Agile in Nonprofits Agile in Nonprofits
Helping Nonprofits Create Twice the Impact in Half the Time at a Sustainable Pace
Free Agile & Scrum Resources for Nonprofits | Guides, Templates & Checklists
These free Agile and Scrum resources are designed specifically for nonprofit teams who want to increase their impact, reduce burnout, and build a more sustainable pace of work. Unlike most Agile guides built for tech companies, everything here is written in a nonprofit context. Led by Scrum Trainer Diane H. Leonard, GPC, RST, the Agile in Nonprofits team has helped organizations across the country transform how they work, and these free downloads are your starting point.
Getting Started with Scrum Checklist
Ready to bring Scrum into your nonprofit, but not sure where to begin? This free checklist guides your team through every step of launching an Agile practice, from setting up your first Sprint to establishing team roles. It’s designed specifically for nonprofits, not tech companies, so the language and examples will actually resonate with your team.
Download this free Scrum checklist and take the guesswork out of getting started.
Glossary of Scrum Guide
Most Scrum glossaries are written for software developers; this one is written for nonprofits. Our free Glossary of Scrum guide translates Agile and Scrum vocabulary into plain language specifically for a nonprofit setting, covering key terms, abbreviations, and definitions your whole team can actually use. It’s an essential reference for anyone new to Agile or anyone supporting a team through an Agile transformation.
Download this free nonprofit Scrum glossary and get everyone speaking the same language.
Scrum Role Chart
Clarity around roles is one of the most important foundations of a successful Scrum team, and this free Scrum Role Chart makes it visual. The chart is designed to help nonprofit teams map out who fills each Scrum role so that everyone understands their responsibilities from day one. Simple, clear, and built with nonprofits in mind, this free download will give your Scrum team the role clarity it needs to move quickly.
Agile Value Facilitation Guide
Agile isn’t just a set of practices; it’s built on a foundation of shared values. This free facilitation guide helps nonprofit leaders and Scrum Masters lead meaningful conversations with their teams about the Agile and Scrum values that matter most to your organization. With structured discussion prompts and facilitation tips, it makes those conversations productive rather than abstract.
Download this free Agile facilitation guide and help your team build a values-driven working culture.
Retrospective Guide
Retrospectives are one of the most powerful tools in the Scrum framework, and one of the most underutilized. This free Retrospective Guide gives nonprofit teams everything they need to run engaging, productive Retrospectives, including facilitation tips, custom templates, and step-by-step instructions for using them. Whether you’re running your first Retro or looking to freshen up your approach, this guide has you covered. Download this free nonprofit Retrospective toolkit and start turning every Sprint into a learning opportunity.
Team Working Agreement
High-performing Scrum teams don’t just happen; they’re built on clear, shared expectations. This free Team Working Agreement guide leads your nonprofit team through the process of creating a working agreement that sets the tone for how you collaborate, communicate, and hold each other accountable. It includes your team’s favorite ready-to-use templates to make the process fast and practical. Download this free guide and give your nonprofit team the foundation it needs to work better together.
Lean Canvas Action Guide
The Lean Canvas is a powerful one-page tool for clarifying your nonprofit’s strategy, and this free guide makes it accessible for any team. With real nonprofit examples and a blank canvas template included, you’ll be able to map out your program or organizational strategy in a format that drives action and alignment. It’s practical, visual, and built specifically in the nonprofit context. Download this free nonprofit Lean Canvas guide and turn your big ideas into a clear, actionable plan.
Toyota Kata Guide
Toyota Kata is a structured approach to continuous improvement , and it translates remarkably well to nonprofit operations. This free step-by-step guide leads your team through the Toyota Kata framework, helping you set a target condition, identify obstacles, and build a disciplined improvement practice into your everyday work. It’s ideal for nonprofit leaders and Scrum Masters looking to build a culture of ongoing learning. Download this free Toyota Kata guide and give your nonprofit a proven framework for improving every day.
Scrum Event Checklist
The five events of the Scrum framework are the heartbeat of an Agile team, and this free checklist makes sure your nonprofit runs each one with intention. It breaks down the purpose, structure, and key elements of every Scrum event so that your team always knows what to expect and how to show up prepared. It is a great reference tool for new Scrum teams and a handy refresher for experienced ones. Download this free Scrum events checklist and run tighter, more productive Sprints.
Backlog Guide
A well-managed backlog is the engine of a high-functioning Scrum team, and this free guide helps your nonprofit build one from scratch. It leads you through the beginning stages of backlog creation, helping your team prioritize work, write clear user stories, and maintain a backlog that actually reflects your goals. It is practical, step-by-step, and designed with nonprofit teams in mind. Download this free nonprofit backlog guide and bring order and clarity to your team’s work.
Sustainable Pace Guide
Nonprofit burnout is real, and Agile offers a better way. This free Sustainable Pace Guide gives your team data-driven methods to monitor workload, set realistic expectations, and protect the long-term health and effectiveness of your team. It’s grounded in Agile principles and tailored to the unique pressures that nonprofit professionals face. Download this free guide and start building a work culture where your team can thrive, not just survive.
Building Buy-In for Agile in Your Nonprofit
The biggest barrier to Agile adoption in nonprofits isn’t the framework; it’s getting your team and leadership on board. This free guide gives you a practical, step-by-step approach to championing Agile within your organization, addressing common concerns, and building the internal buy-in you need to make the transformation stick. Whether you’re pitching Agile to your board or your program staff, this guide prepares you with the right language and strategy. Download this free guide and become the Agile champion your nonprofit needs.
Community of Practice
The Agile in Nonprofits community is growing! Which is wonderful, but that also means the community needs ways in which to connect and collaborate. A community of practice is, in essence, a group of people talking together about a shared goal.
Our community of practice comes together in a few different ways, we have a Facebook group, office hours, and a book club. For the Facebook group, we have gathered a group of like minded people who are interested in growing in Agile. Our office hours are a place where once a month, anyone can meet with other Agilists including our Product Owner, Diane H. Leonard, STSI to share ideas and ask each other questions. Lastly, we have a quarterly book club meeting that discusses The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time by Jeff Sutherland and The Scrum Field Guide by J.J. Sutherland.
Podcast Resouces
Agile Resources We Use
Credential Resources
