Fall 2017 issue of Horizons

INDUSTRY UPDATE NOT-FOR-PROFIT

Cyber Security Effects in Today’s Fundraising by Amy Altholz, CPA, CGMA & Dari Jones

A s fundraising trends evolve, technology avenues for donations do as well. One such avenue that continues to gain momentum is online giving. Per Blackbaud’s 5th Annual Charitable Giving Report, How Nonprofit Fundraising Performed in 2016 , online giving grew 7.9% in 2016 compared to 2015. In addition, the percentage of total fundraising that came from online giving reached a record high in 2016 with approximately 7.2% of overall fundraising revenue (excluding grants) coming from online gifts. With this increased concentration of gifts coming through the organization’s website and from donors’ computers or

mobile phones, ensuring the security of the organization’s technology infrastructure and sensitive donor information is crucial. Particularly, as new technologies emerge, so do cyber threats. These threats, including recent ransomware attacks such as WannaCry or NotPetya, have brought cyber security to the forefront. Cyber security may seem like a mysterious, expensive and daunting task – especially for cost-conscious not-for-profit organizations. However, it doesn’t have to be. Cyber security actions are highly interconnected. Defensive steps implemented at the individual employee level affect the security of the overall organization. Each employee has a hand in

Cyber Security Effects in Today’s Fundraising

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