Getting the right digital agency for your charity, goes beyond a procurement process. Here’s our thoughts on what to consider, followed by some info on top charity focused agencies.
What to consider
1. Make Sure They Understand Charity Goals
Every charity is different, but most share a few common goals:
- Raising funds — through individual giving, events, legacy donations or major gifts.
- Building awareness — reaching new audiences, shaping public opinion, or educating the public.
- Growing support — recruiting volunteers, engaging members, or mobilising communities.
- Driving action — whether it’s petition signatures, policy change, or local engagement.
A good agency should start by asking you about your goals, not just pushing services. They should be able to translate those goals into clear digital strategies: whether that’s running high impact paid campaigns, building content that moves people, or improving how you show up in search results.
If they don’t ask what success looks like to you, they’re not really listening.
2. Ask How They Turn Strategy Into Results
Digital marketing isn’t magic. It’s a mix of creativity, data, and persistence.
For example:
- Want to increase donations? They might focus on landing pages, paid search, and email automations to nurture potential givers.
- Need to reach new audiences? They may suggest organic social campaigns, paid Meta ads, and influencer partnerships aligned with your values.
- Looking to improve your digital presence? They’ll look at SEO, web accessibility, content strategy, and storytelling.
But the key is alignment: your agency should show you how each tactic ties directly back to your mission.
3. Prioritise Honesty and Clarity
Charities often work with limited time, budget, and capacity. You need an agency that will be honest about what’s possible — and clear about what’s working.
Look for:
- Transparent pricing — no hidden extras.
- Clear reporting — not just vanity metrics, but real impact (donations, actions taken, engagement from key audiences).
- Collaborative working — are they responsive? Do they upskill your team? Do they feel like an extension of your mission?
4. Don’t Settle for Generic
Many agencies say they “work with charities.” However, eal expertise means understanding compliance, tone of voice, ethical storytelling, and how to get the most from the Google Ad Grant or tight media budgets.
Look at their case studies. Do they know what it’s like to work with trustees, balance internal buy-in, or run campaigns on small budgets?
The best agencies for charities
We have looked at 4 different agencies which specialise in supporting charities, to help you choose the right digital agency for your organisation.
Platypus Digital
A certified B Corp, Platypus Digital has been exclusively working with charities since 2014, and its client list includes some of the biggest NGOs.
- Clients: Amnesty International, Samaritans, War Child
- Services: Google Ads and Google Grants Management, Meta Ads, TikTok Ads, Spotify Ads, Google Analytics, Digital Reviews, SEO, Conversion Rate Optimisation, Digital Training
Uprise Up
A multi-award winning digital marketing agency, Uprise Up has been supporting charities with their digital marketing for over 10 years.
- Clients: Dementia UK, Crisis, NSPCC
- Services: Digital Strategy, Analytics, SEO, Google Ads and Google Grant Management, Digital Training, User Experience, Conversion Rate Optimisation
Giant Digital
Giant Digital has been working with charities and ethical organisations since 2011, and offers a wide range of digital services and support.
- Clients: Help for Heroes, Whizz Kids, Climate Impact Partners
- Services: Digital Strategy, Google Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimisation, SEO, Website Design & Build, Paid Media, Social Media
Kithe
Kithe has worked with both small and large charities, as well as organisations which support the charity sector, and focuses on providing cost-effective digital marketing solutions.
- Clients: The Fundraising Regulator, Carers UK, Youth Mental Health Foundation
- Services: Meta Ads, Google Ads, Google Grants Management, Digital Marketing Strategy, Digital Training
Speak to us today to understand how we can improve your charity’s digital presence.
Disclaimer: The above information was taken from each agency’s website at time of writing. We recommend contacting the agency directly to clarify their offering and certifications.