How We Compare to Other Salesforce® Nonprofit Consultants
Choosing a Salesforce® consultant is a big decision, especially if your team has been through an implementation that didn't quite fit its needs or has been managing Salesforce® on its own. If you're comparing Salesforce® consultants for nonprofits, we want to help you understand what Deep Why Design does differently and whether we're a good match for you.
What working with us looks like
One dedicated consultant from start to finish
Larger firms often staff projects with a team of people in different roles. We take a different approach. At Deep Why, you'll have the same consultant from your first project meeting to the last.
It's a bit like a professor's office hours. You have one expert who knows your organization inside and out, and who you can go to with questions. They'll always be upfront about their availability, and when your project needs specialized skills, the rest of our team is there to help.
Your system is built by people, and built to be understood
We don't hand off our designing and building tasks to AI. Our team takes the time to understand how your staff and program participants use the system day-to-day and keeps you in the loop along the way, so you always know where things stand.
When we build, we stick to standard Salesforce® features wherever we can. That way, if your admin leaves or our project wraps up, your team won't be left guessing.
We'll be honest when technology isn't the answer
Sometimes, nonprofits come to us with issues that aren’t actually technology-related. If your problem can be solved with a different workflow or communication best practices, we’ll let you know during discovery, before you spend money on technology you may not need.
Tools built for nonprofit budgets
Small nonprofits often have the same needs as large ones—but with a fraction of the budget. When you need more than what Salesforce®’s standard features can offer, we use tools from our sister company, Human Centered Apps, a Salesforce® ISV partner:
Framework lets your admin build easy-to-use screens for staff without writing code for a fraction of the cost of custom development.
aNote lets frontline staff write case notes in their own words and organizes them in Salesforce® with standardized tags for easy reporting.
How Deep Why compares to other Salesforce® consultants for nonprofits
| Evaluation criteria | Deep Why Design | Large implementation & managed services firms | Independent freelancers | DIY & AI tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who you work with | One dedicated consultant you meet before work begins, backed up with a full team if specialty skills are needed or if you have a shorter timeline | Often a project team with rotating roles | One person, usually without a team behind them | Your own staff |
| Target industries | Exclusively the nonprofit sector | Varies; nonprofit is often one vertical among several | Varies | None specifically; general-purpose guidance |
| How projects are scoped | Exploratory conversations and a team fit review before giving a quote | Formal scoping, often sized for larger budgets | Varies widely | No outside scoping |
| Ongoing help without a managed services contract | Offered through our Office Hours program | Usually requires a managed services contract | Depends on the freelancer's availability | Self-serve only |
| System ownership | Standard features first, with ongoing support for everything we build | Varies; custom code can create vendor dependency | Documentation varies | You own it but may not know how to manage ongoing issues without documentation |
| Complex needs without fully custom code | Offers Framework and aNote | Typically custom development or third-party apps | Typically custom code | Often limited to out-of-the-box features |
| Honest pushback when tech isn't the fix | Built into our discovery process and used throughout our engagement | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Who Deep Why is (and isn't) the right fit for
We do our best work with nonprofits that care about their technology and want to work through problems together. Being upfront about whether we’d be a good fit helps both of us.
Deep Why is a great fit if:
You want to truly understand your system, not just have one built for you
You're eager to learn and open to being challenged
You have a clear goal, but are open about the path to get there
Your organization's values show up in how you actually work
You need ongoing expert help, but not a full managed services contract
You like a collaborative engagement
You want process design support
We're probably not the right fit if:
You're hoping new technology will solve communication or process challenges inside your team
You need a large team available around the clock
You want someone to build exactly what's specified without asking questions
Frequently asked questions about Deep Why
Should a nonprofit hire an independent Salesforce® consultant or a large Salesforce® implementation firm?
It depends on your needs. Large firms can suit major rollouts. Smaller and midsize nonprofits often benefit from partnering with a single, dedicated consultant who learns their programs and offers flexible ongoing support.
What happens to our Salesforce® system after our project with Deep Why ends?
It stays fully yours. Because we document what we build and favor standard Salesforce® features, your staff can pick up right where we left off.
Can Deep Why fix a Salesforce® system another firm built?
Yes. We regularly help nonprofits repair existing implementations that don't work for their staff. We'll start by understanding how your current system was built and how it's causing issues now.
No. Your consultant is backed by the full Deep Why team, who can contribute specialized expertise to your project. You’ll simply get one go-to point person who knows everything about your work.
Will I get less support working with one consultant instead of a team?
Does Deep Why use AI to build Salesforce® systems?
Yes. We work with organizations that already use Salesforce® and those considering it. In our first conversation, we'll talk through your current tools and whether Salesforce® is the right fit for your needs.
Do we need a managed services contract for ongoing Salesforce® help?
Not with Deep Why. Our Office Hours program gives you a standing line to expert help without signing on for full managed services. For instance, we can provide guidance on governance, design and execute business process changes, help with ongoing reporting needs, and more.
Find out if we’re the right fit
Whenever you're ready, tell us a little about your organization and what's on your mind. We'll give you an honest sense of whether we're the right fit.