Turning AI into Action: Real Salesforce Use Cases Nonprofits Can Run With

AI is no longer just a buzzword. It’s becoming a daily part of how we work. From streamlining communication to solving complex tasks, artificial intelligence is already making a difference in the nonprofit world. Salesforce is investing heavily in this future, with $1 billion already committed to AI innovation. But you don’t have to wait for what’s next—Agentforce and other AI-powered tools are here now and ready to help. 

In our previous article, “Getting Started with Agentforce: Salesforce’s AI Solution,” we detailed why this is the moment to start preparing your organization for AI. Now we’re shifting from planning to doing—showcasing real, practical ways nonprofits are already using artificial intelligence to boost efficiency and improve service. 

Let’s unpack what Agentforce and Salesforce’s other AI tools can do, why they’re ideal for nonprofits, and how organizations are reaping the benefits from simple, straightforward use cases that save time and improve service. 

What Is Agentforce? 

Agentforce is Salesforce’s latest advancement in AI—a tool designed to help organizations take action, not just get answers. Think of it as a smart teammate that understands plain language, can complete routine tasks, and even walk users through complex processes. 

Unlike a simple chatbot, Agentforce doesn’t stop at providing basic information. It can perform tasks like updating records, triggering workflows, sending emails, and more because it’s fully integrated with your Salesforce data and processes. That means the AI agents can pull from both structured and unstructured data, such as internal documents, standard operating procedures (SOPs), or case records to give more accurate, helpful responses. 

Built-in guardrails ensure these agents stay within safe boundaries. You can define exactly what each agent is allowed to do, how it can operate, and when it should hand off to a human. This makes it easy to start small with an individual use case and scale up as your team gets more comfortable. 

For nonprofits, Agentforce is a powerful way to reduce time spent in systems and increase time focused on mission-driven work. 

What About Salesforce’s Other AI Tools? 

Agentforce is part of Salesforce’s broader AI ecosystem, but it plays a unique role. While tools like Predictive AI offer predictions and Prompt Builder offer content suggestions, Agentforce brings autonomy to the table. It’s where reasoning meets action. 

Here’s how other tools fit in: 

• Einstein for Analytics and Predictions – Offers scoring models, predictive insights, and actionable recommendations in areas like fundraising, engagement, and service. 
• Einstein Copilot (Internal Agent) – A conversational interface allowing users to interact with Salesforce using natural language.
• Prompt Builder – Powers content generation like donor emails, case updates, and summaries to save time.
• Einstein for Marketing Cloud – Personalizes content, optimizes send times, and automates campaign decisions. 
• AI-powered Flows – Enables logic-based automation informed by AI-driven insights. 

Together, these tools support your organization’s decision-making and communication. But Agentforce stands out as the AI-powered execution engine able to take the next step on its own or side by side with your team. In short, while other AI tools help interpret data, Agentforce takes it a step further by acting on it.

Four Real Ways Nonprofits Are Using AI Right Now

Gameday Logistics: Volunteer Management at Events

It’s the week of your organization’s biggest fundraiser. Hundreds of volunteers are scheduled. You’ve posted instructions, sent out emails, and updated your website—but the phones are still ringing with people asking, “Where do I park?” or “What does my role do again?” 

Instead of consuming valuable staff time before the big event to field questions (that already have answers), one nonprofit deployed an AI agent on its website and a dedicated SMS channel to manage gameday logistics. The AI takes the question and finds the answer using a mix of structured and unstructured data sources provided by the organization. Volunteers get instant answers via chat or SMS—no staff interruption needed.

Key takeaway: Agentforce is ideal for reducing repetitive volunteer inquiries by sourcing critical information on demand.

Employee Manual Management: No More Hundred-Page Searches

Your team members have access to a 140-page manual. It details nearly every scenario and what to do. The problem? No one wants to read it, especially in the middle of a fast-moving situation that requires a quick response. 

For one nonprofit, staff were constantly addressing questions from field coordinators, even when the answers already existed in the manual. To solve the problem, the organization enlisted a Salesforce AI agent to know the handbook better than anyone else. The agent scans the manual’s content for the right answer and offers a direct response in plain language. If the answer isn’t available, it creates a case in Salesforce for staff intervention.

Key takeaway: Turn dense documentation into helpful, self-service advice with Agentforce. 

Providing the Right Response: Answering Tough Questions

Frontline staff often field tough questions or face challenging scenarios from clients and constituents. Plus, each new hire requires training to avoid knowledge gaps. Instead of searching for answers manually or escalating issues, one savvy nonprofit is using an AI agent internally to help. 

When a staff member opens a case in Salesforce, the AI agent checks standard operating procedures, past case data, and relevant notes to recommend the right response. The employee becomes armed with applicable information to take the appropriate course of action. However, the AI sidekick goes even further by drafting the reply email. Now staff can answer questions and close cases faster and more consistently according to the nonprofit’s SOPs. 

Key takeaway: Let AI guide staff decisions and manage the next steps automatically.

Multilingual Form Translation: Reaching All Constituents

Many nonprofits serve diverse communities but can’t afford full-time translation services. One organization solved this by using AI to detect the language of an incoming form or message and recording both that language and English. 

The process happens right inside Salesforce with the translated version saved for future use. It’s a simple way to make forms more inclusive without breaking the bank. 

Key takeaway: Leverage an AI agent to auto-translate form responses to reach more constituents in their preferred language. 

Notice some themes? Agentforce AI agents offer big benefits to nonprofits of all sizes. 

• Self-Service Support – Reduce routine inquiries and manual tasks with 24/7 AI assistance.
• Consistent Delivery – AI-guided workflows ensure responses align with SOPs and existing data, improving accuracy and speed.
• Access and Inclusion – AI agents support multilingual translation to help your services become more accessible to diverse audiences. 
• Knowledge and Resources – Agentforce puts your internal documents and manuals to work, turning static content into dynamic answers. 

These are just a few of the many ways nonprofits are already seeing value from Agentforce. Have ideas popping into your head after reading about these trailblazers? With the right setup, Agentforce can help your team do more of what matters with less time spent in the weeds.

Turn AI Ideas into Action with Galvin

AI can feel like a big leap. But with the right partner, it’s a jump guaranteed to land you on solid ground—complete with tools that scale, adapt, and support your mission every step of the way. AI agents in Salesforce aren’t just a trend, they’re a practical, cost-effective way to support your team and better serve your community. 

At Galvin, we specialize in helping nonprofits prepare for and implement tools like Agentforce. That means helping you identify the best use case, setting up the platform, training your team, and translating Salesforce ideas into reality. Start with one agent. Prove the value. Grow from there. We’ll be right by your side. 

Have an AI agent idea you want to implement? Let’s get to work. 

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