A Third of Charity Communications Staff Are Burnt Out, Report Finds

Why It Matters

Rising burnout and turnover risk destabilizing charity communications, a function critical for donor engagement and public trust. Addressing workload, wellbeing, and professional development is essential to retain talent and sustain sector impact.

Key Takeaways

• 33% of charity comms staff plan to change jobs
• Burnout rose to 33% from 26% in 2024
• Larger charities show 48% satisfaction vs 82% in smaller ones
• 63% lack training plans; training reduces turnover intent
• Average salary $55k; brand managers $61k, fundraisers $49k

Pulse Analysis

Charity communications teams are at a tipping point, with a third of professionals indicating they will seek new opportunities. The surge in burnout—from 26% to 33% within a year—mirrors broader pressures in the nonprofit sector, where funding volatility often forces cuts to marketing and communications budgets. When staff feel overextended, as 39% of respondents reported, the quality of messaging suffers, potentially eroding donor confidence and public perception. Organizations that fail to address these stressors risk a talent exodus that could cripple their ability to tell compelling stories and secure essential support.

Compounding the burnout issue is a stark disparity in job satisfaction between large and small charities. Larger entities, despite greater resources, recorded only 48% staff satisfaction compared with 82% in smaller outfits. This gap suggests that scale alone does not guarantee a healthier work environment; instead, it points to systemic challenges such as bureaucratic overload and limited personal impact. Moreover, the survey uncovered that 63% of communications staff lack a defined training or development plan for the coming year. Data shows that employees with clear growth pathways are far less likely to consider leaving—only 22% versus 36% for those without. Investing in continuous learning not only boosts morale but also equips teams with the latest digital and storytelling tools needed in a competitive fundraising landscape.

Salary insights add another layer to the retention puzzle. The average communications salary of £43,168 translates to roughly $55,000, with brand managers earning about $61,000 and fundraisers at $49,000. While these figures represent modest increases year‑over‑year, they remain modest relative to private‑sector equivalents, reinforcing the perception that marketing talent is undervalued in the charity world. To mitigate turnover, charities should embed regular wellbeing check‑ins into one‑to‑one meetings, monitor overtime, and align compensation with market benchmarks. By coupling fair pay with robust development programs and realistic workload expectations, the sector can preserve the expertise needed to drive mission‑critical communication strategies.