainable funding, helping the Foundation to better support its conservation mission.
- Empowered Staff: Training provided by Arkus has empowered the team to independently manage and optimize their Salesforce instance, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making.
Looking Ahead
The Omaha Zoo Foundation now has a robust platform to support its growth and conservation efforts. With Arkus as a trusted partner, the Foundation is well-positioned to drive further engagement and expand its donor base. This partnership has not only met the immediate goals but set the Foundation on a path of scalable success with Salesforce at the core of its operations.
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