In the world of Salesforce, we often talk about “The Community.” But what does that actually look like in practice? I recently sat down with our For Purpose Practice Lead, Nicole Aebi-Moyo, to chat about my experience at the latest Salesforce Community Sprint.
If you’ve never been to a Sprint, you might imagine a room full of developers hunched over keyboards. While there is certainly some of that, the reality is far more vibrant, inclusive, and, most importantly, impactful for the Not-for-Profit (NFP) sector.
What exactly is a Community Sprint?
At its heart, a Community Sprint is about bringing people together from across the Salesforce ecosystem to solve real-world challenges. It’s a mix of partners like us at SalesFix, Salesforce employees, and, crucially, the customers themselves.
In fact, users of Salesforce make up the majority of the room. This was my second Sprint, and this time it spanned two days: a timeframe that I felt was perfect for moving past just talking and actually getting stuff done.
The Power of Self-Organisation
One of the most inspiring aspects of the Sprint is how it starts. We begin by identifying what’s working and, more importantly, what’s not. We write these ideas on post-it notes, which are then grouped into themes on boards.
If there is an area you are particularly passionate about, you simply volunteer for that group. Some groups tackled high-level challenges, like creating a “dictionary” to translate complex Salesforce terms into language that makes sense for volunteer management in the NFP space.
I decided to join a team working on an existing app on the AppExchange. Even though I had no prior experience with that specific app, I was excited to jump in and help out.
Tangible Results in 48 Hours
The beauty of the Sprint is the “Agile” approach. By the end of the second day, my team of about 10 people had achieved an incredible amount:
- Documentation: Six of us focused on updating critical user guides.
- Localisation: A team member who spoke multiple languages validated foreign language translations.
- Technical Updates: Our more technically-minded members worked directly with the app’s original creator on developer tasks.
- Branding: We refreshed the branding and updated the video content.
By the time we wrapped up on day two, our changes were already live on the AppExchange. It was so rewarding to be part of a team with such a clear vision and a tangible “to-do” list.
Why you Don't Need to be a 'Geek' to Attend
If you’re reading this thinking, “I’m not technical enough for that,” think again. Of the 64 attendees at this Sprint, 57% were first-timers, and few were developers or coders.
The Sprint thrives on diversity of thought. You don’t need to know everything about the software; if you understand fundraising or your daily NFP operations, you have something valuable to contribute. There truly is a role for everyone, whether you are a system admin, a fundraiser, or a partner.
Keeping the Momentum
The work doesn’t just disappear once the room clears. There is a “Commons Community Sprint” website that tracks these global events, documenting what was achieved and providing links to resources on GitHub and the AppExchange for the entire community to use.
At SalesFix, we are big believers in the power of the Salesforce community to drive social impact. Whether it’s through a formal Sprint or a casual User Group meeting, the goal is always the same: solving challenges together so NFPs can focus on what they do best: changing the world.
Are you ready to jump into the next Community Sprint? I’d encourage you not to be scared and just go for it!
Bethany Smith
SalesFix For Purpose
Subject Matter Expert
Bethany Smith is a Senior Salesforce Consultant and Not-for-Profit Subject Matter Expert at SalesFix. With over four years of experience driving digital transformation within the ecosystem, Bethany specialises in bridging the gap between complex technology and mission-driven impact.
Drawing on her direct experience working within the nonprofit sector, she combines deep operational empathy with technical mastery to help organisations navigate the evolving landscape of Agentforce and AI-driven fundraising. Bethany is dedicated to ensuring that every Salesforce implementation, from Donor Management to Stewardship delivers measurable growth and deeper constituent engagement.
Have a question for Bethany? Reach out here