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Discussion
9 Years Ago
I havent decided which charity organization to partner with yet because I am still considering if I should do so this early in my art career. As of now my art business is generating very little money, but I would love to donate 10% to charity even if I make close to nothing. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Reply Order
9 Years Ago
Much less complicated to just send a check to your favorite charity.
The local charity that benefits most directly from my business is the local thrift shop that supports the homeless. I buy my props there and then donate them back to be sold again.
9 Years Ago
I do a lot of donating, such as any profit from animal paintings and such goes to the ASPCA.
any proceeds from the scenery paintings goes to St. Judes, and the Heart association.
Yes the best way to do this is to send a check. But also some none profits have a donor page, and you can give your information and your intent and they will advertise it for you..
Kind of a scratch my back and I'll scratch yours type thing.
So i am not sure if I helped much but that is my 2 cents worth and good luck.
9 Years Ago
Maxwell,
The Ronald McDonalds Childrens charities, AKA Ronald McDonald's House, this charity lets the family (parents and other children stay for free at the the RMCC house so they can visit their child who is in the hospital without the cost of renting a hotel and paying for food. The houses are located in every state and major city near childrens hospitals in the US. They do a yearly auction of donated items and all proceeds go directly to that house for the familys that use the house. The event is well attended by community leaders and usually consist of 150-300 people for the auction event. I have been a supporter of the RMCC for 28 years. They also take volunteers for cooking for the families too. Best of Luck!
Smiles, Christine
9 Years Ago
I guess that would depend on WHY you want to partner.
If you just want to make donations, then do it...set aside 10% of your sales and make the donations to the charity of your choice.
If you want your art donated, look for auctions....many charities solicit artists to donate their work to help raise funds.
If you are looking to promote sales of your work because you are making donations to such and such charity, then I'd suggest giving the whole amount away to encourage people to buy our work.
The reality is that charities do not want your art, they want proceeds from your art...real cash to use as needed.
If you are not well known, your art will probably not command prices high enough for their 10% to make it worth their while to promote you.
9 Years Ago
I have a nonprofit so, my suggestion is, since it sounds like were talking about a few dollars here and there is to just make a statement on your website 'about' page that a portion of the proceeds will be donated to _____ charity. Send an email to the fund development director of the charity to keep them in the loop, and maybe they will offer to link to you from their website. You also have to be aware that if a buyer does not want to support your charity of choice you may lose a sale, so you have to give the buyer an option to opt out, or decide if losing that sale you're at peace with.
I've tried to keep this simple, so hope it is helpful to you. Enjoy your day!
9 Years Ago
I forget the charity organization, but someone local to Connecticut asked me to produce some art for their cause. This
was a small charity, not a national or even bigger local charity. I wrote back that they should ask for free services from
doctors and lawyers. Just out of the blue ask folks. I had no connection to the charity. In my case without originals, I would
have to pay FAA to print some thing or things. But even if I had originals I would have to pay for materials.
As others are saying it is much easier to give to a charity. My advice keep it local. For instance the American Cancer Society
promised for many decades to put money into cancer research. What a waste of time and money. Only now with better tools
and understanding are inroads really being made in cancer research. But that truth which was obvious for many decades never
stopped the ACS from asking for bucket loads of money.
Keep your giving local. Know how much the admin costs are at the charity. Many charities just pay the managers of the charity.
If you care about the well being of others make that the priority. Not your art. You'd be wasting your time anyway trying to promote
your art through a charity. While that is only my opinion I have never seen anyone here do well by giving prints to charity. You as with
anyone have every right to do well, but be honest about it.
Dave
9 Years Ago
it's not about promoting my art it's about donating a portion of whatever profits I get to charity and even if it was about promoting my art what would it hurt to still donate a portion to charity why would I have to go out and drop on my priorities and drop my life mission and be a charity worker when I can still do art and make a difference? Some of your responses seem confused about what I want to do. I want to donate 10 % to charity, not donate art, I know thats not practical.
Thanks for responding guys, I will figure it out. I think I will do as Frank suggested but thanks to everyone who submitted advice.
9 Years Ago
The charity I provide 20% of my profits to is also one that I plan to eventually volunteer at when we move to Mexico for winter months. I also on occasion will donate works for silent auctions, etc. for local charities that make requests. It's best to partner with someone you relate to, that is doing something you believe in, that is truly in need of any donation dollars you might bring their way.
9 Years Ago
I think I will donate to a charity that has something to do with promoting art education, bringing art supplies to schools etc, when I was in school I was given so much by my art teachers who saw my vision. I feel obligated to give back. But I'd also like to possibly donate to a more humanitarian cause like helping feed the hungry etc. I was thinking about doing 5% to 2 different charities.
9 Years Ago
I paint to help organizations that focus on animals and threatened wildlife. Sometimes I donate a painting outright, simply because the organization is so awesome. For example the organization in India that rescued Raju - Wildlife SOS. (it was all over the web as Raju the crying elephant) They will put this in their online auction next week. They have a huge following so hopefully they will raise some money from it. (they may link to my site which is good, its always hard to tell about that though). Sometimes I will do a painting that is featured in a local fund raiser for a good cause. And other times I will do a painting, which shows something about the work an organization is doing. Then if/when the painting sells I give a percentage to that organization. That just happened recently with a painting I did for the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. I think the main thing is to find whatever charity is doing work that you feel passionate about---they are so awesome you are inspired to paint, to help them.
9 Years Ago
If you donate once a year, or even twice, it's just as beneficial without all the tracking and management. Donating per piece would be crazy making.
9 Years Ago
Maxwell,
Just curious are you going to announce in your bio that you are giving money to charity?
If so is that not exploiting the charity? Instead of silently giving? Or if you are announcing it will the
announcement be to stir up sales?
That is what I am getting at. So if it is a local charity where you know where the admin costs are, then
it is far less exploitative. If it is national charity that gives first and foremost to the managers of the charity, like
most national charities do, then that would be more exploitative. Of course with local charities you wont get far selling
art.
If you want to think all of it over then those are the ethical issues involved. Asking people for money by pulling heart strings v
making sure the money actually goes to the cause. What actually matters to you?
Dave
Addition: I have been to Venice beach to feed the hungry. Local restaurants gave the food for free, we just distributed the food,
free labor. It was worth more than 10% of my profits to date.
9 Years Ago
Danl,
Brigitte was a sex symbol that has had her day. She lives in Russia to avoid paying her taxes.
She could not get signed to a movie deal if she paid as it stands today. She was supposed to be
an actress, but she never acted.
Youth is wasted on the young.
Dave
9 Years Ago
What a wonderful idea, Maxwell...I applaud you for wanting to help others! I will actually be uploading more work soon which I intend to have part of the profits go to an endeavor near and dear to my heart, which I just started also... providing "Pop-Up Tents" for the homeless who, for one reason or another, will not go in the shelters... I actually plan on posting about this separately as well...in case anyone is interested in helping too, or doing this in their own areas.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/4.THE.HOMELESS.POP.UP.TENTS/
9 Years Ago
There are a lot of charities... United Way has a huge long list of them. Auctions or silent auctions are the easiest things to donate to, you just donate the art, donors bid on it, and you're done. Sometimes I donate art to charities, baskets of cards, or whatever. Of course it always costs me something to do that, but that's what a donation is. There is some publicity value to doing it.
One thing I did a while back, because I wanted to learn how to handle commissions: I donated "commission a piece of art - a drawing or painting." I specified size, etc. It takes some hubris to do that, because you never know what people will want you to draw or paint - you have to be pretty darn sure you can actually do whatever it is the client asks. I learned a lot, really grew as an artist, making art for these donation-commissions, but I don't do that anymore because some of the commissions turned out to be very time-consuming...
Fortunately, nobody threw me any curve balls I couldn't handle.
9 Years Ago
Maxwell,
If you're still on this thread: Most of us are probably older than you. We get hounded by every charity known to man to give them money. There are so many of them... so much need.
At one point my employer had a donations program, through United Way. The brochure listed charities that had been vetted by United Way. It was overwhelming. There were literally pages of names of charities, most of which were, in my view, worthy causes. I realized that if I gave $10 a year to each of these charities, I would be the one living on the street. I had to choose.
We're probably not giving you the answer you are looking for because it's been such a long time since we've had to go looking for ideas for charities to donate to.
You are a good person for wanting to give something of yourself to help the world be a better place. But we can't help you choose who you give to, that has to be you.
9 Years Ago
I want to add something nice to this topic.
It is okay for any of us to just sell art. It is an honest living.
I do not need to rationalize making a living by publicly giving to charity.
I wish I could give more.
Dave
9 Years Ago
Maxwell,
Food banks are wonderful..the money goes so much further....
Each dollar donated gets $10 worth of food shipped from big suppliers...they donate the food for free....
9 Years Ago
I'll repeat myself. It's not about upping my sales, it's about donating a portion of my income to charity. I'm capable of thinking of other self serving means to promote my work.
PLUS
Does it really matter what my motives are? It is in my self interest to help others. It's logical! If a portion gets donated to charity, what does it matter?
Can you imagine if everyone who donated to charity just kept silent and never tried to spread the idea? We wouldn't even be having this discussion, I wouldn't even know what a charity is. Imagine if I did make an announcement over social media and other people caught on and decided "Hey, maybe I could donate 10% of my profits too!" I have accumulated hundreds of 'followers' throughout my social media sites, if even ONE of them caught onto the idea and tried to imitate and spread it, it'd be worth it.
Now imagine if I didn't. Would you rather me not spread the idea to other business owners and workers because you're concerned I care more about my art than the charity? Seems rather selfish of you to keep the idea to yourself, rather than try to become an example for others, or to try to spread the idea and make a team effort. If everyone in the world donated as little as 1% of their income to charity, whether they care about that charity or not, can you even imagine the positive effects that would have on our species as a whole? Or would you be complaining that most of those people don't really care about the charity?
Why not spread ideas? Welcome to the information age. Yeah, I'm young and inexperienced, but our generation gets to be the janitor of our predecessor's mess so don't be upset when we pull out the broom. It's time to assemble the clean up crew, no time left to dillydally while Rome burns. If you want to clean up silently by yourself in the corner that's fine but I think we'd be better as a team effort and I'd publicly invite you to join.
If any of that seemed hostile, I apologize. I get passionate about humanitarian causes.
I think Rose gets it. It's not about promoting our work, if we do choose to make our donations public it's about trying to get other people interested in helping out, not buying more art.
Marlene, thank you, I will take your idea into account, do you know if I should go for local or national food banks?
9 Years Ago
Thank you, again I sincerely apologize if that came off aggressive, I just want it to be clear that it's about the charity and not the business.
9 Years Ago
Hi Maxwell, I have a cat rescue in Cyprus and some of the artists here have been kind enough to donate use of their files to help me raise money to help the cats in my village. I do TNR, colony caretaking, rescue, medical aid, and adoptions abroad. The gallery and concept is new for me (thank you Vivian Anderson) but you can check out the "Pillows for Charity Gallery in my profile and see if it is something you would like to participate in. I would love to have you. One or two or three pieces is great, you can sell in any form you like, pillow, greeting card, print, phone cover. You decide on the mark up and how long you would like them to be available. I have just begun to promote them and have just created a pinterest board for them. I will also tweet them and advertise them on my cat Facebook Page (Altered Cats! Cyprus).
The artists however are donating all proceeds from any sales to care for the cats.
What you get out of it is knowing you helped these cats and promotion of your work. I am happy to promote them as I am so grateful for people's kindness and it helps the cats - well hopefully, we are just getting started.
You in turn can promote what you are doing as part of your "brand". I don't know, brand, that's the word they use around here, kind of offensive to me but, hey, in the long run I guess it really doesn't matter, as long as we remember first we are human beings (or at least we are trying to be) and we are also trying to let people know who we are, that we are here and that we have a shingle hanging out.
I have a thread going about it and I am getting ready to bump it.
9 Years Ago
David
Brigitte lives in St. Tropez. I dined with her a year ago Her foundation to save animals is one of the most prominent in Europe. She uses a walker and is not interested in movie deals. Check her Foundation website at http://www.fondationbrigittebardot.fr/.
Bardot movies
Contempt
And God Created Women
Don Juan
Viva Maria
Una Parisienne
The Night Heaven Fell
Manina
The Truth
Come Dance With Me
A Very Private Affair
The Legend Of Frenchie King
Love Is My Profession
Plucking The Daisy
The Vixen
Spirit Of The Dead
Shalako
Two Weeks In Septmber
Doctor At Sea
Please Not Now
Les Novices
The Light Across The Street
His Father's Portrait
Plus thirty three other movies starring Bridgette Bardot.
Let me ask you David, where do you get your misinformation?
9 Years Ago
Maxwell, I just read some of your earlier replies. If you are interested in giving art supplies to schools, Thelma Harcum, an artist here on FAA, may be able to help you. I know she was involved in such a project and it was very successful. You can send her a message and I think she would probably be happy to tell you about it.
You will find her profile in the artist search.
9 Years Ago
Hi I'm working for the charity I run my home made business ..designing my eastern mix with western style dresses here and in US for few clients now but we spend our 50% earnings on providing free medical treatment and medicines to the needy people ..I'm from Pakistan u can help us ..if u want ..thanks
9 Years Ago
I have a (mostly) Facebook friend who is having heart troubles. He's younger than I am -- I'm 44 -- and I believe he had his first transplant at age 13. I want to help in some way because he has had to stop working as he is having further complications. For about five seconds, I started to tell folks that if they bought one of my works, I would give the profits to this guy... six seconds in, I realized the foolishness of that post. It would be better if they gave all the money to him instead of half (or thereabouts) going to FAA. So I didn't make the offer. It still makes me feel bad because in my current financial shape, I can't donate anything to my friend.
9 Years Ago
Joseph, that is really sweet. Does he have an online fundraiser like on Youcaring or something? if not you could make one for him and share it on your FB page. I am just trying to think of ways you can help. Also just visiting with him and talking with him about his cares, or seeing if there is any stuff you could do for him to lighten his load while he is ill, I am sure he would appreciate any of that.
9 Years Ago
There are tons of charities out there and can make good use of any money you want to donate. Basically, just do some research, and follow your heart. I donate money to charity often and it's always a broad range. Some of my favorite charities to donate to are St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (they offer free care for kids with cancer), The Gideons International (the people who put Bibles in hotel rooms), and my local food banks in Nashville and Chattanooga because the food bank items that come to my county come from the Chattanooga Food Bank and I think some may come from Nashville also. I have also got on GoFundMe before and donated to complete strangers that I felt like needed help and their stories looked legit.
9 Years Ago
Danl,
Bridgette can afford to live around the world. She has asked for citizenship
in Russia to pay less in French taxes. She may be rich, but she is still a deadbeat in France.
As for where I get my info. I am simply alive and kicking so common knowledge is very easy to come by.
Please dont get hostile with me. I can not afford to eat with Bridgette just anywhere in Europe.
The facts that you need from the New York Times.
http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/gerard-depardieu-brigitte-bardot-and-russia/
The story gets really cute when Bridgette explains her love on Elephants as the reason to ask for Russian citizenship. The article explains
Putin's love of hunting big game. So obviously Bridgette loves the taste of elephant. Although Putin has yet to bag an elephant in Russia.
Dave
9 Years Ago
Danl,
You might know this, it is not common knowledge, but foundations are often used to run assets through and lower taxes.
I have no clue what Bardot is doing with a foundation other than giving.
Bill Gates has commonly run money through his foundation to sell Microsoft stock, pay very low tax rates, and then given pennies
on the dollar, if that, to charity. Bill Gates is far less giving than what the public are led to believe.
And YES!! Danl I can document that. Read the first chapter of the book Perfectly Legal by David Kay Johnston. Johnston
is the main New York Times reporter on finance and tax policy. Bill Gate's tax lawyer is ultra famous in the well heeled circles.
His name is Johnathan Blattmachr. His name is the first two words in this book. The tax schemes are well spelled out.
http://www.kropfpolisci.com/tax.policy.johnston2.pdf
I might easily as Johnston does generalize that most wealthy folks with foundations are simply cheating the taxman first and
foremost. Just is what it is.
Dave