When celebrity partnerships go wrong

Celebrity ambassadors can be a huge coup for charities.

The right partnership can supercharge brand awareness, engagement, and income. 

A prime example? Stephen Fry and MIND. The actor, broadcaster, and comedian took over from Lord Melvyn Bragg as the President of Mind in 2011. And he’s been a tireless campaigner, supporter, and advocate for the mental health charity ever since.

His involvement has helped raise the profile of the charity and transform public attitudes towards mental health.

However, not all celebrity partnerships have happy endings.

When celebrity partnerships go wrong

In 2023, three high-profile celebrity ambassadors were dropped by charities after becoming embroiled in scandals.

In March, BBC Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce was asked to step down from her role as ambassador for domestic violence charity Refuge, following claims she trivialised domestic violence during a discussion about Boris Johnson’s father Stanley.

In May, The Prince’s Trust dropped Philip Schofield as ambassador after he admitted to an affair with a younger male colleague during his tenure at This Morning.

Then in September, several charities cut ties with comedian Russell Brand, following a string of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse allegations.

Collateral damage

As these examples show, celebrity ambassadorships bring with them a level of risk.

Once a celebrity comes on board, their name and reputation are linked to your charity. If they act out of sync with your ethos, engage in damaging behaviour, or get caught up in a scandal, your brand could get caught in the crossfire.

At best it could result in negative publicity. At worst, you could lose donors and suffer long-term reputational damage.

What to do when crisis strikes

If the worst happens, your first job is to call the celebrity’s publicist/agent and establish what happened (if you drop your ambassador based on a false report in the Daily Mirror, you’ll look silly).

However, if the story turns out to be true, you need to acknowledge it – fast.

Organisations are often afraid to make a public statement for fear of saying the wrong thing. But if you wait too long to respond, donors will question your integrity.

Take control of the narrative by firing out a statement acknowledging the scandal, expressing concern, and making your relationship with the celebrity clear.

When crafting your response, stick to the facts. Sharing your opinion or criticising the celebrity won’t do you any favours.

Follow the example of women’s charity, Trevi.

In response to the Russell Brand scandal, they posted the following statement on Instagram:

“Russell became aware of our charity in 2022 after hearing about some of the incredible mothers we have helped to become drug-free over the years. He wanted to support our cause and raise money through his Stay Free Foundation. Today's media revelations have been difficult to process but our priority remains and continues to be the safety and well-being of all women and girls now and in the future. We have ended our association with Russell Brand.”

Call in an expert

If in doubt, your best bet is to consult with an expert crisis management agency like Do Good PR. A PR agency for charities, and social enterprises, they ‘provide affordable comms support to help charities and purpose-led organisations achieve their goals.’

Prevention is better than cure

The best way to prevent a PR crisis is to carry out a thorough vetting process at the start of the ambassadorship.

Research the celebrity's history, (both professionally and personally). Are they associated with anything that could damage your brand? Are there any conflicts of interest? Do they court controversy? Have they been in trouble with the law?

Taking the time to assess potential risks can prevent PR headaches down the line.

Looking for a PR-savvy fundraiser to manage your celebrity ambassadors? We can help. Give us a call on 020 3750 3111 or email us at info@bamboofundraising.co.uk to get the conversation started.

Are our pets the next victims of the cost-of-living crisis?

The UK has a long-held reputation as a nation of animal lovers. But, the latest stats from the RSPCA have thrown that reputation into question.

According to the animal welfare charity, incidents of animal neglect and abandonment are at a three-year high, with 72,050 reports received in 2023 alone.

At the same time, calls to its rehoming helpline skyrocketed, but rehoming has declined sharply.

As a result, the charity’s ‘vital services are stretched to the limit’.

High cost of living to blame

The animal welfare charity attributes the startling statistics to the cost-of-living crisis, citing it as ‘one of the biggest threats to animal welfare’.

And you can see why.

The costs of pet ownership have risen faster than inflation. And it’s hitting pet parents hard.

According to the RSPCA, an average can of dog food cost £0.79 in April 2023. Today, it costs £1.05, a whopping 32% increase.

Insurance premiums have also risen by more than 3%.

Coupled with the extortionate costs of energy, food and rent, pet parents are being forced to make impossible decisions, and their pets are paying the price.

Desperate measures

Abandonment isn’t the only issue animals are facing.

The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) surveyed 5,507 dog, cat, and rabbit owners aged 18+ between 23 December 2022 and 18 January 2023.

The resulting Animal Wellbeing Report highlighted some concerning stats:

• 370,000 pet owners considered giving human medicine to their pet to avoid the cost of vet bills.

• 9% delayed taking their pet to the vet when they were ill because of the cost.

• 1% had their pet put down (230,000 animals).

• 10% couldn’t afford to neuter their pet.

However, the majority of respondents made personal sacrifices to ensure their pets didn’t go without:

• 770,000 pet owners skipped meals to look after their four-legged friends.

• 7% gave up personal luxuries.

• 16% reduced their energy consumption.

• 18% made savings on their weekly food shop.

A glimmer of hope

An article on the UK Parliament website says that, with the recent drop-in inflation rates (down from 11% in 2022 to 4% in 2024) and a fall in the price of gas and oil on the global stage, the cost of living could start to come down in the second half of 2024. But even with these falls they will still be well above pre-'energy crisis' levels.

In the meantime, the RSPCA recommends that struggling pet owners visit one of their pet food banks or contact their local RSPCA branch for further advice.

Looking for a fundraiser to support you through the cost-of-living crisis? we’ve got you covered. Call us on 0203 750 3111 for an informal chat.

The rise of the charity shop

The retail sector is fighting for its life. In 2022, almost 50 shops closed every day across the UK, and it was a similar story last year.

But the humble charity shop is bucking the trend. Not only are bricks-and-mortar stores growing in number, but sales are through the roof.

Oxfam’s retail income increased from £39.4m in 2020/21 to £90.3m in 2021/22, while Barnardo’s saw growth of 158% year-on-year to £78m in 2022.

And the trend is being seen across the sector. Data published by the Charity Retail Association shows that, between October and December 2022, there was a 9.1% increase in the average number of transactions per day in charity shops compared to the same period in 2021.

What’s caused the surge in popularity?

There are three factors at play:

Sustainability

Sustainability is a priority for consumers. A study by TheRoundup found that 62% of Brits “always or often” seek out environmentally friendly products.

Thrifting at a charity shop is the ultimate choice for eco-conscious shoppers, and donating is a great way of de-cluttering cupboards without cluttering up the environment.

Cost-of-living

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, shoppers are increasingly turning to charity shops to get the best value for their money. According to MIND, 48% of Brits have swapped their favourite high street stores for charity shops.

And it’s no surprise. Why break the bank at Givenchy when they can pop into one of Shelter’s boutique stores and pick up a designer, high-end high street, or vintage one-off find at a fraction of the price?

Social Media

Social media has also played a part in the charity shop boon.

The hashtag #CharityShopHaul has amassed 217 million views on TikTok, thanks to the rise of charity shop influencers like second-hand fashion stylist Jen Graham, who has grown an impressive following by promoting sustainable shopping.

Just under 100,000 people check out her regular charity shop hauls on Instagram.

And it’s a similar story on YouTube. Thousands of influencers can be found documenting their charity shop escapades and the bargains they pick up along the way.

Next Level

The nation’s obsession with thrift shopping has led to the emergence of initiatives that are taking charity shopping to the next level.

Here are a few examples.

Charity Superstores

Cancer Research UK and The Salvation Army are just two household names to have launched multi-department charity superstores.

Housed in retail units left vacant by failed retailers such as Debenhams, they offer everything from furniture and homeware to electricals and fashion.

Charity Supermarket

Launched in January 2022, Charity Super.Mkt is the UK’s first ‘multi-charity’ pop-up shop. The brainchild of Wayne Hemingway, founder of British fashion brand Red or Dead, and Maria Chenoweth, CEO of sustainable clothing charity TRAID, the pop-up visits different locations across the UK, bringing together second-hand fashion and accessories from the nation’s favourite charity retailers under one roof.

The first time that national and local charities have collaborated on a store, every penny goes to charity.

In its first four weeks, the pop-up raised over £300,000 and saved 11 tonnes of clothing from landfill.

Charity Shop Gift Card

In another ‘first’ for the sector, the Charity Retail Association (the national body representing charity retailers) rolled out the UK’s first Charity Shop Gift Card last year.

Accepted in shops run by regional and national charities across the UK, the CRA touts it as “the only gift card that can be spent in multiple charity shops across the UK”.

The card is made from recycled materials and can be purchased at various high street stores and supermarkets.

65% of the profits from the sales of The Charity Shop Gift Card go to UK-based charities.

Brand/charity collaborations

There are a growing number of collaborations between high street brands and charity shops, as corporate responsibility moves higher up the agenda.

For example, in 2017, high street clothing retailer TK Maxx staff launched a ‘Give Up Clothes for Good’ campaign.

Championed by celebrities and families living with cancer, the initiative rallied people across the UK to drop off their quality, pre-loved clothes, accessories, and homeware at collection points in TK Maxx stores. The items were then sold in Cancer Research UK shops.

TK Maxx customers collected over 1.7 million bags of donated goods, diverting more than 8800 tonnes of pre-loved items from landfill.

Final Word

While vintage fashion has long been popular, there’s no denying the boom in charity shops is taking on new vigour. If you’re not taking advantage, you’re missing out.

Looking to build up your fundraising team? We can help. Call us on 0203 750 3111 or email info@bamboofundraising.co.uk to get the conversation started.

Thanks but no thanks: when is it right for charities to refuse donations?

The RNLI hit the headlines in December last year for refusing a donation from a foxhunting fundraiser.

The Dungarvan Foxhounds Supporters Club, in Co. Waterford, Ireland, had planned to raise money for the lifeboat organisation with ‘a bucket collection boosted by a cap donation’, at a New Year’s Eve meet.

After turning the donation down, the charity explained its reasoning in a statement.

“The RNLI is aware of an independent, third-party local fundraising event planned for New Year’s Eve that would see the proceeds of a foxhound’s hunt meet, go to the RNLI. This is not an RNLI event. As such, no donation for this event has been received by the charity. The RNLI reserves the right to decline donations that are not in keeping with the purpose and the values of the institution.

We will not be accepting any donations from this activity or related activities, now or in the future”.

Well said.

Opinion

Like every other charity in the UK, the RNLI is feeling the financial strain of the cost-of-living crisis.

Under the circumstances, you’d have thought the charity would welcome every donation with open arms.

However, the trustees decided to put ethics before income.

And the charity bagged a ton of positive coverage as a result.

Voice of the regulator

From an ethical standpoint, RNLI made a sound decision, but was it lawful? 

In a word, yes.

On its website, the Charity Commission says, “it is up to a charity’s trustees to make the difficult decision as to whether they should refuse a donation. They must make this decision on the basis of the best interests of the charity. That will include weighing up any issues around how the funds were raised, which may include reputational concerns, against the financial impact on the charity of turning the donation down.

Different charities may legitimately come to different decisions, and trustees can approach the Commission for advice if they are unsure about their approach.”

However, the Commission urges trustees to think carefully before returning or refusing donations.

It says, “the law generally expects charities to accept monies where they are available, in order to deliver on their purposes for the public benefit, and not to refuse or return them without very good reason.”

Further guidance

The Charity Commission is updating its guidance for charities on accepting and refusing donations.

It’s set to be published later this year.

In the meantime, you can familiarise yourself with the rules and regs with the Institute of Fundraising’s Practical Guide To Dealing With Donations.

The guidance outlines “the legal principles that you need to know, goes through the questions that you will need to think about, and provides practical help and advice so that you can make the right decision for your charity”.

Looking to build your fundraising team? You’ve come to the right place. Give us a call on 0203 750 3111 or email info@bamboofundraising.co.uk to get started.

The importance of annual leave

By law, every employee in the UK has a basic entitlement of 5.6 weeks annual leave: that’s 28 days for full-time workers (and pro-rata for part-time employees).

There’s a good reason why the law is in place.

Breaks from work are essential for reducing stress, preventing burnout, and maintaining well-being. 

However, a recent report by Access People HR shows that charity workers aren’t taking their full entitlement.

The report shows that the average number of annual leave days taken by charity workers has dropped 4% in the last two years, from an average of 43.2 to 41.5 days per year.

This is despite the average allowance in the sector rising by 11% from 37.2 to 41.4 days.

Why aren’t charity workers using their leave?

The report attributes the dip in leave to the cost-of-living crisis.

For one thing, demand for services has risen dramatically. A study by Pro Bono Economics (PBE) found that 79% of charities have seen a surge in demand for financial, mental, and emotional support.

But while the need for services is greater than ever, resources and funds are in short supply.

According to Nationwide, six in ten Brits have cancelled or cut down on charitable giving since the crisis began.

As a result, charities are stretched. They’re having to adjust to rising costs, while donor income is squeezed.

And the situation is compounded by staff shortages.

The PBE study reveals that 54% of charities have vacancies to fill but 83% are finding it difficult to recruit.

The impact on leave

The challenges of the cost-of-living crisis mean charity staff are working longer hours and managing ever-increasing workloads.

As a result, staff feel leave is either not a priority, or not an option.

Advice

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a legal obligation to ensure the health of employees in the workplace. This includes taking the necessary steps to ensure employees don’t suffer from stress-related illness because of their work.

With no end to the cost-of-living crisis in sight, what can you do to ensure your staff de-stress and take time out for precious R&R?

Here are a few tips:

Send balance reminders

Send employees a monthly reminder of their remaining entitlement and highlight the importance of taking time for rest and recuperation.

Be flexible

Be flexible with leave requests. Sometimes, employees may need to take leave at short notice. Try to accommodate them where possible. And encourage them to take breaks throughout the year, even if it’s a day or two. 

Both gestures will show them you value their well-being.

Reduce the rollover limit

Limit the number of days that can be rolled over to the following year. A “use it or lose it” policy can prevent employees from hoarding leave and potentially burning out.

Introduce wellbeing days

Allocate employees two or three ‘wellbeing days’ a year. No questions asked. No notice required.

The odd day off for self-care can be a quick way to reset and stave off burnout.

Encourage staff to switch off

If employees spend their downtime responding to emails, it’s not downtime, is it?

When a member of staff books in leave, remind them of the importance of switching off.

Granted, it can be challenging to switch off completely when smartphones and tablets keep us connected 24/7. But suggest they set some ground rules. For example, limit check-ins to 30 minutes, once a day.

Organise cover

Assure employees that there are systems in place to ensure their work gets done.

Whoever is covering needs to be up-to-speed on current projects and have all the relevant documents in advance.

The last thing any employee wants is to feel overwhelmed and stressed as they step out of the office for a dream holiday.  

Create a buffer policy

Nothing kills the holiday vibe quicker than returning to an overflowing inbox or back-to-back meetings. Create a ‘buffer policy’ where time is allocated for employees to catch up and get on top of their admin. During this time, there are no meetings, deadlines, or new projects. This will prevent stress levels from returning on day one.

Lead by example

Finally, it’s important to lead by example. If you’re encouraging your people to take time off, but you haven’t had a day off since 2015, how can you expect to be taken seriously?

Not only does this send a conflicting message, it reinforces an ‘always on’ culture.

Need an extra fundraising bod to help you manage your workload? We can help. Give us a call on 0203 750 3111 or email info@bamboofundraising.co.uk to find out how.