U.K. Abuse Scandal Shows Risk for Charities in Strong Celebrity Tie

The firestorm in Britain over child-abuse allegations against the late entertainer Jimmy Savile highlights the dangers for nonprofit groups that are synonymous with individual stars, as is also the case with Lance Armstrong’s foundation, says The Guardian.

Mr. Savile, who died last year, was for decades a beloved television personality, widely hailed for his work on behalf of ill and disabled children. In recent weeks, accusations have come to light that he molested young girls.

Earlier this month the Jimmy Savile Charitable Trust and Jimmy Savile Stoke Mandeville Hospital Charitable Trust said they were considering changing their names and changing their missions to work with survivors of sexual abuse.

“Certainly charities will be more cautious now,” said Alex Massey, senior policy officer at the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organizations. “It reinforces the need to do your homework, if you are going to adopt the name of a well-known person as the main selling point or eye-catching feature of your brand.”

Read a Chronicle of Philanthropy opinion piece on how the Lance Armstrong Foundation can weather the doping case against its founder.