Salesforce Unveils Agentforce Accelerator to Boost Nonprofit ImpactÂ
Salesforce announced Salesforce Accelerator — Agents for Impact, a new initiative designed to help nonprofits harness Agentforce, a suite of tools that enable organizations to build and deploy AI agents that can autonomously take action across any function. Salesforce Accelerator — Agents for Impact will provide technology, funding, and expertise to help nonprofits build and customize AI agents, enabling them to improve operational efficiency and scale community impact in the AI-driven future.
Why it matters: As nonprofits face both staffing shortages and burnout, AI agents can help them augment their teams to offer more effective programs, helping to address some of the world’s greatest social and environmental challenges.
- Agents are at the heart of this transformation, providing 24/7 support that enables nonprofits to address critical issues like poverty, natural disasters, hunger, and climate change — challenges that don’t stop when humans clock out.
- Agents can autonomously handle tasks like donor engagement, volunteer coordination, fundraising, and logistics, ensuring nonprofits are always available.
- However, building AI solutions can be out of reach for many nonprofits.
How the accelerator works: Salesforce Accelerator — Agents for Impact bridges this gap by supporting nonprofits with technology, funding, and pro bono expertise to help them innovate and develop AI-powered agent solutions:
- Solutions selected for the accelerator will be evaluated for feasibility and alignment with Salesforce products to ensure the best fit and maximum impact.
- The accelerator will give $2 million in grants to a cohort of nonprofits, and a two-year contract of donated Salesforce products to support their vision.
- Selected organizations will also receive six months of intensive coaching from Salesforce experts and pro bono volunteers, plus 12 months of one-on-one consulting access on topics ranging from generative AI, product design, and solution architecture.
- Nonprofits in any focus area can express interest in participating in the accelerator starting October 29, 2024. Selected organizations will be notified in December.
Fast fact: Salesforce Accelerator — Agents for Impact is the fifth accelerator Salesforce has launched since 2022. It builds on a body of programming focused on sourcing innovative ideas and providing organizations with critical support in the areas of AI, education, climate action, and nature.
- To date, Salesforce has committed $9 million to help nonprofits accelerate their missions and scale impactful solutions through its accelerator program.
Scaling proven success: From education to climate action, nonprofits from previous accelerators are already leveraging Agentforce to streamline operations, increase efficiency, and drive impact:
- College Possible is using AI agents to guide college coaches to better serve students with resources and deadlines, including helping them navigate the financial aid application process. Students and college coaches will also soon have 24/7 access to agents to answer questions and escalate issues.
- Good360 is optimizing its disaster response product placement technology with agents, with disaster response being a key focus, ensuring donated goods reach the right communities efficiently, reducing waste and emissions.
- Per Scholas is leveraging agents to help learners and coaches draft resumes as a foundation for further refinement.
The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with NonProfit PRO. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of NonProfit PRO.
