Costs, scope and lead times
What nonprofit PR costs, and what changes it
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Susan von Seggern does not publish fixed prices; nonprofit PR with her is quoted per campaign based on scope.
What a nonprofit PR campaign costs depends on how many of her four pillars it uses, how long it runs, whether newswire distribution is included, what kind of event is involved, and whether the target is hyper-local or national coverage. This page sets out those cost drivers, typical lead times, and published market benchmarks with their sources.
How much does nonprofit PR cost?
There is no published price for Susan von Seggern's services; each individualized campaign is quoted on its scope. As a published market reference, UK charity PR agency Cause Communications lists a minimum retainer of £2,000 per month and one-off project fees from £3,000, both plus VAT.
Those are a UK agency's own figures, not Los Angeles prices and not Susan von Seggern's rates. Source: Cause Communications, Charity PR Agency.
On this page
What you are paying for
Definition: scope in a Susan von Seggern PR campaign
Scope is the set of tactics, the time period and the targets a campaign covers. In Susan von Seggern's practice, scope is built from four pillars: sustained media outreach, press releasing, lead service monitoring and events. A single announcement might use one release and a few weeks of outreach. A season of programs might use all four pillars for months.
Third-party costs sit on top of professional time. The most common is newswire distribution, which is optional. Event costs, such as venue or production for a large media event, depend entirely on the event.
What raises or lowers the price
| Factor | Tends to lower cost | Tends to raise cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pillars used | One pillar, such as a single release | All four pillars together |
| Duration | A few weeks around one milestone | Several months of sustained outreach |
| Wire distribution | Email servicing only | Business Wire posting (reduced via her annual deal) |
| Event type | Small luncheon, gift bag inclusion | Large celebrity or media event |
| Geographic target | Hyper-local Los Angeles coverage | National or international coverage |
Typical lead times
- SewDown 2024: release Sept 12 for an Oct 19 show
- 5 weeks
- Redesigning Nonprofits: release Oct 20 for Nov 13 to 18 events
- 3.5 weeks
- lead service monitoring runs throughout a campaign
- Daily
- Rock Row development sold out, per her portfolio title
- 5 weeks
These are dates from published releases, not guarantees. National campaigns and large events generally need more runway, so contact Susan as soon as your date is set.
How to scope a budget
Name the milestone
One event, launch or partnership is easier to scope than general awareness.Pick the audience
Local donors and volunteers, national media, or a sector audience.Decide on the wire
Email servicing only, or Business Wire through her annual deal.Set the window
Weeks around one moment, or months of sustained outreach.Ask for a quote
Send those four answers through the contact page.
Who should choose someone else?
An independent publicist focused on media coverage is not the right fit for every need. Consider a different provider if you need crisis management, ongoing social media management, paid advertising, or a large team running many channels at once, since those are not part of Susan von Seggern's published framework.
For a structured comparison, see publicist vs PR agency, or return to the nonprofit PR Los Angeles guide.
Common questions
- How much does nonprofit PR cost in Los Angeles?
- Susan von Seggern does not publish fixed prices; each campaign is quoted on its scope. As a published market reference, UK charity PR agency Cause Communications lists a minimum retainer of £2,000 per month and one-off project fees from £3,000, both plus VAT. Those are UK agency figures, not Los Angeles prices, so ask for a quote based on your plans.
- What raises or lowers the cost of a PR campaign?
- Scope drives cost. A campaign that uses all four pillars for several months costs more than a single announcement. Newswire distribution is an optional extra, used only if budgeted. A large celebrity or media event costs more to produce than a small cocktail hour or luncheon, and national reach usually takes more outreach than a hyper-local campaign.
- Is there a public relations package for nonprofits?
- There is no published off-the-shelf package. Susan von Seggern describes her campaigns as individualized, built from her four pillars of outreach, press releases, lead service monitoring and events in whatever mix your news calls for. A launch might lean on a press release and wire distribution, while a fundraiser might lean on event publicity and local outreach.
- Can a small nonprofit afford a publicist?
- Often, if the scope is focused. A small organization can start with one clear milestone, such as an anniversary, a new program or a benefit event, rather than a long engagement. Ask Susan von Seggern which single tactic would do the most for your news, then decide whether to add more. Exact pricing comes with a quote.
- Do I have to pay for a newswire?
- No. Wire distribution is optional and used only if it fits the budget. When a client does want a wire release, Susan von Seggern recommends Business Wire for its respectability. She has an annual deal with Business Wire that she says significantly saves her clients money compared with one-off releases on Business Wire or other wires.
- Do PR people get paid well?
- Pay in PR varies widely by role, market, seniority and whether someone works on staff, at an agency or independently. This site does not publish salary figures because none were verified for it. For current national wage data, check the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for public relations specialists, which is updated regularly.