Thread: Charities WWBD

I know this has come up a lot but I can't seem to find this specific question. We have a ton of charities in this area who all want dancers...for free. I'm not against pro-bono work every once and a while. Espeically for an organization that is non-profit and doesn't have a lot of fundraising events/isn't very well funded period. However, what about the big events ie the Diabetes Galas where a plate is $2000? I think it's ridiculous that they don't want to pay anything for entertainment.
I know some dancers counter with a discounted rate. Does this ever work? How do you convince someone who wants it for free to pay a discounted rate? Especially since so many will dance for free for the "exposure".

Just wondering what all you fabulous buzzers do. ..g.:

First off, I think it's up to you who you want to give to. Donating or discounting a performance is just like donating money--or at least it is to me. I don't give to every solicitation--I have my favorite charities/causes that I support. I feel that the same standards should hold for any donations or discounts on performances.

As for convincing someone to pay a discounted rate, well, you need to explain to them that you need to be paid just like their caterers need to be paid. At $2000/plate, I doubt they have volunteer grandmas in cooking all day. You need to explain to them that you are a business that needs to be compensated like any other business. Again, it's up to you to decide if and how much to discount, but my personal opinion is that if they can't respect me as a professional then why should I support them. If they can't budge to even pay for gas, then let them hire Suzy Nippletassels who will embarrass their upper-crust donors who I'm sure are expecting a classy event for their $2k.

Just MO!

If you do dance for free at a non-profit/charity event, make sure that you get a donation form from them (most charities have a standard form that they use...otherwise you can get a template from either the IRS or a tax professional) for the value of your performance for tax time. Its a donation of services and it is typically tax deductible as a charitable contribution.

Its really up to you whether or not you want to donate, cut them a deal, or charge them full price. What I do personally varies. If a charity is a cause that I'm already involved in or is something near and dear to my heart, then I'm more likely to donate. If its a worthy cause and they approach me correctly, then I'll either donate or cut them a deal. But if we're talking some big budget $2k per plate gala, no dice. A lot of my attitude towards it depends on the attitude that the organization approaches me with. They immediately go to the "you'll get exposure" place, that turns me off pretty quick.

If you do dance "for the exposure" make sure you are actually getting it. I'd insist that you are in the program (including your contact info), get hotlinks from their website, and are able to give your card/flyer for classes to all the attendees. If they are offering the opportunity for exposure, make sure that you actually get exposed. Cause simply getting up there and dancing in front of everyone isn't enough...they have to realize that you are for hire or that you teach classes.

Originally Posted by safiradokos

If you do dance for free at a non-profit/charity event, make sure that you get a donation form from them (most charities have a standard form that they use...otherwise you can get a template from either the IRS or a tax professional) for the value of your performance for tax time. Its a donation of services and it is typically tax deductible as a charitable contribution.

Actually, I don't think that's correct. You are only allowed to deduct your expenses--mileage, etc. You aren't allowed to deduct the market value of your services. Double check with an accountant on this, but I believe that's how it works. Artists who donate work to a museum, for example, are only allowed to deduct the expenses of their material (paint, canvas, etc.). I know this because I'm a museum curator.

Aazura is correct - according to the IRS, you cannot deduct donated services. It's stated on page 5 of this IRS documentation http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf, "you cannot deduct the value of your services given to a qualified organization".

My own policy is to allow myself one free charity performance per fiscal quarter. If two organizations request a donated performance within that time frame, I explain the policy to the second one, informing them that the "no-cost" slot for this quarter has already been taken.

I do offer a 20% discount to any non-profit group, although I only bring it up if they balk at my full rate. The 20% is off of the performance package base rate - if I have to charge for millage or whatever, there's no discount on that portion of the overall cost.

With this method, I find I don't feel put on the spot by non-profit groups. They have a shot at a free performance, and if they miss out on that, I offer a 20% discount. If that's not good enough for them, tough noogies - they may be a charity, but I'm not!

I don't have much to add. Just concurring that I think of it as a donation and treat it as such. Some dancers 'budget' those performances -- say, one per quarter, or one per year -- and then decide who they want to donate it to based on their own values/priorities. I think that's a great idea.

I don't think there's any harm in saying 'I'm sorry, I only donate XX performances per year and I've already committed to that many. I'd love to support your cause and I can offer you my regular 20% non-profit discount, would that help you? I can promise you a solid, highly entertaining professional performance with dazzling costumes in keeping with the nature of your event."

(or whatever your sales pitch is)

I'd let them off the hook quickly if they don't want to pay, though. Depending on the popularity of their cause, they may be able to find great performers who will donate, and of course everything they have to pay out of pocket takes away from their fundraising. From their POV it would be silly to pay for anything they can get donated.

From our POV, it would be silly to dance for free for anyone who asks, so this feels like a good compromise to me.

OK, somewhat related: what about school events/PTA sponsored events? Having been a teacher and having to plan any sort of entertainment, we didn't always have much of a budget.

I've been asked by a smaller school, that focuses on visual and performing arts. They asked what I charged, and I asked for more info before setting a price. And I haven't hear back.....worried that they are looking for completely free. I'd consider a discount, but not free. ,f::

I have done some work this way (when I feel it is MY cause)but it is rather silly when they contact you.
They are paying for the caterer, the band, wait staff, and the venue, not to mention advertising but then want you to do it for free?
I just recieved such a call this week. It went like this:
We are planning an event for Nurses week, we have no budget, we want you to come and dance then teach classes for free that day. (Wow, I'm thinking, let me jump on this one! Keeping in mind I am not a nurse nor do I know the person contacting me). I keep my cool and say perhaps we could charge a small fee per student for the class? No there would be no charge to them. She then goes off to say that nail salons would be coming in to do nails for a small fee (nails can charge but not me?.w.:). I suggest that I could offer them a discounted class voucher for one of my other classes, no still need me to come in a dance for free anyway.
I then got fed up and asked her if she would be willing to go in to any place on a cold call and start IV's for a few hours but they could not pay her, would she? She stated "well that is different, that's my JOB!" And I stated that this is my job which helps support my family. She then said she would contact other dancers, sure someone would want to dance because maybe they would get students in the future from it (how many times can you hear that one?). And seriously, in my neck of the woods, she's right! I am sure there are dancers here who would jump at no pay just to be there!
So sorry for the vent, I have gotten so many of these that I am fed up. If I want to give you my services for free, I will contact you. (same as the charity phone calls I recieve). OK now I sound like a horrible person, but that is the thing, it makes you feel bad that you aren't helping, guilt. I still say no and deal with the guilt later (thinking about the paid caterer).

I don't mind people asking. After all, the person making the phone call is usually a volunteer staffer who's been told to try to line up some donated entertainment, and they're just trying to help their cause.

I can understand them trying to be persuasive, just like anyone asking for a donation to charity might. But they shouldn't cross the line into pushy or try to make people feel guilty!

Originally Posted by resullivan

OK, somewhat related: what about school events/PTA sponsored events? Having been a teacher and having to plan any sort of entertainment, we didn't always have much of a budget.

If it were my own child's school, I'd do it for free because a lot of parents donate time and services at PTA and other school events. But if not, my normal non-profit policy would apply.

I think word has gotten out about me - I used to get these calls all the time, but I haven't bee cold called by a charity for a free performance for the past year or so.

Regarding the high-end event...It really is good exposure and great on a resume. I would do it for free. Plus those events tend to treat their entertains well and I have always enjoyed myself at those events.

Regarding schools-I will usually do those for free, too, especially since I have a school-aged child. However, last year I was called by a different school and they paid my full rate. I gave them much more than I usually do for the party-rate, though.

But I keep my freebies in proportion with my paying jobs.