CharityComms aims to promote best practice, effectiveness and integration for not-for-profit communications professionals.

After repeated delays, it was announced last week that the body would be up and running in September.

The need for such a body has been questioned by voluntary sector umbrella bodies including the PR in Fundraising group – an arm of Institute of Fundraising. But many of the top PROs in the sector did not share those these concerns when approached by PRWeek.

British Heart Foundation head of comms David Barker said the new body was unique owing to its wider focus on communications across the voluntary sector. ‘Other existing bodies are concerned with sole disciplines, but as communication professionals in the voluntary sector we are charged with a much wider remit including corporate reputation management and brand guardianship,’ he said.

This organisation will be a voice for communications professionals across the voluntary sector.’

NSPCC director of comms John Grounds agreed. He said: ‘The organisation has real breadth. It brings together every strand of communications activity from marketing, advertising, celebrity support, online and campaigns.’

CharityComms is brainchild of the Institute of Fundraising chair Joe Saxton and NGO Media founder Gideon Burrows.

The body will provide networking opportunities, a supplier directory and professional development advice. It will also take over responsibility for the popular Ask Charity website, which will be extended to reach MPs. Charities that have signed up include Cancer Research UK, Barnardo’s, Guide Dogs, Oxfam, Leonard Cheshire, the British Heart Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, NSPCC, British Red Cross, RNIB, and Unicef-UK.