Do You "Give Back" by DJing Charitable Events?
- Thread starter DJ Stacy Zemon
- Start date
I just did the Relay for Life and will try to make it an annual commitment on my part. I lost some very important people in my life to the big C so thats why I chose this.
I have also offered my service to the Ronald McDonald House. I also run a discount program that if the prospective client asks for a discount I tell them sure I can make a Discount, but only if you show me your capacity to Give to others.
So, this is how it works, if they write a $50 check to Ronal McDonald House, I will match it in a dsicount, I will give them $100 off on their total price. If they give $75 , I give a $150 discount .Max I accept is $100 to match for packages $700 and over.
For smaller home parties, $50 is the max I will match. They write the check directly to RMH and i fill out the paperwork for them and mail it out. No hanky Pank. No checks written to me or the company. I also sell my company branded Merchandise on line and some proceeds go to the RMH. I had the unfortunate experience of being a guest at one of the Ronald McDonald Houses when my son was in the hospital for an extended period, so thats why they also rank high in my preferred charities.
I have also offered my service to the Ronald McDonald House. I also run a discount program that if the prospective client asks for a discount I tell them sure I can make a Discount, but only if you show me your capacity to Give to others.
So, this is how it works, if they write a $50 check to Ronal McDonald House, I will match it in a dsicount, I will give them $100 off on their total price. If they give $75 , I give a $150 discount .Max I accept is $100 to match for packages $700 and over.
For smaller home parties, $50 is the max I will match. They write the check directly to RMH and i fill out the paperwork for them and mail it out. No hanky Pank. No checks written to me or the company. I also sell my company branded Merchandise on line and some proceeds go to the RMH. I had the unfortunate experience of being a guest at one of the Ronald McDonald Houses when my son was in the hospital for an extended period, so thats why they also rank high in my preferred charities.
Going on 6 years now... In May I do a Relay For Life for the American Cancer Society, and in October a Light The Night for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
For legal / liability reasons, these are not 'free' - they are contracted for $1 and I insist on getting paid on a company check. Of course, sometime during the event, I'll find the collection bucket and slip George in.
These are great opportuinities to invite prospects that want to see you play. Most simply want to see the gear to get a feeling that you really are a DJ.
For more into why / how I got started doing these events, go to: DJ Teddy Bear Donates
For legal / liability reasons, these are not 'free' - they are contracted for $1 and I insist on getting paid on a company check. Of course, sometime during the event, I'll find the collection bucket and slip George in.
These are great opportuinities to invite prospects that want to see you play. Most simply want to see the gear to get a feeling that you really are a DJ.
For more into why / how I got started doing these events, go to: DJ Teddy Bear Donates
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Guest
Guest
To answer the question about tax deductions for donated services to the charities. There are two ways to do this and both are legit.
1. The charity can pay you by check which you simply donate back to the same charity which they give you a receipt for the donation which you use for your taxes.
2. The charity just gives you a receipt for a dollar amount for your services which you then use for your taxes.
Either way the donated services are then tax deductible.
1. The charity can pay you by check which you simply donate back to the same charity which they give you a receipt for the donation which you use for your taxes.
2. The charity just gives you a receipt for a dollar amount for your services which you then use for your taxes.
Either way the donated services are then tax deductible.
Thunder:
Scenario #1 is true, but the net result is the same: zero income, zero additional expense.
Therefore the only real result of doing a 'free' event and declaring it, is you've raised the percentage of gross income that you donate. If that percentage is too high, it will trigger an audit.
THEREFORE, it is actually better to do it for free than to get paid and donate it back.
Scenario #2 is false. Charities can only give receipts for tangible goods. I.E. If you donate something that they can re-sell THEN they can give you a receipt for the expected resale price, and you can deduct that. You cannot deduct the 'price' of your services for a donated event.
Scenario #1 is true, but the net result is the same: zero income, zero additional expense.
Therefore the only real result of doing a 'free' event and declaring it, is you've raised the percentage of gross income that you donate. If that percentage is too high, it will trigger an audit.
THEREFORE, it is actually better to do it for free than to get paid and donate it back.
Scenario #2 is false. Charities can only give receipts for tangible goods. I.E. If you donate something that they can re-sell THEN they can give you a receipt for the expected resale price, and you can deduct that. You cannot deduct the 'price' of your services for a donated event.
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No actually it is better to not do them for free and then bank the money for your own old age charity event!
Thanks for sharing, guys. There are some very touching stories here...
So, now that we know you cannot take a tax deduction by donating your services to a charity, here's something to consider that relates to "brand image" in your local community and "free" advertising to potential future clients.
Ask the charity for an agreement that in exchange for providing DJ entertainment for their event, your company logo and contact. info. be included in all marketing, advertising and publicity materials for the event.
So, now that we know you cannot take a tax deduction by donating your services to a charity, here's something to consider that relates to "brand image" in your local community and "free" advertising to potential future clients.
Ask the charity for an agreement that in exchange for providing DJ entertainment for their event, your company logo and contact. info. be included in all marketing, advertising and publicity materials for the event.
I actually got that one time.... and my logo was so tiny it was actually hard to read, but they did have it where they said they would.....
I hate to sound crass, but...
Charity starts at home!
I have done gigs free for the Masonic Lodge and a few other organizations, and would do so for SAR -- but that is as far as my charity goes. I am a member of both.
Nobody gives me anything for free, and nobody would help when my family needed it, and we had no money (except the two mentioned above).
The rest can kiss my...
Most is all "administrative" costs (read: paying some idiot to answer the phone), and paying telemarketers.
Waste of time, IMHO.
Charity starts at home!
I have done gigs free for the Masonic Lodge and a few other organizations, and would do so for SAR -- but that is as far as my charity goes. I am a member of both.
Nobody gives me anything for free, and nobody would help when my family needed it, and we had no money (except the two mentioned above).
The rest can kiss my...
Most is all "administrative" costs (read: paying some idiot to answer the phone), and paying telemarketers.
Waste of time, IMHO.
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Guest
Guest
I have, since 1974, given back via free jobs every year but since moving here to NC I find it really tiresome when "monied" churches call me asking for my services free.
Being an atheist I would find it a tad hypocritical to help a church - especially the cheapskates that are well funded.
I donate to Polly Klass and a few other charities that are dear to my heart.
My main donations go to UKIP
Being an atheist I would find it a tad hypocritical to help a church - especially the cheapskates that are well funded.
I donate to Polly Klass and a few other charities that are dear to my heart.
My main donations go to UKIP
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Guest
Guest
Got to agree with Rick - move down here and wait for the 'phones to ring from churches it will drive you mad man.....
As Rick said no-one gives ME anything free so bollocks to them
Provided I am not already book/don't expect to be booked for a particular date, I almost always accept offers for charity functions and fundraisers for philanthropy-based organizations.
I won't repeat much of what has already been shared on this thread (relay for life, special olympics, fundraiser galas, etc), but one thing I do is offer my services (usually a 3/4 hour basic package) to be auctioned off at silent auctions to benefit a particular cause. I have found this is a great way to give back and promote my business simultaneously.
By the way, it is great to see you on the forums, Stacy; believe it or not your book is what helped me enter the business nearly 5 or 6 years ago!
I won't repeat much of what has already been shared on this thread (relay for life, special olympics, fundraiser galas, etc), but one thing I do is offer my services (usually a 3/4 hour basic package) to be auctioned off at silent auctions to benefit a particular cause. I have found this is a great way to give back and promote my business simultaneously.
By the way, it is great to see you on the forums, Stacy; believe it or not your book is what helped me enter the business nearly 5 or 6 years ago!
It seems there's a great deal of agreement about not doing freebee events among those who have personal and business issues with charitable requests. No issue. Your freedom of choice.
In disagreeing with some of the posted attitudes (callous and insensitive stances in the manner presented, almost like an anti-social badge of honor), would hope those who visit this site who are not DJs understand that those posts are not a reflection of all...yet in fairness, visa versa.
No harm nor foul is intended. As an active member of this mobile DJ industry, I'm one that doesn't wish to be lumped into that ilk and wish to sincerely applaud those who do give of themselves.
Thanks for the post, Stacy. Quite revealing.
In disagreeing with some of the posted attitudes (callous and insensitive stances in the manner presented, almost like an anti-social badge of honor), would hope those who visit this site who are not DJs understand that those posts are not a reflection of all...yet in fairness, visa versa.
No harm nor foul is intended. As an active member of this mobile DJ industry, I'm one that doesn't wish to be lumped into that ilk and wish to sincerely applaud those who do give of themselves.
Thanks for the post, Stacy. Quite revealing.
i do my own car cruise in here in the summer months and one for the local youth group in my town i do there summer fun days for free and a couple other events but i limit my self to only a couple
Cap,
I certainly understand yer point of view, and again, we differ in certain regards.
One can give back to their community, without throwing money at people though. One can also be seen through, as trying to take advantage of doing charitable functions as well.
Do you honestly think that Madonna and Angelina actually care about the folks in the countries they adopted from?
That's called marketing in my book
Charity and marketing, do not go hand in hand in my book (remind me to actually write that book someday). Referrals are great, but good old honesty and integrity in business practices, are far more preferable IMHO...
Let me ask this question in good spirit:
Do you think if Jesus was alive, he would approve of His likeness being used to solicit donations, and be put on car dashboards and such...? Would he be happy that a large portion of those donations go to administrative costs and telemarketers, and making certain people rich?
All that is gold does not glitter -- not all those who wander are lost...
Just my thoughts...
Rick : Oh, my friend, we don't differ at all on those points you've made as they are presented.
There's donations of time and talents as well as treasure. As an entertainer, isn't it fun to make people laugh in a super market check out line? That's charitable (and really needed).
Isn't it amazing that people will pass a wretched looking human being on a street as though they don't exist yet if that disgusting looking soul were to sneeze, the passers-by would turn and say, "Bless you." Now there's hypocracy at it's best!!
In terms of Jesus' image, if it were the image or object itself being venerated, He'd be miffed. If the image or object was there as a visual reminder of who He is and what He teaches, then I doubt it. Those who prey upon the fears of those who pray will receive their just due on their day of judgment. That has been promised.
It is up to those of Faith to be on constant vigil against the opposite force and trust in the Spirit that lives inside them. Speaking for myself, it is/was easier giving up smoking than to trust in the Lord in everything, every day, all the time. For me, it is a daily struggle worth fighting through.
As you have experienced too, zipping up body bags can jade one's soul, and after a dozen, numb it.
There's donations of time and talents as well as treasure. As an entertainer, isn't it fun to make people laugh in a super market check out line? That's charitable (and really needed).
Isn't it amazing that people will pass a wretched looking human being on a street as though they don't exist yet if that disgusting looking soul were to sneeze, the passers-by would turn and say, "Bless you." Now there's hypocracy at it's best!!
In terms of Jesus' image, if it were the image or object itself being venerated, He'd be miffed. If the image or object was there as a visual reminder of who He is and what He teaches, then I doubt it. Those who prey upon the fears of those who pray will receive their just due on their day of judgment. That has been promised.
It is up to those of Faith to be on constant vigil against the opposite force and trust in the Spirit that lives inside them. Speaking for myself, it is/was easier giving up smoking than to trust in the Lord in everything, every day, all the time. For me, it is a daily struggle worth fighting through.
As you have experienced too, zipping up body bags can jade one's soul, and after a dozen, numb it.
I have given my time and efforts to the Deidre O'Brien Foundation. Its for homeless women and battered women of Morris County. It comes from the heart because this girl was murdered in 1982 along with a girl I was friends in High School, we were both Seniors at the time. They were both found murdered the day before Thanksgiving.
The family of the one girl wanted to do something positive in rememberance of their daughter so they started a foundation for battered and homeless women. We started with a fundraiser in 1983 which raised $50,000 the first year. Since then we have raised over $750,000.00 to help battered and homeless woman in the local community.
We have had various music artists attend this event such as Sissy Houston (Whitney's mother) and others, and the donations have been wonderful.
I'm so glad I am part of such a wonderful thing, I will never give this up for the world.
The family of the one girl wanted to do something positive in rememberance of their daughter so they started a foundation for battered and homeless women. We started with a fundraiser in 1983 which raised $50,000 the first year. Since then we have raised over $750,000.00 to help battered and homeless woman in the local community.
We have had various music artists attend this event such as Sissy Houston (Whitney's mother) and others, and the donations have been wonderful.
I'm so glad I am part of such a wonderful thing, I will never give this up for the world.