What a Think Tank Website Needs to Do in 2025 (Besides Look Smart)

Think tank websites are no longer just archives—they’re active tools for influence. A well-designed site helps frame the narrative, attract funders, earn media trust, and push policy into public discourse.

Here’s what every modern think tank website should prioritize in 2025:

1. Clear Value Proposition

   Your homepage must immediately answer: What do you do, why does it matter, and who do you do it for?

   • Use headlines that communicate impact, not jargon
   • Include a visible call to action for funders, press, or policymakers
   • Remember: if a reporter or congressional staffer visits your site, they need to “get it” in 10 seconds.

2. Searchable, Structured Research

   PDFs can’t be the only format. Your research should:

   • Be filterable by issue, author, and date
   • Include summaries, data visualizations, and quotable pull quotes
   • Load fast and be mobile-friendly

   If it’s not easy to skim and cite, it won’t influence policy.

3. Expert Visibility

   Your experts are your brand. Make it easy to:

   • Find bios, contact info, and recent commentary
   • Highlight their work on issue-specific landing pages
   • Embed media appearances and op-eds

   This builds credibility with journalists and partners alike.

4. Funders and Fellows Matter

   Philanthropy fuels your work. Dedicate space to:

   • Showcase fellowships and research impact
   • List institutional partners or foundation support
   • Offer easy ways to inquire about funding or partnerships

   A good site communicates stability, ambition, and ROI.

Final Thoughts: Your Site = Your Credibility

In 2025, your website is your platform. It's not just where you publish—it's how you're perceived.

Make it fast. Make it smart. And most of all, make it purposeful.

Need help translating years of research into a site that actually gets read and cited? Let’s talk. We’ve worked with mission-driven organizations to build platforms that grow visibility—and influence.

layout: single-blog.njk title: How to Keep Your Nonprofit Website Secure in 2025 and Beyond meta: title: How to Keep Your Nonprofit Website Secure in 2025 and Beyond description: From SSL to regular updates, here’s how nonprofits can secure their websites in a world of increasing cyber threats and data vulnerabilities. image: ./src/img/blogs/china-pot.png alt: A glowing padlock symbol floating in digital space, representing cybersecurity for websites sitemap: changefreq: weekly priority: 0.5 tags:

• blogs
• nonprofit
• security
• web design
• advocacy
• data privacy date: 2025-05-06 url: /blog/nonprofit-website-security-2025

A nonprofit’s website isn’t just a public face—it’s often a portal for donations, volunteer sign-ups, and sensitive supporter data. With cyber threats on the rise, security isn’t optional—it’s foundational.

Whether you're running a grassroots campaign or a major nonprofit initiative, here’s how to ensure your website stays secure, trustworthy, and compliant in 2025 and beyond.

1. Start with the Basics: SSL, Backups & Strong Logins

Every site needs a secure foundation. That starts with:

• SSL (HTTPS) to encrypt data between browser and server
• Regular automated backups to recover from unexpected issues
• Strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all logins

If you’re using WordPress, tools like iThemes Security or Wordfence can help enforce login protection and monitor for threats.

2. Keep Software and Plugins Updated

Most breaches happen through outdated software. Whether you're using WordPress, Drupal, or another CMS:

• Keep your core platform, themes, and plugins up to date
• Avoid using abandoned plugins or custom code that lacks maintenance
• Set update reminders or use tools to automate minor updates

An unpatched plugin can become the weakest link in your website’s armor.

3. Audit User Roles and Access Regularly

Over time, many sites accumulate unnecessary user accounts with elevated access. Make it a quarterly habit to:

• Remove inactive users
• Review who has admin privileges
• Use role-based permissions to limit access only to what's needed

Pro tip: Always use separate logins—no shared admin accounts.

4. Use a Reputable Hosting Provider

Your hosting environment is your first line of defense. Look for providers that offer:

• Daily backups and malware scanning
• 24/7 support
• Built-in firewalls or security protections

At Loopdash, we offer managed hosting designed specifically for nonprofits and advocacy groups—with enterprise-grade uptime, proactive monitoring, and hands-on support. If you'd like a secure, hassle-free option that scales with your mission, we’d be glad to host your site.

5. Protect Your Donation and Contact Forms

Donation pages and contact forms are common targets. Secure them with:

• reCAPTCHA or hCaptcha to prevent spam and bots
• Input validation to block malicious code
• End-to-end encryption for form submissions that include sensitive data

This is especially critical for sites that handle donor or health-related information.

6. Have a Clear Response Plan

Even with precautions, no system is 100% breach-proof. Prepare by:

• Assigning a security lead
• Documenting what to do in case of a data breach
• Knowing who to contact (hosting, legal, etc.) if something goes wrong

A clear plan can prevent panic and mitigate damage.

Final Thoughts: Security is Stewardship

For nonprofits, digital trust is mission-critical. Supporters, donors, and partners rely on you to protect their information.

Security isn’t about fear—it’s about stewardship. And with the right practices in place, your website can be both powerful and protected.

Need a site security audit, better hosting, or help setting up best practices? We’re happy to assist—no strings attached. Your mission’s online presence deserves to be safe, stable, and strong.