Funraise Prioritizes Nonprofit Sector Security by Attaining PCI Level 1 Compliance

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January 20, 2025
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Funraise, the nonprofit sector's premier fundraising and CRM platform serving thousands of organizations worldwide, announces its achievement of PCI Level 1 compliance, the highest standard of payment security in the industry. This certification, validated by independent compliance assessor Sikich, reinforces Funraise's commitment to protecting donor data and financial transactions for nonprofits. 

Funraise’s Commitment to Nonprofit Security

Safeguarding our personal information is not just important—it’s a necessity. And as a leading player in nonprofit technology, Funraise is deeply committed to ensuring robust security measures are in place to protect sensitive donor information.

By attaining PCI Level 1 compliance, Funraise demonstrates a strong commitment to safeguarding donor information and reinforcing trust within the nonprofit community. This achievement signals a growing awareness of the security challenges nonprofits face and highlights the importance of robust compliance measures in addressing these threats.

Dedication to Safeguarding Donor Data

Donor data is sacred in the nonprofit world, and Funraise knows the stakes are high. That's why Funraise adheres to PCI-DSS compliance, a rigorous security standard designed to secure systems against unauthorized access to cardholder data.

Reinforcing Trust within the Nonprofit Community

Trust is the foundation of the nonprofit community. By prioritizing donor security, Funraise isn't just implementing security features, but reinforcing trust by safeguarding the data that fuels nonprofits' missions.

To back that up, Theresa Mott, Senior Cybersecurity Consultant at Funraise's independent compliance assessor, Sikich, had this to say about Funraise's approach to realizing this difficult achievement:

"Funraise's dedication to excellence throughout the PCI Level 1 compliance process was truly impressive. Their team demonstrated exceptional knowledge and a proactive approach to security, consistently going above and beyond to ensure the highest standards were met to prioritize the security of their client's data and strengthen their overall security posture."

In summary, Funraise isn't in the compliance game to keep up with security standards. Funraise is serious about setting a standard for how nonprofits can trust and rely on secure systems.

What Funraise's Leaders Are Saying

Funraise CEO and Co-founder, Justin Wheeler, puts it perfectly:

"Achieving PCI Level 1 compliance is a significant milestone for Funraise and the nonprofit sector we serve. We understand the critical importance of data security in maintaining donor trust and enabling nonprofits to focus on their missions. This certification reflects our unwavering commitment to providing the most secure fundraising platform possible."

Jason Swenski, Funraise CTO and Co-founder, adds:

"Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that Funraise's infrastructure and processes meet the highest security standards. PCI Level 1 compliance not only protects our clients and their donors but it also reaffirms Funraise's position as a nonprofit technology security leader."

But that's not all Funraise has to say on the subject. Oh, friends, there's more. Let us direct you to a conversation about nonprofit fundraising security that Justin and Jason had on the Nonstop Nonprofit podcast. You'll get friendly, knowledgeable answers to questions such as these:

  • How does tough security help nonprofits build true connections with donors?
  • How can anti-fraud technology help nonprofits achieve their fundraising goals?
  • How does a crisis such as COVID-19 put pressure on security and protection features?
  • What does my nonprofit need to do to ensure we're covered? How do I know how much support and security we need?

Funraise customers can rest easy knowing that your donors' sensitive information is protected by the highest industry standards. This level of security allows you to focus on what really matters—your mission.

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What is PCI Level 1 Compliance?

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is a set of security standards designed to ensure that all companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. Level 1 is the most rigorous level, typically required for businesses processing over 6 million card transactions annually.

For Funraise, achieving this certification means every piece of the platform has undergone intense scrutiny and validation by Sikich, an independent compliance assessor. It's not just a one-time thing either—this certification requires ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest security standards.

Key aspects of PCI compliance include:

  • Security policies: Establishing robust security policies to govern how cardholder data is handled.
  • Secure systems: Implementing security systems and controls to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Transmission of cardholder data: Ensuring secure transmission of cardholder data over networks.
  • Security features: Integrating security features into software to mitigate risks.

Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs) like Sikich, Funraise's independent compliance assessor, play a vital role in guiding organizations through the compliance process, ensuring a solid security posture.

PCI compliance software tools can significantly enhance an organization's ability to achieve and maintain compliance, simplifying management and tracking of compliance efforts.

Importance of PCI Compliance in the Nonprofit Sector

In the nonprofit world, handling donor transactions securely is paramount. Adhering to PCI compliance standards ensures that nonprofits protect sensitive donor information, build trust, and maintain robust security systems. Compliance not only shields the organization from potential data breaches but also fosters confidence among donors and stakeholders, crucial for sustained support and fundraising success.

Increased Donor Confidence

When donors know their financial information is handled securely, their confidence in the organization soars. Implementing PCI compliance software reassures donors that the nonprofit is taking stringent security measures to protect their cardholder data. This trust can lead to increased donations and a loyal donor base, key for achieving long-term organizational goals.

Protecting Donor Information

Nonprofits often rely on PCI compliance to protect the personal and financial information of their donors. By controlling access to cardholder data, nonprofits can prevent unauthorized use. This includes employing secure systems, encrypting data transmissions, and integrating advanced security features into all transaction-related software. Such measures ensure that donor information remains confidential and safe from malicious threats.

Ensuring Transaction Security

Secure transactions are table stakes, whether you're taking donations online or off (we're talking about online here, but just saying.) By staying PCI-DSS compliant, nonprofits can ensure the secure transmission of cardholder data, safeguarding against breaches during transactions. This is vital, as even a single security incident can significantly tarnish an organization's reputation and deter future donations.

Competitive Advantage in Fundraising

Adopting PCI compliance standards gives nonprofits a competitive edge in the fundraising arena. By demonstrating a strong security posture, organizations can stand out to potential donors who prioritize data security. This level of assurance not only retains existing supporters but also attracts new donors, setting a nonprofit apart as a responsible and trustworthy entity in the industry.

By using a PCI Level 1 compliant platform like Funraise, you're providing your donors with the highest level of protection against data breaches and fraud. This leads to increased donor confidence and higher donation rates.

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