Introduction
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly becoming targets for cybercriminals [4], with a notable rise in email-based threats. These attacks exploit the sector’s limited cybersecurity resources and high levels of trust, focusing on sensitive data and financial transactions. This trend underscores the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures within the nonprofit sector.
Description
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals [4], with email-based threats rising by 35.2% year-on-year [1] [2] [7]. These attacks primarily focus on sensitive donor data, financial transactions [1] [2] [5] [7], and internal communications [1] [2] [4] [5] [6] [7], exploiting the limited cybersecurity resources and high levels of trust typical within the nonprofit sector. A significant 50.4% increase in credential phishing attacks has been observed, where cybercriminals steal login credentials to access sensitive donor databases, leading to potential financial fraud and data breaches [1] [7]. Additionally, malware attacks have surged by 26.2% [1] [4] [7], often delivered via email through malicious attachments disguised as invoices or donor lists, which can result in ransomware incidents and operational disruptions [1] [7].
Nonprofits are particularly vulnerable to these threats due to their reliance on donor contributions and grant funding [5], resulting in frequent financial transactions conducted through email [5]. This makes them prime targets for business email compromise (BEC) and vendor email compromise (VEC) schemes [5], where attackers impersonate executives [5], board members [5], or trusted vendors to manipulate employees into redirecting funds [4] [5]. The involvement of volunteers and part-time staff—many of whom lack formal cybersecurity training—further heightens the risk of falling victim to sophisticated social engineering tactics [5], including phishing, vishing [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7], and impersonation attacks that may utilize deepfake technology.
The sensitive nature of nonprofit operations [4], including the storage of donor payment information and healthcare data [4], means that malware attacks can have severe consequences [4], such as operational paralysis and reputational damage [4]. A notable incident involved a phishing email that led to a ransomware infection at Ascension [1], a major nonprofit health system [1] [7], disrupting hospital operations and delaying patient care [1]. To combat these growing threats [4] [7], nonprofits must implement stronger cybersecurity measures [4], including adopting AI-native email security solutions that utilize behavioral analysis and machine learning to detect and block sophisticated attacks before they reach inboxes [1] [7]. Conducting comprehensive risk assessments and periodic simulated attacks to identify vulnerabilities within their networks is also essential. Recognizing the importance of multifactor authentication and ensuring compliance with established security standards among critical vendors are crucial steps in safeguarding sensitive information.
As the increase in digital fundraising and the use of online collaboration tools further broaden the potential attack surface for these organizations [2], proactive defense strategies are now a necessity for the sector [4]. Nonprofits must understand that safeguarding their digital infrastructure is essential for protecting their mission and the communities they serve [4].
Conclusion
The rise in cyber threats against nonprofit organizations highlights the critical need for robust cybersecurity strategies. The potential impacts of these threats include financial fraud, data breaches [1] [4] [7], and operational disruptions [1] [7], which can severely damage an organization’s reputation and effectiveness. To mitigate these risks, nonprofits must prioritize the implementation of advanced security measures, such as AI-driven email security and multifactor authentication. As digital engagement continues to expand, the sector must remain vigilant and proactive in protecting its digital assets to ensure the continued success of its mission and service to the community.
References
[1] https://ciso2ciso.com/nonprofits-face-surge-in-cyber-attacks-as-email-threats-rise-35-source-www-infosecurity-magazine-com/
[2] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/nonprofits-email-threats-rise-35/
[3] https://www.plantemoran.com/explore-our-thinking/insight/2025/03/common-risks-nonprofits-are-facing-in-2025
[4] https://abnormalsecurity.com/blog/nonprofit-sector-email-attack-trends
[5] https://betanews.com/2025/03/05/non-profit-sector-sees-increasing-wave-of-email-attacks/
[6] https://beamstart.com/news/non-profit-sector-sees-increasing-17411737787054
[7] https://osintcorp.net/nonprofits-face-surge-in-cyber-attacks-as-email-threats-rise-35/
