When Bad Things Happen to Good Organizations: Crisis Communications for Nonprofits
In this episode of The Nonprofit Edge, host Chris Looney sits down with Rebecca Hall, President and CEO of Idea Hall, to explore one of the most challenging realities nonprofit leaders face: navigating a crisis.
Whether it is an unexpected leadership transition, a reputational challenge, a funding disruption, or a serious internal issue, moments of crisis test the strength, clarity, and values of an organization. How leaders communicate during those moments often determines whether trust is strengthened or permanently damaged.
Rebecca Hall has spent her career guiding organizations through complex communications challenges, helping leaders respond with clarity, compassion, and credibility. In this practical and insightful conversation, she shares how nonprofit leaders can prepare for crises before they happen and how to respond effectively when the unexpected occurs.
In this episode, you will learn:
• What actually qualifies as a crisis in a nonprofit context• Why silence during a crisis often creates more suspicion than clarity• The critical role of legal counsel in shaping communications strategy• How to approach the first 24–48 hours after a crisis emerges• Why internal stakeholders, especially staff and board members, must be prioritized• How values based leadership can guide communication in moments of intense public scrutiny• Why proactive preparation, including a crisis playbook, can dramatically improve response
Rebecca also discusses the growing challenge of misinformation, the speed at which narratives can spread online, and why proactive media monitoring has become essential for modern nonprofit leadership.
Crisis is never convenient. But with the right preparation, clarity of values, and strong communication practices, organizations can emerge stronger and more trusted than before.
If you lead a nonprofit, serve on a board, or work in development or communications, this conversation offers practical guidance that every mission driven organization should understand.
