Non Profit Companies

[likethegoddess]

Some designers will do "pro bono" design work for worthy causes, taking the term from the legal practice giving back by taking worthy cases for free.

I think of a "pro bono" project as a donation of services to an organization if I feel strongly about. As with any sort of donation, I'm mindful of giving within my means.

That said, I work for non-profits and I get paid. My pay rate is gauged accordingly and the amount of time I allot for each project may be reduced. I work with small, local non-profits and work closely with them. So, I have an understanding of their overall economic situation and how well their organization works.

Diana

[brokendalek]

There is an alternative, whether the charity is huge or small.

You can ask for a rundown of how effective a charity is as your payment.

Let's take a (really well known) charity helping out victims of a tsunami. They were very "efficient" in delivering several thousand polar coats to the tropical country. They had the coats on hand, they shipped them -- efficient.

Efficient, but not effective. This is one, very small story, and very common when people donate blindly because the cause makes 'em feel good.

Taking your pay for very simple, easily obtained performance data will open your eyes. Some employees will react like you just slapped them in the face.

Reading up on what nonprofits actually do with the donations people make (just because they think the money is going to be spent well) is a real eye opener. And these are the name brand institutions. But that's what you're helping to promote with the free logos, ads, and designer services you're chucking at them with no strings attached.

Get this straight. A nonprofit is not a cause. Never confuse a nonprofit with the cause they drape over themselves to keep you from looking at the nonprofit operations.

Want to change the world with your design business? This is the way to end some very unpleasant practices.


Useless tsunami aid includes thong panties ...Sri Lankans also have no use for winter jackets, stiletto heels This doesn't phase me. I've encountered nonprofits and met some of the higher ups, so I understand how things work.

BTW, I've also volunteered my time to direct administration of charity. It's a better gig.

What makes me puke is people who wear their hearts on their sleeve and wear it like a knockoff Gucci because it makes themselves feel good. There must be a special place in hades reserved.

What’s Efficiency, Anyway? This is about nonprofit efficiency versus effectiveness. Question: What happens to the cushy salaries if the cause is properly and effectively addressed by the nonprofit?

Oh, don't be so miserable about it. Obviously Toon thinks that it's a nice thing to do, and I think that it's highly commendable so why **** on his parade?

[jeffross]

We've done pro-bono work at my job here for non-profits and other businesses. We just feel it's a way to give back to the community and support something that's a good cause.

[zumojuice]

Doing charity work can pay for itself in other ways other than money. As a great designer once said, if you're in it for the money, you're in the wrong line of work. (Toon, 2008)

[Toon]

if you're in it for the money, you're in the wrong line of work. (Toon, 2008)

Yeah I think I'd been drinking that day!

[zumojuice]

you have non-drinking days?

[Toon]

Had one once, didn't know what to do with myself

[zumojuice]

So THATS why you started smoking!

[vdowsett]

I did a website and all maintenance for a charity for free, because it was a cause that touched my heart. I did it selflessly, without asking anything back.

I did however say no when another organisation caught wind of this, and asked for a free website too, and quoted to do their site at a more than reasonable price. They haven't been back!

If I had to do this over again, I would do exactly the same!

[Cwilk]

Okay.....doing pro-bono work for nonprofits, charity organizations, not-for-profits is very much profitable whether you're doing it for free or not.

Let me clear the air on taxes in the U.S. and doing pro-bono work:

Your time is NOT tax deductible. The only thing that is deductible on taxes are the tangible items and the mileage from driving back and forth in order to serve that specific charity. In these instances you have to keep receipts and mileage. But your time is in fact NOT deductible.

Now as for doing pro-bono work, there are benefits which is why many people and companies do it.

Here are some benefits for a freelancer or small design firm to do pro-bono work:

1. When you negotiate your name as a sponsor for a nonprofit event, (and we all know as designers how valuable advertising is) you've just been able to expose your company or name to lots of potential clients.

2. Many startup nonprofits may not be "profitable" at first, so doing pro-bono work at the beginning and helping a nonprofit to look professional may help them grow. This benefits you in the long run because they'll remember you for that. It also allows you to toot your horn by putting in a resume that you have experience 'marketing' as well as advertising. Most designers never get this kind of experience and it's invaluable.

3. Your name automatically becomes a referral from the nonprofit organization that you did work for. Most of these types of organizations are so happy that you did work for them that they'll refer you to anyone and everyone just to keep you busy so that you'll continue to do work for them.

4. When a nonprofit is not making money but ends up making money, you'll be the first person they start to pay. This has happened with our company in many instances. And the pay is pretty darn good too because as stated before, lots of nonprofits make great money.

Now also you need to keep in mind when you're doing pro-bono work for a nonprofit that they should be treated just like any other client. Make sure you have a contract in place on what you would like to receive 'in-kind' from that organization. Make sure that just because you are performing the work 'for free' that the design work you create is not lesser or subpar in quality. And by all means, deliver your design work 'on-time'. As stated above too, don't expect back for your free work, because if you do, you may be disappointed. But also find events or organizations that you feel good about donating your design time to.

Now I just did a logo design for Nancy Cartwright (voice of Bart Simpson) as a pro-bono for her new nonprofit event. I actually got this cool certificate signed by her thanking me for my donation and I've gotten a major client from Los Angeles out of it. Getting the new client and being able to say that I've done design work for Nancy Cartwright of all people, gets me more clients of that caliber.

So think twice before you turn down pro-bono work for a nonprofit organization.