Conceptualizing Resilience in the Non-Profit Sector: Multi-Level Perspectives and Critical Debates

Resilience is increasingly recognised as a critical determinant of sustainability and mission effectiveness in the non-profit sector. Conceptualised across individual, team, organisational, and systemic levels, it reflects both psychological adaptability and institutional capacity to sustain operations under uncertainty. This article synthesises frameworks from psychology, systems theory, and socio-ecological research to build a comprehensive understanding of resilience while addressing political, ethical, and cultural debates. It cautions against reducing resilience to individual coping, highlighting the need for collective, justice-oriented, and context-sensitive approaches. Cross-cultural analysis reveals how Western traditions privilege personal traits, whereas Global South frameworks emphasise community solidarity and relational adaptation. Integrating these perspectives, the article advances a nuanced, multi-level model of resilience for non-profits operating in volatile funding, political, and social environments.