Charity website

[Deleted member 11093]

I feel I have a bit of a dilemma. I have been approached by a charity to produce a site, and my problem is how much to charge.

I have been producing sites for long enough not to need to develop my portfolio and though I don't want to "cut my own throat", I feel that a discount would be appropriate and I would like the project.

The dilemma then is how much of a discount should I offer? Any thoughts from designers who have been in a similar position?

Thanks

 

[INDIZINE]

Why dont you charge them your 'going rate' - then make a donation to the charity after completion. This would maintain your professional pricing structure but show your generosity at the same time. Also im sure you get tax relief on a donation.

 

[dave_n]

Depends on the complexity of the site.
If it's viable then I would try to do it for free with an agreement with the charity that they would get a press release or similar saying the site has been launched thanks to the generosity of your web design company.
It may give you a great deal of credibility

 

[Deleted member 11093]

Thanks both, interesting options. The site is pretty straightforward which prompted my concerns.

 

[INDIZINE]

Why dont you ask them which option they would like? Give them the choice to fit in with their accounting structure and policy on PR etc.

 

[Deleted member 11093]

They have yet to decide on the budget. I did try to get suggestions from them but they're playing cards close.

 

[Pinsah]

We have recently designed & developed a website for a charity and gave them a 50% discount. Our reasoning behind this, apart from the obvious one of wanting to help out charities, was that most charity websites are viewed by a lot of people, and depending on the charity, worldwide, so is definately a good strategy for disseminating the name of your company. The charity whom we designed the website for also said that we could add some text to their home page along the lines of 'website in part sponsored by Pinsah Design' along with our logo and a link to our website, which is an added benefit for us.

 

[ColinL]

I agree that its worth trying to speak with them more.

It is possible, or even likely, for example that they have received funding which is restricted in that they are required to spend it on the website (either directly or as part of a bigger project).

If that is the case then they neeed to spend all the money or divert it (with permission from the funder) to another expense. Often this would be given but its not guaranteed.

It is possible, then, that if they spend under budget they would have to give the money back!.

Colin