How are Nonprofit Cloud and Philanthropy Cloud different?

At first glance, Salesforce.org's Nonprofit Cloud and Philanthropy Cloud seem similar in purpose and function -- both are platforms for charitable causes. However, each serves a different function.

Nonprofit Cloud -- a CRM for nonprofts -- launched in June 2018 and is based on the open data architecture of Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack. This cloud is specifically configured for the collection and management of donations, as well as coordination of fundraising operations, volunteer management and program management using collaboration-oriented interorganization community features.

Its three process domains include engagement, fundraising and program management. Einstein Analytics is baked in, and a nonprofit bank of apps is available.

One of the cloud's strengths is collaboration among the organizations that use it -- nonprofits. These organizations are able to share their experiences, methods, ideas, successes and failures in a kind of meta-user forum for organizational success.

Philanthropy Cloud is similarly focused on engagement and communication but with a different mission and in a different domain. It is intended to be used by the corporate enterprise to inspire and encourage volunteerism in the workplace and to cultivate corporate values by empowering employees to pursue worthwhile societal contribution.

Like Nonprofit Cloud, Salesforce Einstein is in the mix to help match employees with causes that interest them the most, using organizations listed in the GuideStar database. Analytics are available to offer feedback on volunteer impact, and the cloud collects and manages giving histories for participants. Employees can also seek out like-minded colleagues for creating and coordinating group efforts.

Philanthropy Cloud exists in collaboration with United Way.