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Charities and non-profit organisations can face intense scrutiny from the media, politicians, regulatory bodies, beneficiaries, and the wider public. When reputational issues arise, effective charity crisis PR and reputation management are essential to protecting an organisation’s credibility, public trust, and ability to continue its vital work. 

From governance failures and safeguarding incidents to employment disputes and regulatory investigations, the risks facing charities are growing. Senior leaders and trustees need the confidence to respond with clarity, speed, and with the right strategic counsel by their side. 

Alder is a specialist charity PR agency and reputation management consultancy. We help charities, NGOs, and not-for-profits navigate these challenges, before, during, and after a crisis. 

Speak to a Charity PR Expert | Get Personalised Recommendations for Your Charity

What is crisis PR for charities? 

Crisis PR for charities is the specialist practice of protecting and managing a charity’s reputation when it comes under threat from unwanted media or stakeholder scrutiny, regulatory action, or internal incidents. Unlike conventional public relations, charity crisis PR requires a particularly careful approach, one that balances transparency, stakeholder reassurance, and the safeguarding of the organisation’s mission. 

Our charity communications service supports in-house teams and senior management across a broad range of organisations including charities with national and international profiles, religious institutions, campaigning groups, and those delivering education, health, and social care services. 

As an experienced charity communications agency, we provide the strategic guidance and practical support that senior leaders need to navigate difficult situations, protecting their reputation and maintaining the trust of the people who matter most. 

Areas of Expertise

We have extensive experience managing reputational issues across a wide range of crisis scenarios, including: 

Our approach to charities’ reputation management

Our approach to charity crisis PR is precise, compassionate, and focused on outcomes. Whether your organisation is facing a high-stakes criminal trial, a sudden safeguarding incident, or intensifying media attention, we provide compassionate and strategic support to ensure that charities face these difficult events with dignity and clarity, preserving their reputation. 

Additionally, we work closely with charities to develop targeted communication plans that promote transparency, protect stakeholder trust, and allow the organisation to continue its work with confidence. Our proactive approach to reputation management means we also help identify potential vulnerabilities before they escalate, so your charity is never caught unprepared. 

As a specialist charity PR agency in London, we understand the unique pressures the sector faces. Public expectations for accountability are high, funding relationships are often fragile, and reputational damage can have severe financial and operational consequences. Our role is to ensure charities can stay focused on their most important stakeholders and maintain their ability to continue delivering vital help to those who need it. 

Our Charities Team

Tim Toulmin Managing Director

Tim Toulmin

Managing Director
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Anthony Longden, Specialist Partner, Crisis Communications

Anthony Longden

Specialist Partner, Crisis Communications
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Sue Bishop Charities Partner

Sue Bishop

Specialist Education and Charities Partner
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Jack Myers Account Director

Jack Myers

Associate Director
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Joe Macintyre Account Executive

Joe MacIntyre

Account Director
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“You probably don’t know how helpful you have been! So many sector charities are contending with the same issues as us, but not all are as fortunate to have your support and input – do let everyone at Alder know, please.”

CEO, national charity

“Tim, thank you to you and Jack for all your support these last few months. It’s been invaluable.”

Head of Communications, advocacy charity

“A quick email to say thank you so much for your wisdom, warmth and support over the past few months. We could not have done it without you! I have been recommending you to everyone.”

Director, civil liberties charity

“We felt very supported with Alder’s sensible guidance. Alder was extremely responsive, and we have only positive feelings about the entire experience with Alder.”

Legal Director, national charity

Speak to a Charity PR Expert

Our clients rely on us to manage some of the most sensitive issues facing the charity sector. For a free, no-obligation conversation, please phone us on 020 7692 5675 or email us on [email protected], and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 






    Frequently Asked Questions

    When does a charity need crisis communications?

    Charities often need crisis communications support when unexpected events threaten their reputation, operations, or stakeholder relationships, and negative media coverage risks causing significant damage. This can include safeguarding incidents, governance failures, employment disputes, regulatory investigations, or any situation that places the organisation under intense public or media scrutiny. 

    Having a crisis communication plan in place is crucial. A robust plan helps charities maintain stakeholder trust, protect their long-term reputation, and build the resilience needed to navigate future challenges. 

    What causes a PR crisis in charities?

    PR crises in charities can arise from a wide range of internal and external events. Common triggers include safeguarding failures or allegations, financial mismanagement or fraud, misconduct by staff, volunteers, or ambassadors, Charity Commission investigations, employment disputes, governance failures, and incidents that result in sudden deaths or injuries. Charities are also particularly vulnerable to crises arising from the behaviour of high-profile supporters or patrons, whose actions can quickly attract significant media attention. 

    Whatever the cause, the speed and quality of the initial response is often the most important factor in limiting reputational damage. Early engagement with an experienced charity PR agency can make a significant difference to the outcome. 

    How should charities respond to negative media coverage?

    Every situation is different, and the right response, including whether to respond at all, depends on the specific circumstances. What rarely changes is the value of being prepared before a crisis hits. 

    What services does Alder offer for charities?

    Alder is a specialist charity PR agency and reputation management consultancy based in London. Our services for charities include crisis communications, issues management, reputation and vulnerabilities audits, crisis PR planning, crisis communications manuals, crisis simulations, media training, and 24/7 media monitoring. 

    We work with a broad range of organisations across the sector, from large national and international charities to smaller NGOs, religious institutions, and civil society organisations. Whether you need immediate support during an active crisis or want to build your resilience in advance, we are here to help.