Communicating Causes Strategic public relations for the non-profit sector

Non-profit organizations (NPOs) across the world are facing criticism alongside approbation. In order for NPOs to effectively support their causes, they require public trust. The editors of this book have persuaded PR experts from the UK and around the world, from a variety of PR specialisms operating across different organizational forms, to share their knowledge and experience. These contributions are scaffolded with authoritative academic and practical advice, as well as solutions. The book starts with foundations that underpin communications for causes. These include arguments that support the importance of non-profits in civil society; lessons in corporate governance; and a new approach to issues management. PR planning subjects tailored, or specific, to the sector include: strategic global communications planning, agile digital communications; branding internal communications and the securing of meaningful outcomes. Corporate partnerships are examined with a new ‘Fit to Partner Test’ and consideration of the mandated corporate social responsibility (CSR) in India, corporate volunteering in Brazil, and CSR in South Africa. Relations between governments and non-profits are also considered, both generally and with a particular focus on China. Communicating Causes looks at effective strategy and practice of PR in the modern non-profit. Including forewords by both John Grounds and Jon Snow, the expert perspectives offered in this book provide valuable support to current and future communicators.

Dedication, Contributor Bios, Foreword by Jon Snow, Foreword by John Grounds, Introducing Communicating Causes: Strategic Public Relations for the Non-Profit Sector, Nicky Garsten and Ian Bruce, PART ONE, Civil Society, Governance and Issues, Chapter 1 Non-Profit PR as the Voice of Civil Society? Brian Lamb, Chapter 2 Governance in the Non-Profit Sector: The Role of Trustees in Reputation Management, Elizabeth Chamberlain and Stuart Etherington, Chapter 3 Non-profit Issues Management: A New Approach to Resist the Label of ‘Risk’, Michaela O’Brien, PART TWO, Communicating To Build Trust, Chapter 4 Beyond clicks for causes: enabling agile digital communication, Ann Longley and Tove Nordström, Chapter 5 The Emergence and Growth of Strategic Partnerships between NGOs and Corporates: Balancing Risks and Leveraging Communications, Kevin Read and Caroline Diehl, Chapter 6 Marketing and Brand: Enhancing Trusted Recognition, Ian Bruce, Colin Byrne and Hannah Myers, Chapter 7 Strategic Illustrations of NFP Success? An Exploration into the Evolution, Purposes and Ethics of Case Studies, Nicky Garsten, Kevin Read and Mazia Yassim, Chapter 8 Internal Communication: Planning An Essential Element of Non-profit PR, Liam FitzPatrick, Chapter 9 PR Measurement in the Non-Profit Sector: Making a difference in the world – and proving it, Orla Graham, PART THREE, PR in the Broader Non-profit Sector, Chapter 10 PR for Housing Associations: The Challenges of Accommodating Profit for Purpose, Patrick Law, Chapter 11 Trade Union PR: The Working Voice, Nigel Stanley, Chapter 12 Social Enterprise PR: Doing Business Whilst Doing Good, Tove Nordström, PART FOUR, Around the World: Global and National Non-Profit Communications, Chapter 13 INGO Communications: Global Strategic Planning, Joe Barrell, Chapter 14 Non-Profit PR in India, Prema Sagar, Rama Iyer and Nupur Chaturvedi, Chapter 15 NGO Communications in a One-Party State: The Context and Characteristics of Non-profit Advocacy Communications in China, David Horton Smith, Sean Lang and Nicky Garsten, Chapter 16 Public Relations in the South African NPO sector: Partnerships for Social Change, Rene Benecke and Lida Holzhausen, Chapter 17 The Rise of Volunteering In Brazil: New Perspectives, Partnerships and Paradigms, Tato Carbonaro, Natália Tamura and Paulo Nassar, Index.

Nicky Garsten is Senior Lecturer at the University of Greenwich, London. She direct the BA (Hons) in Public Relations and Communications, and is co-founder and leader of the module, ‘Third Sector PR’. Coming from a background of senior roles in non-profit strategic communications, she publishes and presents academic research on non-profit communications. Ian Bruce is President and Founder of the Centre for Charity Effectiveness at Cass Business School, City, University of London and Vice President Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). Previously, he was CEO of RNIB & Volunteering England, assistant CEO of a London Borough and has authored four books, alongside many chapters and articles.