Teaching Paper: Key Concepts in Agile Planning for Non-Profits

Agile methodologies are increasingly shaping non-profit project design and strategy, yet the specialized vocabulary of agile can be a barrier to adoption. This Teaching Paper provides a comprehensive glossary of key agile terms and concepts—ranging from foundational principles like the Agile Manifesto and iterative cycles to practical tools such as Scrum, Kanban, and MoSCoW prioritization. Each entry includes a clear definition and a note on its practical application in non-profit contexts, including community-driven projects, resource-constrained settings, and adaptive management environments. By translating agile terminology into accessible, practice-oriented language, the paper empowers teams to align around a shared understanding of agile thinking. It serves as both a conceptual reference for educators and a practical guide for practitioners integrating agile into non-profit strategy and operations.