Non Profit Organizations
People who work for non profits do not work for free, they get paid. They
need to learn that just because it's a non profit, they can't
automatically ask for something without giving something in return. I was
recently reading about where artists have asked the auction to share the
proceeds 50:50. It creates a situation where everyone is happy. The
organization gets some money and the artist gets enough for their work to
make them happy to donate again in the future.What they fail to
understand (unless there have been changes) is that according to federal
tax laws, artists can only deduct the cost of materials, not their labor.
So if something takes 20 hours to create and an artist normally prices it
at $1,000, they can only deduct the actual material cost, which may be a
few dollars. It becomes a loosing situation for an artist to donate their
work, which can be compared to throwing it away.
Art Show Auctions
At art shows the 50:50 split can even work better because the artists are
willing to promote the auction in their booths. As compared to shows that
take work for auction and give you a sign to hang up that you have a work
in the auction area leaving you to recommending people to go to the
auction instead of purchasing from you. It also gives the show incentive
to set a higher opening bid price so your hard work doesn't go for
pennies.
Promotion as a Reward
I attended a seminar by a top portrait/wedding photographer. He explained
that he's always asked to donate his services to various non profit or
church groups. He's made it a policy to donate but ask for promotion in an
equal value for any event he's donating to. That may be a prominent full
page ad in a program or a large banner with his name hanging over examples
of his portrait or wedding photographs. Obvious this is always worked out
in advance and in writing before any services is given.
