Cybercrime Trends Every Nonprofit Should Watch in 2025

You’re in the business of doing good — helping communities, supporting causes, and creating real change. So it’s easy to assume that cybercriminals wouldn’t be interested in your nonprofit.

But here’s the truth: nonprofits are increasingly being targeted by cyberattacks. And in 2025, that trend is only going to grow.

Why? Because attackers know that many nonprofits operate with tight budgets, limited tech support, and big lists of sensitive data — from donors and volunteers to grantmakers and community partners.

Let’s break down the top cybercrime trends nonprofits need to keep an eye on this year — and how you can protect your mission without becoming a cybersecurity expert.

Trend #1: Donor & Volunteer Data Theft

Your donor database is more valuable than you think.

Most nonprofits store personal details about donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries — including names, emails, phone numbers, and sometimes even payment information. Cybercriminals target this data to sell or exploit it, often without you even knowing it’s been taken.

Watch out for:

• Weak passwords on your CRM or donor platforms
  
  

• Shared login credentials across teams
  
  

• Unencrypted data backups or spreadsheets
  
  

✅ Lockwell can help by securing your data with encryption, password managers, and a dedicated Security Concierge to guide your team through best practices.

Trend #2: Business Email Compromise (BEC)

Impersonation scams are on the rise — and they’re convincing.

Attackers often pose as executive directors, board members, or finance staff in urgent-looking emails: “Please wire funds for the urgent project. I’m in a meeting — respond quickly!” These scams trick team members into sending money or sensitive information.

Why it works:

• Nonprofits often have flat org charts, so everyone feels empowered to take action
  
  

• Limited staff may not be trained to spot phishing or spoofing
  
  

What you can do:

• Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) for email
  
  

• Train staff to verify financial requests — even if it “looks legit”
  
  

• Set up inbox rules to detect spoofed domains
  
  
  

Trend #3: Ransomware-as-a-Service Targets the “Little Guys”

Cyberattacks have become a subscription service — and you're on the list.

Ransomware used to require technical skills. Now, cybercriminals can buy pre-built ransomware kits online and launch broad attacks against thousands of targets — including small nonprofits.

Ransomware can:

• Lock you out of donor data or internal files
  
  

• Bring operations to a halt
  
  

• Demand payment to restore access (which may not even work)
  
  
  

✅ With Lockwell, your organization gets secure data backups, anti-malware protection, and a team that’s watching for threats around the clock.

Trend #4: Cybersecurity is Becoming a Requirement

Funders and partners are paying attention — and asking questions.

If your nonprofit applies for grants, works with government agencies, or partners with larger organizations, you may have already noticed: they’re starting to ask about your cybersecurity policies.

This isn’t just about preventing attacks. It’s about trust. When your partners know you take cybersecurity seriously, they know you’ll safeguard their reputation and data too.

You may be asked for:

• Data protection policies
  
  

• Evidence of staff security training
  
  

• Proof of compliance with frameworks like NIST
  
  

✅ Lockwell provides policies, training, and audit-ready reports — built for nonprofits, not Fortune 500s.

So What Can You Actually Do About It?

We get it — you're not a tech company. You probably don’t have a dedicated IT department or six figures to spend on a cybersecurity consultant.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to.

Start with high-impact, low-lift actions:

• Use a password manager to create strong, unique logins
  
  

• Turn on MFA for email, fundraising platforms, and CRMs
  
  

• Get a cybersecurity policy in place (we’ll help you write it)
  
  

• Train your staff (even a short 15-minute session makes a big difference)
  
  

• Run a free risk assessment with Lockwell — no strings attached
  
  
  

Lockwell: Cybersecurity Built for Nonprofits

We believe every organization — no matter the size — deserves digital peace of mind. That’s why we designed Lockwell to be affordable, accessible, and tailored to the way nonprofits work.

With Lockwell, you get:

• Policy templates and compliance support
  
  

• Cybersecurity tools like VPN, anti-malware, and password managers
  
  

• 1-on-1 guidance from your own Security Concierge
  
  

• Month-to-month pricing — no contracts, no surprise bills
  
  
  

Final Thought: Protect Your Mission, Not Just Your Network

Your mission matters. And protecting it starts with protecting your people, your data, and your systems.

Let Lockwell be your partner in this work — so you can focus on doing good, while we keep the bad guys out.

Ready to see where your risks are? Schedule your free cybersecurity risk assessment today.