Beware the "Non-Profit"!!!

Beware the "non-profit"!!!!!!!! They like to call upon photographers to volunteer, yet very, very few of them are staffed by volunteers. It is almost certain that the person who contacted you and asked for your work-product for free is not working for free. If they are getting paid then they have a helluva nerve asking you to work for free. I can almost guarantee you that when you quote a fee for the usage the person there will say, "But we're a non-profit!" Your response should be simple and to the point: "That's fantastic, but I'm not!"

The only good reason to provide your time and work for free is if you truly believe in a charity's work and choose to support them. But don't let someone bully or shame you into not charging simply because the IRS recognizes them as a charity or they take it upon themselves to call what they do charity. As I said, it's very likely that the person calling you is being paid, and certainly "management" at the charity is being paid, and in fact is often grossly over-paid in my opinion. Just do an Internet search for "salaries at (fill in the charity that wants you to work for free)" and be prepared for shock and awe. Here are some examples: http://www.charitywatc​h.org/hottopics/Top25.​html

I understand that the majority of real charities do excellent work that helps a lot of people. But, think of how much more excellent work they could do if their top executives volunteered their time (just as they usually ask photographers to do) and the charity didn't have to pay all those six- and seven-figure salaries.

I get requests weekly for donations for charity auctions or my time to cover an event. If I donate to every person running an auction I'd go broke. Only event I am doing for free any time soon is in March, which is a great opportunity for networking.

The only non-profits I've donated work to (my business is printing, not photography) are one's I've been involved with, or maybe otherwise have a pesonal interest in. Otherwise, when I receive requests to donate work, I usually explain this, and invite them to send me some information so that I might consider them for a possible personal cash donation sometime in the future.

A few years ago, I was flattered when someone I knew contacted me and invited me to consider a position on the board of directors of the county United Way - until she mentioned the the printer that used to be on the board left.

Some non-profits, by the way, do seem to have, and spend, a lot of money, and are willing to pay well for good work.

Most large non-for-profit organizations function with a combination of paid staff and volunteers. You can't expect people to work full-time for nothing. We all need to put food on the table.

Many non-profits also rely heavily on donations from local businesses. Some donate cash, others donate product or service. You can decide to be one of them, or not.

"Pro bono" means "for the good of the public." In the legal profession, a certain amount of pro bono work is expected. You can decide who to donate your services to, and how much.

This sort of thing doesn't generate a direct, measurable benefit to your business, even if you are publicly recognized for your contribution. But if you go about it the right way and capitalize on the networking opportunities, you can build relationships that bear fruit down the road.

We all know that this business is relationship-driven. When someone needs pictures, he'll call a photographer he knows. The opportunity to meet people and demonstrate your skills in a professional environment is extremely valuable.

I've done bit of paid work for charities and usually took 50% as a donation slip..for taxes.
I've seen big charities spend ridiculous money on print campaigns expenses etc..
so monitoring them is important, if they have nice offices and equipment. I would question motives these days.

On the other hand if they are feeding people on the streets and operating with minimal overhead. I'd roll up my sleeves any day!!
cheers
Darrin

proimages wrote in post #15592328
I've done bit of paid work for charities and usually took 50% as a donation slip..for taxes.

Didn't think you could do that. Have you run that by your accountant?
When I have done charitable work I have been selective in the organizations.
I would assume almost all non-profits have salaried employees.

"I've done bit of paid work for charities and usually took 50% as a donation slip..for taxes."

You should check with your accountant on this, but my understanding is you can deduct your actual costs, not an amount based on your selling price.

I donate money each year to a couple of charities without hesitation. I do understand some of the people that work for these charities get paid. I see nothing wrong with this as they are full time jobs managing the charities.

If I was lucky enough to donate my photography skills to help a charity, I'd gladly do it with a smile on my face. Without charities, there would be way more hurt in this world. If I can help just a little to reduce this hurt, I am more than willing.

I am surprised everyone here thinks only about themselves. I just hope none of you ever get into a position where you require the services of one of the charitable organizations.

Hogloff wrote in post #15593824
I donate money each year to a couple of charities without hesitation. I do understand some of the people that work for these charities get paid. I see nothing wrong with this as they are full time jobs managing the charities.

If I was lucky enough to donate my photography skills to help a charity, I'd gladly do it with a smile on my face. Without charities, there would be way more hurt in this world. If I can help just a little to reduce this hurt, I am more than willing.

I am surprised everyone here thinks only about themselves. I just hope none of you ever get into a position where you require the services of one of the charitable organizations.

I think the point most people are saying is, they have no issues donating to charities of their choice. But have reservations for charities or non-profits that have executives pulling in huge salaries...it's a bit contradictory.

rob0225 wrote in post #15593865
I think the point most people are saying is, they have no issues donating to charities of their choice. But have reservations for charities or non-profits that have executives pulling in huge salaries...it's a bit contradictory.

Just about every charity I know have their executives pulling in a 6 figure salary. Again, this is their full time job, managing the collection and distribution of millions of dollars a year. Do you expect them to do this full time job for free? Would you?

Hogloff wrote in post #15593999
Just about every charity I know have their executives pulling in a 6 figure salary. Again, this is their full time job, managing the collection and distribution of millions of dollars a year. Do you expect them to do this full time job for free? Would you?

No I wouldn't work for free...but if they believed in "charity" and their cause as much as they want others to, what is wrong with taking a reduced salary...why do they need to make millions?

..disclaimer..please check with your local accountant before donating half your pay!!

The real point is how charities spend the money, the booklets sent out recently by a major charity were quite elaborate and in my opinion wasted a lot of the money on ad agencies and publishers that seemed wrong.

My work with the blind foundation..I was doing real work and was mostly interested in a pay check..when they gave me the contribution slip but it was better than nothing. It just had a number figure and no reference to how the figure was arrived at. When they did my taxes that year I didn't have any real profit so the paper was worthless.

moral of the story: Charitable Donations are only good when you earn a profit. While building up a production company profit is not something I get to experience.
I did shoot some footage for Sierra Club last year 'at a reduced rate' and considered that project a win win..

Everyone seems on the same page, help who you believe in and learn the magic word for the rest! NO!!

rob0225 wrote in post #15594856
No I wouldn't work for free...but if they believed I "charity" and their cause as much as they want others to, what is wrong with taking a reduced salary...why do they need to make millions?

I don't see them making millions. The charities I contribute to, the executives make between $150,000 and $250,000 which I consider very reasonable. This is their full time positions.

As far as working, I don't consider it work when I donate my time. I consider it a donation which I don't expect $$$ in return. Sure, if I was working full time for the charity I would expect an appropriate wage, but donating ones time for a few hours is hardly full time.

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Hogloff wrote in post #15594954
I don't see them making millions. The charities I contribute to, the executives make between $150,000 and $250,000 which I consider very reasonable. This is their full time positions.

As far as working, I don't consider it work when I donate my time. I consider it a donation which I don't expect $$$ in return. Sure, if I was working full time for the charity I would expect an appropriate wage, but donating ones time for a few hours is hardly full time.

I think those are reasonable salaries for someone running a fairly large charity or non-profit. However, there are some charities and on-profits out there who's execs are making 7 figures.