"Donation" to a non-profit

I am not sure this is the correct forum for this, but I'll try here. I have been approached by a non-profit organization for a one-time use of one of my photos for the cover of their "brochure" for their annual conference. I am inclined to allow them to use it. I would, of course, require them to sign the appropriate agreement restricting their use to this specific instance.

I am not a working professional photographer, but consider myself an "advanced" hobbyist (I avoid the use of the term amateur). I have no NEED to sell my photos for a living or even to recoup my costs, though I would like to sell some of them at some point. I am aware of the conversations that have gone on here and the concern by working pros about under valuing work. I see this as different, as it is a donation.

Any thoughts?

I'm all for contributing in any way you can to causes that you believe in. Too much is driven by money these days and it's nice to see that non-cash exchanges are still alive and well and useful.

That said, I think a lot depends on the specific organization. Some of the larger ones have large budgets and are not shy about paying top-dollar salaries to their executives. If you're dealing with this kind of organization there is no reason why they should not be able to pay you.

Guy

I agree with Guy. I do give images to non-profits that I know don't have executives driving around in new luxury cars. If this organization is doing something you feel is valuable and you're willing to help them with your image(s) good for you.

Yup, if you support them and their cause in the first place, may as well continue to do so with your photos. The deal breaker for me would be in learning whether or not they buy some of their other photos.

My feeling on this mirrors those above. I would add though that as mentioned above, if this organization pays employees and has any kind of advertising budget, I would expect them to pay me as well. If you don't need the money they give you, you are always free to donate it to the cause of your choice. But then at least you can fully control where the money goes. I don't understand the notion that because someone doesn't earn their living from photography, that then everything they do should be given away. It on increases the desire of all photo users to find people willing to give their work away. Ultimately, that hurts everyone including yourself down the line.

Paul

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. Paul: So I am not misunderstood, I wasn't suggesting that "because I don't earn my living from photography, everything I do should be given away." I don't harbor that "notion." The reason I mentioned that I don't earn my living from photography was to indicate my sensitivity to the views of those who do about the value of their work (There have been other threads here discussing people under valuing or pricing their work)

I am a transaction and estate planning attorney by profession and give away lots of hours assisting non-profit organizations with their organizational and tax issues, so I obviously don't have any problem with those who do earn their living donating either.

Andy,

Thanks for the reply. I think it's a fine thing to donate time and materially to non-profits. As Guy mentioned, not all non-profits are the same. I do think it's important to know why you donate a work and that they know the value of the work being donated. I don't think donation should be done because someone is honored by the request or feels their work has no value because they are not a professional photographer. I think you clarified your position. However, a brochure cost money to produce and I doubt they asked the printer for free service. I just find it too convenient to always expect it from the photographer. I would be interested in your final decision and why if you care you share it. Not to argue your decision but to learn from your reasoning as it's always a tough call.

Paul

Paul: Thanks for your response. I appreciate your input.. This is not an organization that I was familiar with, and the requestor found my photo on another website specific to Vermont.. I did some research and am convinced it is a "legit" organization which is educational in nature. Based on Guy's original commment yesterday, I responded by asking the requestor for more information about the organization, including whether they had any paid officers or employees, and whether the organization was essentially all volunteer. My motivations are not totally altruistic. I haven't sold my work at this point, but I look at it as an opportunity to see it in print (self-flattery, maybe?) and possibly to get some exposure by attribution in the program. We'll see what their response is.

FYI, the photo in question is in my portfolio here (Hillside Acres Farm)