Thread: Bellydance for non-profit event without pay. Should I?

I am wondering if there are lots of dancers out there who do volunteering dance gigs for community nonprofit events, festivals, etc? I've started performing in the last 3 years and they all have been nice gigs for local, private, similar events. I did do one free gig with a dance friend of mine for a local festival.

I have now been approached by one of my city's big multicultural organizations for whom I have done shows in the last 2 years (good $) and they have really liked my show. They have asked me if I would be interested in doing a 10-minute dance wihtout pay for a nonprofit event. Should i take it? I suppose it's nice for exposure and stuff but also it's my time and it's not exactly close to where I live. How do you guys general feel for volunteer dancing?

Thanks for any advice:)

I can't give any advice on whether or not you should but the best advice I ever read on when you do work for non-profit is to offer to "donate" your performance. Instead of doing it for free you arrange for them to pay you your regular fee and then you turn around immediately and write out a check to them for the same amount as a donation. That way you don't devalue your work and you get your donation on record for tax purposes.

Other then that I suppose the question is whether or not it is a cause you want to support?

Originally Posted by aida21

I have now been approached by one of my city's big multicultural organizations for whom I have done shows in the last 2 years (good $) and they have really liked my show. They have asked me if I would be interested in doing a 10-minute dance without pay for a nonprofit event. Should i take it? How do you guys general feel for volunteer dancing?

Here are some questions that may help you decide what to do:

• Would doing the free gig lead to a stronger relationship with the organization that would in turn lead to another well-paid paying gig?
• Are other entertainers donating their time to the nonprofit event, or are the DJ's, live band, etc. getting paid? If they're getting paid, is it their normal rate, or are they discounting it for the nonprofit?
• Is the nonprofit event going to benefit a cause that you strongly want to support?
• Would there be an opportunity for you to get a free ad in their program, or to distribute your flyers to every table as "compensation" for your performance?
• Is it possible that after you commit to doing this event for free, you'd then have to turn down a lucrative paying gig that comes along later? I.e., if you take this, will it consume you at a time that you could have otherwise done a paying gig?

One option is to establish a policy that make you feel comfortable, and then evaluate each invitation to see whether it qualifies for your policy.

For example, your policy might be something like this: "I will dance at a maximum of 2 free gigs per year. Each of these gigs must be either a benefit for a non-profit whose work I value so highly that if I weren't donating a dance I'd consider donating money, or it must provide me with compensation in the form of free advertising for my dance business such as a free ad in the program."

You don't have to tell other people your policy, its purpose is just to give you a guideline that will help you evaluate the invitations when they arise.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

One option is to establish a policy that make you feel comfortable, and then evaluate each invitation to see whether it qualifies for your policy.

For example, your policy might be something like this: "I will dance at a maximum of 2 free gigs per year. Each of these gigs must be either a benefit for a non-profit whose work I value so highly that if I weren't donating a dance I'd consider donating money, or it must provide me with compensation in the form of free advertising for my dance business such as a free ad in the program."

Excellent advice. My personal policy is no freebies but I am happy to offer a special discount for not-for-profits and charities. That way, I am preserving the value of my service to a large extent, can still make a living, and don't end up feeling resentful at dancing for free when I could be earning good money elsewhere or tucked up on my couch in fluffy slippers eating chocolate.

Excellent advice from everyone so far!

Originally Posted by Ariadne_Eleni

I can't give any advice on whether or not you should but the best advice I ever read on when you do work for non-profit is to offer to "donate" your performance. Instead of doing it for free you arrange for them to pay you your regular fee and then you turn around immediately and write out a check to them for the same amount as a donation. That way you don't devalue your work and you get your donation on record for tax purposes.

Other then that I suppose the question is whether or not it is a cause you want to support?

This is a trick I picked up from my Dad when he would be asked to donate a piece of art from time to time- helps avoid the hassle of reporting "in kind donations" which the accountant likes- but for an organization which has to have all expenses approved by a board, it is often easier just to get a signed receipt/invoice for your tax records, and I think it does the same thing in terms of communicating to the recipient that you *are* donating something of value.

Beyond the considerations Shira mentioned, *IF* you are considering the exposure angle, you need to know exactly what that exposure will entail. Will it really benefit you in the long run? There is no easy answer to this. Many times, it is not worth it for exposure alone, but some venues do. You need to know who you are targeting and whether that demographic will actually be exposed to your performance or your advertising if you work out an exchange of some kind in that direction. Find out what the attendance is generally like, and how your performance will be featured. Is this a mainstage performance and a big feature of the event, or will you be tucked away in a corner or classroom somewhere? So many things to consider!
I generally stick to the "would I donate to them anyway" rule for non-profits, but I also keep an eye on things like certain health fairs and have had good turn out at women centered events (not that I don't support women centered events or health fairs in general, but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to donate to most of them!)

There is nothing inherently wrong with donating a free performance to a charity or non-profit. As Shira pointed out, an important consideration is whether other performers are getting paid. Personally, I would probably NOT perform for free if other performers are getting paid, as that is similar to undercutting the private market.

Another thing we do is draw up a contract for charity events that shows what our rate would be for the show, and then indicate that the fee has been waived as a donation. This gives people a more tangible understanding of your donation.

Originally Posted by ssipes

There is nothing inherently wrong with donating a free performance to a charity or non-profit. As Shira pointed out, an important consideration is whether other performers are getting paid. Personally, I would probably NOT perform for free if other performers are getting paid, as that is similar to undercutting the private market.

Another thing we do is draw up a contract for charity events that shows what our rate would be for the show, and then indicate that the fee has been waived as a donation. This gives people a more tangible understanding of your donation.

This. Exactly.

Deborah