For nonprofit leaders, the year 2026 has brought a challenging paradox: we must be more digital than ever to scale our impact, yet this digital footprint makes us a prime target for cybercrime.

Why Nonprofits?
Cybercriminals value nonprofits because we often hold sensitive donor data (Social Security numbers, credit cards, etc.) while operating on limited security budgets. They aren’t just looking for your funds; they are looking for a “backdoor” into your high-net-worth donors or corporate partners.

The 2026 “shing” Threats: What You Need to Know
Today’s attackers don’t just hack code; they hack humans and as humans, professionals are scrambling to come up with terms to differentiate these threats.
• Phishing (Email): Simply put, these are fake emails. In 2026, AI allows attackers to scrape your website and LinkedIn profile to create messages that look like they come from your actual vendors or board members.
• Vishing (Voice Phishing): Scammers use “deepfake” voice technology to call your finance team. They may sound exactly like the CFO, asking for an immediate wire transfer for an “emergency project”.
• Smishing (SMS Phishing): These are text message scams. A staff member might receive a text saying, “This is the Director. I’m in a meeting and need you to buy 10 gift cards for a donor. I’ll reimburse you.”
• Quishing (QR Code Phishing): Criminals replace your event’s QR codes with their own. When a donor scans it to give, their information and money goes directly to the attacker.

Four Steps to Secure Your Mission
• Enforce MFA Everywhere: Ensure Multi-Factor Authentication is active on all email, financial, and donor databases.
• Adopt “Zero Trust”: Stop assuming an email or text is safe just because it looks familiar. Verify every request for sensitive data or money.
• Continuous Training: One-off annual training is no longer enough. Use short, monthly “cyber-hygiene” tips or simulations to keep your team alert.
• Audit Your Vendors: Your security is only as strong as the platforms you use. Ensure your customer relationship management system (CRM) and payment processors meet the latest data protection standards.

The Bottom Line
The average cost of a data breach for a nonprofit in 2026 can exceed $2 million – when factoring in recovery and lost donor confidence. Investing in privacy today isn’t just an IT cost, it’s how you safeguard your organization’s future.

Need Help?
Nonprofit leaders don’t need to be cybersecurity experts, but they do need the right partners. Rather than stretching internal teams thin, organizations can protect their operations by working with specialists who manage security so leadership can remain focused on impact. NBOC is a nonprofit focusing on helping other nonprofits. We have staff specialists already working with other organizations facing similar challenges, and are always happy to help.