Now that the holiday season is in full swing, many nonprofits are entering their busiest—and often most stressful—time of year. Donation campaigns, year-end appeals, and seasonal programs can put every part of the organization under pressure.

Earlier this year, there were several key nonprofit industry trends to watch in 2025. Those trends haven’t gone away—in fact, they’re even more important to keep in mind as activity ramps up for the holidays. Staying vigilant now can help protect your mission, your people, and your reputation when the stakes are highest.

1. Cybersecurity Was a Key 2025 Trend—and It Still Is

Cybersecurity emerged as a major trend to watch in 2025, and it remains a mission-critical concern as online giving and digital engagement spike during the holidays.

Throughout the year, nonprofits have increasingly relied on technology to:

• Accept online, mobile, and recurring donations
• Store donor and client information
• Coordinate staff and volunteers

Those same tools can create vulnerabilities. During the busy season, teams are tired, rushed, and more likely to click on a bad link or overlook a red flag. A single cyber incident can:

• Disrupt online donation platforms at the worst possible time
• Compromise donor or client data
• Erode trust that took years to build

As holiday giving peaks, nonprofits should remain especially mindful of phishing attempts, suspicious login activity, and the security of their payment systems. Revisiting basic safeguards and reminding staff about cyber hygiene can go a long way—especially now.

2. AI Opportunities and Exposures Are Front and Center

Another major 2025 trend was the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools across the nonprofit sector. Many organizations are now using AI to:

• Draft year-end appeal letters and campaign content
• Personalize donor communications at scale
• Analyze giving history and identify likely supporters

These capabilities can be incredibly helpful during the holiday rush, when teams are trying to do more with less. But the trend also brought important cautions that still apply:

• Are you transparent about how you use donor and client data?
• Could automated tools introduce biased or insensitive messaging?
• Are AI-generated materials being reviewed before they go out under your organization’s name?

As nonprofits lean on AI to manage the holiday workload, it’s critical to keep those 2025 lessons in mind. Human oversight, ethical guidelines, and clear data practices are essential to avoid missteps and reputational harm.

3. Workforce Pressures Are Amplified During the Holidays

Workforce challenges were already a defining trend for nonprofits in 2025, with tight labor markets and staffing shortages affecting many organizations. That pressure only intensifies at the end of the year.

Nonprofits may struggle to:

• Staff seasonal programs and events
• Cover vacation time while maintaining services
• Prevent burnout as employees juggle deadlines and personal holiday commitments

When teams are stretched thin, the risk of errors, delays, and miscommunication increases. That can impact everything from donor stewardship to program delivery.

As the holiday season gets busier, nonprofit leaders can apply what they learned from this year’s workforce trends by:

• Checking in regularly with staff and volunteers
• Prioritizing critical tasks over “nice to have” projects
• Offering flexibility where possible
• Making space for recovery once peak season has passed

4. Regulatory Shifts Still Require Attention—Even When You’re Busy

In 2025, evolving regulations—especially around data privacy, tax-exempt status, and donor disclosures—were another key trend nonprofit leaders were urged to watch. Those regulatory changes don’t pause just because it’s year-end.

The holiday season is often when nonprofits:

• Collect the most donor and client information
• Launch special campaigns or raffles
• Send out receipts and acknowledgment letters

All of these activities need to align with current laws and reporting requirements. When teams are operating at full speed, it’s easy to overlook a disclosure, mishandle data, or miss a new rule that recently took effect.

Now is a crucial time to:

• Confirm that donation forms and privacy notices are up to date
• Ensure data is being collected and stored appropriately
• Double-check that acknowledgments and reports comply with current regulations

Looking Back—and Staying Alert Moving Forward

The trends to watch in 2025—cybersecurity, AI, workforce challenges, and regulatory changes—were never just abstract forecasts. As the holiday season gets busier, they become very real risk factors that can affect donations, operations, and trust.

By staying vigilant and mindful of these trends during their busiest time of year, nonprofits can:

• Protect donor and client information
• Use technology and AI wisely
• Support staff and volunteers through peak workloads
• Stay aligned with evolving regulatory requirements

Doing so helps ensure that end-of-year generosity and activity strengthen the organization rather than exposing it to new vulnerabilities—so nonprofits can move into the new year with resilience and momentum.