Running a charity or not-for-profit is no small feat. Between delivering programmes, supporting people who use your services, and keeping trustees in the loop, communications can quietly slip down the priority list, even though it’s one of your most powerful tools.

That’s where a communications consultant comes in.

What Does a Communications Consultant Actually Do?

A communications consultant works alongside your team to help you tell your story clearly, consistently, and compellingly. For charities and not-for-profits, this means translating the incredible work you do into messages that genuinely resonate with funders, donors, service users, partners, and the wider public.

It’s not just about writing a press release or scheduling a social media post. It’s about understanding your organisation at its core, working with your whole team, including your trustees, and building a communications strategy that genuinely supports your mission.

The Power of Fresh Eyes

When you’re deep in the day-to-day, it’s easy to lose sight of how your organisation looks from the outside. A consultant brings an independent perspective, spotting gaps, opportunities, and strengths that your team might have overlooked simply because you’re too close to the work.

That outside viewpoint is invaluable, especially when it comes to aligning your communications strategy with your wider organisational strategy so they’re not just sitting in silos, but genuinely working together.

5 Things to Know About Working With a Communications Consultant

1. They work with everyone, including your trustees. Getting all your stakeholders aligned on messaging and goals is part of the job.
2. A good brief is everything. Come prepared with your mission, current challenges, target audiences, and any existing materials.
3. Strategy comes before tactics. A good consultant builds solid foundations before diving into campaigns or content.
4. Expect questions. Lots of them. Understanding your ‘why’ is essential to communicating it well.
5. The right fit matters. Ask about their experience with organisations like yours, how they prefer to work, and what success looks like to them.

Questions Worth Asking Before You Start

• Have you worked with charities or not-for-profits before?
• How do you approach developing a communications strategy?
• How will you work with our internal team and trustees?
• What does a typical engagement look like?
• Can you share examples of your work?

Let’s Have a Conversation

If you’re a charity or not-for-profit wondering whether now is the right time to invest in your communications, I’d love to talk it through. No pressure, no jargon, just an honest conversation about where you are and where you want to be.

Get in touch and let’s see how I can help. Contact me