When using NPSP, how should the organization manage common relationships like spouses?

When managing common relationships in NPSP, such as spouses, adding them as Relationship entries manually is the most straightforward and effective method. This approach allows organizations to easily track and manage the relationships between household members directly within the Salesforce system.

By entering spouse relationships manually, organizations benefit from straightforward visibility into interactions, communications, and affiliations between individuals. This method also allows for easy reporting and management of household dynamics, which is crucial for understanding donor behaviors and crafting personalized outreach strategies.

While the other options may provide some utility in specific situations, they are not as direct or efficient for managing typical household relationships. Custom Relationship record types could complicate the relationship structure without providing added benefits for common relationships such as spouses. Utilizing Affiliation entries, on the other hand, is more suitable for organizational memberships or specific affiliations rather than personal relationships. Developing a process for deceased relationships is important in managing sensitive data, but it addresses different needs. Thus, the manual entry of Relationship entries is optimal for maintaining clarity and simplicity in household management.