$100.00
Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Searing, University of Texas at Dallas
This module explains the concept of organizational resilience and how it applies to managing nonprofit organizations, especially in times of crisis. It lays the foundations for developing nonprofit resilience strategies along multiple lines including finances, technology, human resources, and collaborative relationships.
Nonprofit leaders generally understand that they need resource “cushions” to cope with unexpected demands on, or shortfalls of, their resources. For example, they commonly try to put aside some reserve funds or hold back on committing expenses (such as maintenance or new hiring). However, the constellation of resilience strategies is much richer than what is normally practiced; moreover, nonprofits fall significantly short in following recommended practices such as maintaining sufficient financial reserves or developing networks. Thus, nonprofit leaders can benefit from a fuller understanding of the ways in which organizations can increase their resilience. Distinguished scholars have studied tools such as organizational slack and innovation, identifying their importance in addressing uncertainty and environmental pressures. This module lays the foundation for a robust portfolio of potential strategies for organizational resilience.
