Pro Bono Clients

[Theresa]

Hello!

Three years ago, I started my own design firm: www.tabidesign.com. Since I've had a baby, my business has been 'on-hold' and I've been a full-time mom.

I decided to volunteer my services for local no-profits organizations as a way to network. My hope has also been that I'd receive some referrals for paid work as well. In almost every instance, months after a job is completed, the non-profit clients call and ask for my original design source files! I've given the client the option of buying the Quark files from me, but they tell me 'no' they can't afford it. The pro bono client walks away. I may have a nice portfolio piece, but no recommendations. Should I tell the pro bono client up front that the files belong to Tabi Design only? Would any of you give these pro bono clients your original design files (free)?

Also, are there many non-profit groups out there that can afford to pay for design work? In what industries? How do you find them?

Thanks so much!

Theresa

[Ryan8720]

I think that most of them could afford it if they really wanted it. Seems there is always a way to write it off of the taxes. Matter of fact you should actually be able to write it off your taxes (assuming you're in the US).

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[3howards]

to answer your question about your files, no. unless it's stated in your contract to do so, designers are not obligated to provide files or artwork used. if your clients can't purchase them they just have to deal with it. i'd like to add that the work i've done for non-profits has seemed to produce no leads. most of my leads and work comes from others that actually paid for work. if the organizations are content with not paying for something, they expect to receive the same treatment in the future.

ryan, you've brought up a good point as far as tax write-offs. but, that can't happen if they don't pay in the first place. and they also don't pay full price, so it really doesn't make a difference. basically, work done for non-profits is donated service and remains just that with no mentary value.

[PrintDriver]

3howards, check the itemization on charity work. I'm pretty sure you can claim time and mileage as a 'donation' as long as you aren't compensated monetarily or in goods.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[3howards]

you can't claim time, just mileage, meals, and other misc expenses. we've discussed this same issue on a different forum.

[PrintDriver]

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf

On the time thing you are right. Sorry.

But, you are creating 'property' ie a logo, which you own as the designer, which has a value, and you are giving this valuable item to a charity. Perhaps fair market value of a logo can be deducted? If you give them all ownership?
I personally don't want to be the test case.
Good luck.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[Vikia]

PrintDriver said...
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf

On the time thing you are right. Sorry.

But, you are creating 'property' ie a logo, which you own as the designer, which has a value, and you are giving this valuable item to a charity. Perhaps fair market value of a logo can be deducted? If you give them all ownership?
I personally don't want to be the test case.
Good luck.

Per my tax consultant who handles several contract creatives...no it is not tax deductible. Only mileage and meals (meetings).
I had over 120 hours of work in a show program for a charity show that I did not get compensated for, but I could deduct my mileage to all the meetings etc, my material costs (cds and proofs).

At least it provided a networking opportunity with several potential client industries.

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[Mickey]

I think anytime you donate your services to a non-profit that is what you should expect to gain from it.... non-profit.

They are so tight its not even funny! I work for a non-profit and last year we had 1.6 Million dollar surplus, and my raise was less than $1500 bucks, and we only have 45 employees. Then after all that we had a meeting saying they didn't know what to do with the money so they decided to pay down on the mortgage...

Cheep bastids.

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[3howards]

it's funny how the last thing they think about is the people that make that place run ...

[court6478]

Charity work does'nt pay squat. Never did I receive a referral from doing charity work. I just won't do charity work unless I truly believe in the cause. There is really only one I would even consider.

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