Non Profit Companies

[Dwellupon]

I am a firm believer that a designer should not work for free. Every thing we create is a service and should be treated as such. However i have a question i am confused about. If the company is non profit, Say Race for the Cure, would it be acceptable and non detrimental to our industry to complete work for these companies for free? I am on the fence about this one so i would like everyone's opinion.

[D856C]

There seems to be some misconception that these companies shouldn't be charged.

That's preposterous. Non profits pay for the services they get. I worked for one who built a $30 Million Dollar wing on their building. Everybody got paid.

The delusion nonprofits don't get charged is just that -- delusional.

Does a nonprofit need a brochure if they can't pay? No. They can get an employee to plop some clipart into Word.

Does a nonprofit need a logo if they can't pay. No. Do without one. If you're in the market for a logo, you're in the market to pay the going rate.

While nonprofits may indulge in (marginally) more whining, chance are they paid for all the things other businesses buy. If they have no budget for whatever service you're thinking of giving, the idea it's "good for your portfolio" is delusional.

Any positive thing you might get after getting a job like that can be rendered before. If it's so good for your business, have the nonprofit hook you up with three paying clients before they get a single thing.

[jonze]

If I believed in a cause I'd work for free. I think it's all a matter of personal opinion!

Although, if anyone ever asks me to work for free I always say no.

[Dwellupon]

The company didn't ask me to complete any work for free for them. The sign company i work for donated two banners for the Race for the cure. So it made me wonder if any designers would donate their time to the organization.

[D856C]

According to Charity Navigator Susan G. Komen for the Cure:


Primary Revenue $237,042,029
Other Revenue $37,833,916
Total Revenue $274,875,945

Total Functional Expenses $239,544,440 (translation is money paid out to everybody ... but you)

So ....no. They seem to be limping along without me.

[Dwellupon]

Originally Posted by D856C

According to Charity Navigator Susan G. Komen for the Cure:


Primary Revenue $237,042,029
Other Revenue $37,833,916
Total Revenue $274,875,945

Total Functional Expenses $239,544,440 (translation is money paid out to everybody ... but you)

So ....no. They seem to be limping along without me.

Wow Now that makes since.......

[tommylogic]

I've helped several local non-profits for a lesser fee... but I always bill in full and take the loss as a tax credit.

[Toon]

I'm doing my first free logo design for charity this week, I've never done a job for charity in 11 years of work so I feel quite good to offer it to them, it's for a very good worldwide charity, I have the timescale set out so as not to lose too much time and money through it and it feels quite nice to be nice.

[Dwellupon]

I guess if it is a charity that you feel does good, than it is a matter of personal opinion. Personally i would complete the job for a charity. Not necessarily the one that i gave an example with because they have so much financial backing.

[D856C]

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?