An artist friend shared her donation policy with me. I retyped it to apply to me.
It has worked for my friend, but not one single organization has ever taken me up on this. However, the requests have certainly tapered off since adopting this policy.
In case you are wondering if I am a complete curmudgeon, let it be known that I do donate occasionally, simply because I want to support a particular organization or two. 
8 Comments
I think all us artists need to stand together on this point. I used to allow myself 3 donations a year, then a wealthy member of my community (with an amazing art collection) asked me to donate so she could have something from me. I offered to sell her something and she actually told me she wanted the money to go to the organization!
Grey, that makes me feel snarly. Why didn’t she just donate to the organization? If she thought so much of it, she would donate without needing a reward. Good for you for sticking by your principles!
I understand the concept of “you have to spend money to make money” but (personally speaking again) I have no problem donating outright one of my afghans for a money-raising raffle. Which I have done several times. Yes, you can write off the cost of materials. No, you can’t write off what your time is worth. But if a charity can get someone to donate a lamp or coffee maker, or a Kaweah River rafting trip, I can see why they would hesitate to pay for a raffle item.
But that’s just me. Your Mileage May Vary.
I agree with you Sharon, because the charity wants and needs to get as much money as they can. My point is for me to stop participating in the devaluing of art and the draining of my inventory.
If artists continue to donate, then art will be seen as just another lamp or coffee maker. If a charity wants items of high quality or value, then they might have to expend some income.
There are two differing viewpoints – those who make art for fun have a different point of view than those who earn their living making art. Perhaps it would be good for charities to distinguish which type of artist they are asking.
Sounds like a good policy to me 🙂
Leah, you are one of the most charitable and community-minded people I know, so it means a lot to hear that from you. Thank you!
This is an excellent idea! Personally, I would be a bit more generous to the charity; perhaps split 60/40 or even 75/25 in their favor. Or, they pay the cost of materials (in my case, good quality yarn) plus a percentage of FMV. But that’s just me–I crochet not to make money but because it relaxes me and I enjoy it (as long as I don’t have an impending deadline)!
Sharon, I wonder if that is the reason no one has taken me up on the proposal? I think charities are so accustomed to just asking and receiving that nothing short of 100% would satisfy, but that could be my inner cynic speaking.
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