In today’s digital landscape, non-profits are more than just mission-driven organizations, they’re prime targets for cybercrime. Your donor lists are more valuable than you might think. To hackers, they’re gold mines of personal data. In fact, in 2025 alone, charity-related scams surged 15%, according to the FTC. And if you think high-profile breaches like 23andMe’s, where 6.9 million profiles were exposed, are rare exceptions, think again. Your organization could be next.

At CyberStreams, we see firsthand how these threats unfold. Phishing emails, often disguised as donor communications, can derail entire campaigns. And it’s not just email, texts are vulnerable too.

The Rise of Encrypted Messaging

March 2025 marked a major shift: RCS texting with end-to-end encryption officially launched. This isn’t just a tech buzzword—end-to-end encryption means only the sender and recipient can read the message. It’s a lock on your donor conversations. Google now shows a lock icon to signal this feature, and Apple’s famously green message bubbles are working toward similar protection.

But here’s the catch: not every carrier or app supports it yet. In the meantime, secure messaging apps like Microsoft Teams, Signal, and others offer reliable alternatives.

Why does this matter? Because a 2024 Verizon report found that 60% of data breaches start with stolen credentials, often snatched from insecure texts or emails. Think of your communications like your dad’s old Silverado, tough and built to last. Now compare that to unencrypted messages: they’re more like a rusted-out hatchback with no locks.

Why This Matters for Non-Profits

As a non-profit, your most powerful asset is trust. Donors give because they believe in your mission. One data leak—a single bad link—could shatter that trust and destroy years of progress.

3 Key Takeaways and Next Steps

1. Spot the Lock
   When texting, look for the lock icon. If it’s there, your message is encrypted. Use these apps for donor communication whenever possible.

2. Think Cost of Trust
   One breach could cost you more than donations, it could cost your reputation. According to IBM, the average data breach cost in 2023 was $4.5 million.

3. Get Cyber Fit
   At CyberStreams, we’re actively testing encrypted tools and can help your organization choose the right ones. Ask us how to start.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity isn’t optional anymore, it’s mission-critical. Your donors trust you with more than their money; they trust you with their data. And in a world where one click can lead to a devastating breach, encryption isn’t just a feature, it’s a lifeline. RCS texting is a promising step forward, but the key is proactive protection now. Whether it's using secure apps, spotting the lock icon, or partnering with experts, the time to act is today. Don't wait for a horror story—prevent one.