Enhancing Cybersecurity Readiness in Non-Profit Organizations Through Collaborative Research and Innovation—A Systematic Literature Review

Non-profit organizations (NPOs) are crucial for building equitable and thriving communities. The majority of NPOs are small, community-based organizations that serve local needs. Despite their significance, NPOs often lack the resources to manage cybersecurity effectively, and information about them is usually found in nonacademic or practitioner sources rather than in the academic literature. The recent surge in cyberattacks on NPOs underscores the urgent need for investment in cybersecurity readiness. The absence of robust safeguards and cybersecurity preparedness not only exposes NPOs to risks and vulnerabilities but also erodes trust and diminishes the value donors and volunteers place on them. Through this systematic literature review (SLR) mapping framework, the existing work on cyber threat assessment and mitigation is leveraged to make a framework and data collection plan to address the significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities faced by NPOs. The research aims to offer actionable guidance that NPOs can implement within their resource constraints to enhance their cybersecurity posture. This systematic literature review (SLR) adheres to PRISMA 2020 guidelines to examine the state of cybersecurity readiness in NPOs. The initial 4650 records were examined on 6 March 2025. We excluded studies that did not answer our research questions and did not discuss the cybersecurity readiness in NPOs. The quality of the selected studies was assessed on the basis of methodology, clarity, completeness, and transparency, resulting in the final number of 23 included studies. Further, 37 studies were added investigating papers that referenced relevant studies or that were referenced by the relevant studies. Results were synthesized through quantitative topic analysis and qualitative analysis to identify key themes and patterns. This study makes the following contributions: (i) identify and synthesize the top cybersecurity risks for NPOs, their service impacts, and mitigation methods; (ii) summarize affordable cybersecurity practices, with an emphasis on employee training and sector-specific knowledge gaps; (iii) analyze organizational and contextual factors (e.g., geography, budget, IT skills, cyber insurance, vendor dependencies) that shape cybersecurity readiness; and (iv) review and integrate existing assessment and resilience frameworks applicable to NPOs.