b'The hidden threat toincident within the past three years. nonprofit ministriesAnother study by The Modern Non-and missionsprofit reported that nearly 60 percent W hen we think aboutof nonprofits were attacked in the public safety, we picturelast two years. Smaller organizations, secure buildings, back- 68 percent ofthose with limited IT budgets or ground checks, and well-lit parkingfewer than 50 employees, are often lots. But todays threats arent justnonprofitshit hardest because they rely on physical; theyre digital. And min- third-party platforms that may have istries that handle donations,experienced ahidden vulnerabilities. registrations, or client paymentscyber incidentAs cybersecurity experts at hold sensitive information thatCrowdStrike put it, smaller organiza-makes them prime targets forwithin the pasttions are targeted more frequently cybercriminals.three years.because they often assume theyreResearch from the CyberPeacetoo small to be noticed, which makes Institute found that 68 percent ofthem easier to exploit. nonprofits experienced a cyberWhy criminals go after nonprofits H ackers dont just want money; they want data. Once they breach a donor system, they can:sell credit card and personal infor-mation on dark web markets;use donor data for identity theft or phishing scams;masquerade as the nonprofit to solicit fraudulent donations;hold sensitive data ransom for payment. For donors, that means fraudulent charges, stolen identities, the sinking feeling of betrayal, and the possibility of pulling back from online philan-thropy (or online donations). For ministries, its not just dollars lost. Its trust broken, conversations 46 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025'