Services

Overview

The "digital divide" is a term coined to describe the socio-economic gap between communities that have access to technology and those which do not. Typically this term is used to describe the technological disparity between poor and rich countries throughout the world. Unfortunately, there is a similar gap occurring between the public and private sectors.

Idealist Consulting, with help from various private sector contributors, has developed five fundamental solutions designed to close this gap. By implementing this technology, you can expect to maximize your fundraising potential, enhance the promotional reach of your mission, and strengthen the internal and external communication of your organization. Below you may reference the services we provide. For specific information relating to one or more of our services, contact us.
 

Database Development

For a nonprofit to succeed, it must have a well defined mission and produce tangible results. Those elements are essential for a nonprofit to be attractive to funders, donors, volunteers and other potential supporters. A good database is designed to help organizations manage those elements unique to it. Idealist Consulting specializes in the Force.com platform including the Salesforce Nonprofit Starter Pack, Convio’s Common Ground, Click & Pledge, Foundation Grant Manager, Giving Power and Patron Manager, among others. Each of our database deployments can include the following:

Configuration: Idealist Consulting will transform your organization’s business process into a tangible database that can be utilized by the entire staff. Implementation strategy, coding, page layouts and reports are all considered to ensure that user interface, simplicity of use and overall appearance align with your expectations.

Data Migration: Moving data from one platform to another can be a challenging endeavor. Idealist Consulting will help move your data (regardless of platform) into your new database ensuring that your data is sorted, aligned and dupe-checked in a timely and efficient manner.

Training: You can’t reap the benefits of a robust database if you don’t know how to use it. Idealist Consulting can create training courses (virtual or onsite), tip sheets and user guides to help enhance user adoption and ultimately attain better “buy-in” from your users.

Integration: With help from Idealist Consulting you can integrate third party solutions into your database. Through our familiarity with middleware, point-to-point code and the AppExchange, you will be able to take full advantage of a custom “technology hub” where all information is accessible in one location, providing you with a comprehensive view of your organization’s data.

Web Design

Many nonprofits build a website only to utilize it as a descriptive billboard, but a website can be much more than that. By integrating your website with your database, you can create an ecosystem of technology that will not only increase fundraising and revenue potential, but enhance your ability to track and report the online relationships you develop with your staff, constituents, donors, members, volunteers and other interest groups. Each of our website development projects considers the following:

Discovery: Idealist Consulting will consider your marketing and outreach, business process, constituent base and design preferences in order to provide you with a website that fits with your overall online outreach goals and objectives.

Design: We will take what we learn from the discovery process and transform it into a fully functional website. Web content, page layouts, graphic design, color palette, navigation requirements, search engine needs and the capabilities of proposed CMS solutions are all considered to ensure your new website meets your expectations.

Content: A website is nothing without content. Idealist Consulting can assist your organization with the movement of all content from your legacy site. This includes backup of old files and migration of new web files to your new server. Idealist Consulting can also translate content into Spanish, providing your organization with a bi-lingual site for extended market reach.

Training: Management of your new website (through a Content Management System, or CMS) can be daunting. Idealist Consulting can create training courses (virtual or onsite), tip sheets and user guides to help enhance user adoption and ultimately attain better “buy-in” from your staff.

Support: Not all organizations have available tech staff, and many do not have the need for such specialized staff. Idealist Consulting can provide ongoing support and maintenance of your CMS so you can focus on your mission rather than upkeep of your site. 

Strategic Technical Assessment

Idealist Consulting’s Strategic Tech Assessments are designed to provide your organization with the information you need to analyze your budget, potential solutions, timeline and business processes to ensure an effective technology deployment. Each of our technical assessments includes the key deliverables needed for a well researched report which you can distribute to the decision makers within your organization. The result is enhanced clarity of perspective, direction, scope and budget related to your technology goals.

Budget: No tech assessment would be complete without a budget. Our tech assessments include a bid and scope to help you plan your budget accordingly. Most importantly, they provide you with traction on cost, which allows you to effectively shop for alternatives.

Solution Selection: Idealist Consulting will help you identify cost-effective solutions that suit the needs of your organization. Our recommended solutions are generally gifted or free to our clients and are selected by project based on each organization’s budget requirements and business process goals, as well as industry best practices.

Timelines: Timelines are essential to any project deployment. Staff availability, budget distribution and project deadlines must all be considered for an efficient project deployment. Our timelines include those factors and provide them in a straightforward format that’s easy to read and reference. 

Tech Support Agreement

You wanted Salesforce developer help without having to pay for a huge number of consulting hours up front. You wanted fast, comprehensive answers to your Salesforce questions. You wanted a pay-as-you go system to control unforeseen costs. We listened.

With Idealist Consulting’s Tech Support you get the developer help you need, only when you need it. Idealist Consulting’s Tech Support provides:

Pay-As-You-Go Billing: Consulting time with Salesforce certified consultants.

Accessible Salesforce Consultants: Get your technical questions answered within 48 hours by a certified Salesforce consultant.

Peace of Mind: Ongoing contractual relationship with certified consultants and developers, reducing the need for multiple SOWs and NDAs.

Tech Support includes 50 consulting hours. You utilize the hours you need for the project requirements you want, and are invoiced only for the hours you use. Idealist Consulting’s Tech Support is ideal for the accidental techie who is comfortable with the Salesforce platform, but needs a hand from time to time. You contact us, a qualified consultant contacts you, and your problem is solved. It’s that simple.
 

Salesforce Administrator Service

Most nonprofits simply have too much to do to devote a full time staffer to Salesforce administrator duties. More importantly, they often don’t require a full time staffer to act as administrator, or all the added expense that comes with a full time hire. They’re looking for another option.

To meet that need, we’re offering the Salesforce Administrator Service. Our Salesforce Administrators are remotely accessible, and are not full time staff, so concerns such as office space, benefits, office equipment and training do not apply. With our Salesforce Administrator Service, you can expect to reduce your database administration costs by up to 40%. Our Salesforce Administrators provide...

Customization: New fields, objects, page layouts, workflow rules, list views, etc.

Data entry: Detail section, related lists.

Data migration: Within the data management capabilities of the Salesforce.com platform.

Data hygiene: De-duplication, owner changes, address validation, etc.

Donation processing: Accounting reconciliation, acknowledgement letters, etc.

Report and dashboard development: Within Salesforce native functionality.

System analysis & project management: Problem research & resolution.

User training: Within Salesforce standard functionality.

Marketing: Campaigns, email templates, etc.

User administration: User setup, permissions, sharing rules, etc.

AppExchange installation: All apps that do not require custom eld development for deployment.

Case management & support processes.

Video Production

As a nonprofit, you're likely always looking for creative, innovative ways to get your message to your constituents.  With our video production services you can build a video that provides an effective medium for you to get your mission to the masses, at a low cost. Our video development process allows us to provide your organization with a simple, fast and affordable visual for you to share through newsletters, social media, websites and other promotional efforts.  Select from one of  five themes...

Nature: A theme for an environmental, natural or green movement focused organization.

Modern: An elegant theme with a simple, clean design.

Retro: An “old-school” theme to appeal to a more senior audience and/or organization.

Advocacy: A striking theme for civil rights and advocacy oriented organizations.

Cartoon: A theme with a fun, whimsical and approachable style.

Addtional customization and consulation for promotional efforts are avaialable as well.  Contact us directly to learn more.