Measuring Resilience in Non-Profit Organisations: Tools, Approaches, and Challenges

Measuring resilience in non-profit organisations is vital for translating an abstract concept into actionable strategies for sustainability and adaptive learning. This article reviews the principal tools, frameworks, and methodological challenges associated with resilience measurement at both individual and organisational levels. Psychological instruments such as the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) capture personal adaptability and recovery capacities, while organisational indicators assess flexibility, redundancy, governance quality, and learning systems. Complementary qualitative and participatory methods illuminate cultural and relational dimensions often excluded from quantitative metrics. The article advocates for mixed-method approaches that integrate scales, indicators, and narratives to achieve comprehensive, context-sensitive insight—particularly in cross-cultural environments. It concludes that resilience measurement should serve as a mechanism for empowerment and organisational learning, rather than a purely technical exercise, aligning evaluation with the non-profit sector’s ethical, participatory, and mission-driven ethos.