Charity Press Programme with PA Media Group
Get your charity’s story in front of journalists across the UK with our free charity press programme
Looking for support with distributing your charity’s press releases? Media Trust has partnered with PA Media Group, the UK’s national news agency, to help charities develop and share important stories across the country.
Through our free Charity Press Programme, selected charities will receive feedback from experienced media professionals to help refine their press release before it is distributed through PA Media Group’s press release distribution service.
This gives your charity the opportunity to put its story in front of journalists from a wide range of news organisations who use PA Media Group’s services to find potential stories.
Whether you’re launching a campaign, sharing new research, announcing a significant milestone or highlighting your impact, we can help maximise your chance of journalists seeing your story.
Applications are open on a rolling basis, with up to two charities selected each month.
Apply todayHow the programme works
Our Charity Press Programme gives eligible charities access to professional feedback and a press release distribution opportunity that would normally be beyond the budget of many smaller organisations.
1. Submit your story and draft press release
Charities apply via our online application form with a newsworthy story they would like to share with journalists.
You do not need to have a perfect final press release, but your submission should include a clear story, key information and enough detail for our team to understand the potential media angle.
2. Receive feedback from media professionals
If selected, Media Trust will arrange for your press release to be reviewed by volunteer media professionals.
They will provide timely feedback and suggestions to help ensure your release is clear, accurate and ready for distribution through PA Media Group.
3. Approve and distribute your press release
You will be responsible for reviewing feedback, making any agreed changes and approving the final version.
Once approved, your press release will be distributed through PA Media Group’s press release distribution service, giving journalists the opportunity to discover and consider your story.
Please note that distribution does not guarantee media coverage. Decisions about whether to publish a story are always made independently by journalists and news organisations.
Who can apply?
This opportunity is designed for UK charities and nonprofit organisations that have an important story to share but limited communications or PR capacity.
Eligible organisations:
- Are UK registered charities or eligible not-for-profit organisations
- Have an annual income of £1 million or less
- Do not receive retained or ongoing support from an external PR or communications agency
- Have a genuinely newsworthy story with potential media interest
- Can respond promptly during the review and approval process
What makes a good press story?
Journalists are looking for stories that are timely, relevant and interesting to their audiences.
Examples of stories that may be suitable include:
- New research, reports or findings
- Campaign launches
- Significant funding announcements
- Innovative projects or approaches
- Awareness days with a strong news angle
- Compelling human-interest stories (with appropriate permissions)
Your story should have a clear reason why people should care about it now. This might be because of a new development, a significant milestone, a connection to something currently in the news or a wider issue affecting communities.
You do not need to be an expert in writing press releases to apply, but your story should already be developed enough for a press release to be reviewed.
What to expect if you’re selected
If selected, you will:
- Provide a draft press release or detailed information about the story
- Work with Media Trust to review feedback from volunteer media professionals
- Make any agreed changes within the agreed timescales
- Confirm that all information provided is accurate and have permission to use any images, quotes, case studies or other materials
- Approve the final press release before distribution
- Provide a media contact who can respond to journalist enquiries following distribution
Apply for our Charity Press Programme
If your charity has a story to share and would benefit from professional feedback and expert distribution, we’d love to hear from you!
Apply todayFrequently asked questions
Do we need to already have a press release?
We ask that charities have a draft press release or a clear outline of your story before applying.
This programme provides expert feedback and support to help refine your press release before distribution. It does not provide a full press release writing service.
I'm not sure where to start. Do you have a press release template?
Yes! Our press release template maps out a basic structure for writing a press release, and details all the key information PA Media will need to get your story live.
If you require the template in an alternative format, please get in touch at volunteering@mediatrust.org.
Download our press release templateWill this programme guarantee media coverage?
No. While distribution through PA Media Group gives your story the opportunity to be seen by journalists, it does not guarantee that your story will be published.
Journalists and media organisations make independent editorial decisions about which stories they cover and how they cover them.
Can we apply if we have never had media coverage before?
Yes! Previous media coverage is not required. We are interested in whether your story has potential to interest journalists and their audiences.
What happens after we apply?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Media Trust will assess your organisation’s eligibility, the strength and timeliness of your proposed story, your communications capacity and how much your charity would benefit from additional support.
Successful applicants will be contacted with next steps.
How much does it cost?
The programme is free for eligible charities. However, selected charities will need to commit time to reviewing feedback, making any agreed changes and approving their press release within the agreed timescales.
Our Corporate Partners
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