proceeds or profits to charity

bluphoto7

I am a photography enthuisiast. I do a lot of fine art work, mainly in dance and figure photography. I've never really planned to sell any of my work, though many people say I should try.

I have a couple of small exhibitions lined up over the next few months and I don't intend to sell any prints, though I'm being encouraged to put prices on them anyway.

I don't really want or need to make a profit from my hobby, and I do give cash to a national charity every month over and above this, but it's always good to recoup some of the costs of hiring models, printing, consumables etc.

As such, I've decided that all profits from sale of prints over the next few months will go to a particular named local charity. Perhaps that might encourage people to dig a little deeper when otherwise they might not bother.

I do have those two little good & evil characters on my shoulder fighting over the morality of this decision though. What if I don't make enough to cover my costs? Does that mean I'm fraudulently using a charities name to finance my hobby? I certainly don't want that to be the case and fully intend to give all the profits after costs to the charity. I'm just concerned I might not make enough to be able to give them anything!

kind regards,
Guy

lincroft1710

Why not just sell the prints for the price you believe they're worth and if you cover your costs then donate the surplus. Don't mention the charity and don't expect people will necessarily pay more just because it's for a local charity (or even a national one).

DigForVictory

Ask the charity how they usually market this sort of donation? They're more experienced & will be happy to share the knowledge.
Whether you use their name is up to you. With the information, you may be able to make a better donation.

Savvy_Sue

DigForVictory wrote: »

Whether you use their name is up to you.

Actually, not entirely. Before using a charity's name to promote anything like this - an event, sales etc - you should gain permission from the charity first. Obviously it won't be unreasonably refused, usually it will be welcomed, but they might want to check the 'fit' is OK.

For example, GamAnon probably wouldn't want you to raise money for them at a Race Night, or AA at a Cheese and Wine evening. I know this is slightly different as it's not an actual event, but you get the idea.

They may also offer to send you a collection tin, if you'd be willing to have one and can get it back to them fairly easily!

tyllwyd

Why not say you will donate a certain percentage (say 10%) of the purchase price to the charity, and set that at a level that you would be comfortable with even if you don't cover your own costs. Then if at the end of the day you find that you have made an additional profit you could always donate that as well as a private donation.

lemontart

though not quite the same I also dabble behind the lens and have been asked to do photo's for a charity calendar but I am struggling to find suitable online printers that folk can order copies direct from to avoid ending up with any unsold copies - can any one recommend any that offer this service.