Know-How Exchange : Other

Why would you ask a skilled professional to "donate their time?" Do you think their services are not valuable enough to merit real compensation? Do you ask the electric company to donate electricity?

Non-profit doesn't mean no-resources. It just means that the operations are not for the purpose of providing a financial return to shareholders.

My suggestion: Raise funds however you do that, and use a portion of those funds to pay a graphic artist to design and create marketing materials.

Many professionals donate their skills to non-profits. I donate my development skills; I've worked with lawyers donating their skills; etc. I'm currently working for a newly formed non-profit in a very rural area with very limited funds. Sprucing up our newsletter, flyers, website, etc., might help gain more attention and, ultimately, profits to help feed the cause.

I've donated my services to non-profits too, but I always ask myself (after the fact) why the organization feels like MY services are not important enough to deserve fair payment -- especially if/when the organization's director (and perhaps some staff) get paid, and when they pay for other services (including utilities, rent, etc.).

If the organization doesn't have sufficient funds to pay for MY services, but they pay for other things, then it must be because my services are not as high in priority. I prefer to donate services to organizations for which I can make a significant contribution and my work is among the organization's highest priorities ... and those organizations generally offer to pay for those important benefits. The decision to donate is then MINE, not subject to the groveling of an organization that doesn't truly appreciate the value of what I can contribute (and what my services are worth to them).

Note: This isn't to say that anyone else has to agree with me. I've worked for not-for-profit organizations many times, and most of those client engagements have been paying assignments for which the clients were truly appreciative of my contribution, and in which they felt they received very high value.

I understand your comments. We are ALL volunteers, though - nobody has a paid position. And our monthly meeting space is donated as well.

Have you considered: https://www.catchafire.org/

catchafire.org is a great concept, but would burn through all of our funds in just one year. We'll give social media and Craig's List a try; would be great if we could find some local talent to help out, too.