i am new, so sorting this gig out is tough... I need your help!

My next-door neighbor runs our small community's Summer Playground program, and they are having their *fundraising* end-of-summer carnival this Wednesday. I had told her that I would be willing to "help" with face painting (perhaps: stupid me!). I am still in "practicing" mode, so I offered to do it for only a supply contribution of $35 (again, stupid me, since it is 4 hours and I am fairly decent!) because I assumed it was to be free for the kids, and I wanted to help. I also want to help because she is my neighbor and because my kids will be going there next year and because it is my community. I also want the practice and the exposure.

My dilemma: now they approached me about wanting to charge $. Okay, it *is* a fundraising carnival. But it is a *penny* carnival - so the mentality is built in that things are cheap. Games are a penny or a quarter. (But the bounce houses will be $2.) Last year's "face painting" was 50 cents (LOL). My neighbor's sister (who is in charging of finding "vendors") asked if we could charge $2-3. I am thinking that is way low, but because these families are not wealthy (it is a somewhat depressed semi-rural area), I can understand. I emailed letting her know that anything under $5 might be insulting to most face painters (maybe I shouldn't have said that? I tried to say it nicely), and then suggested that we do it "free" for the kids (just my $35 contribution) - I was starting to feel used and devalued, and I guess I felt that if I did it for "free" I would at least feel good about it, and it would take any sting out of it for me.

But then she emailed me that they would rather charge the $5. Okay, I GET it, they need the funds. Now... if they are charging $, then I would like a percentage. So I did something stupid and spoke up right away (without taking time to think on it, or consult you guys) and said $5 a face would be fine, and please may I request 35% of ticket take on top of the $35 supply contribution. So then I get an email from her saying what if we get only a very few people paying for face painting, do we still have to pay you all $35 of the supply contribution AND the 35% of the $ take?

Here is how she phrased it: "Can we do 35% of profits after the initial $35 in supplies is recovered? I just want to make sure if we are paying for supplies, we are covering our costs. Worse case scenario - if the stand doesn't go over well (I'm sure it will, just my paranoid self) do we have to pay for supplies if they are not used?"

Though I understand her position completely, now I am starting to get upset and I feel used. Maybe it is just me (my feelings are easily hurt). Please can someone set me straight? I am really lousing this whole thing up. I was SO looking forward to helping and doing it for free for the kids. But really, if they want to charge, I feel as though I need some of that... somehow I am having a hard time donating my time if THEY are getting money. Maybe I would feel differently if this was kids with cancer, or if they had seemed to value my service (rather than try to wring every last bit out of me). Please tell me just how selfish I am being (I allow that that could be part of the problem!). And please let me know how you would respond to this? What would you do?

Sorry this is so long, it is such a teensy thing in the grand scheme of things, but since this if my first gig where any $ is being given to me, it seems so huge to me!

Warm regards,
Barbie

" Here is how she phrased it: "Can we do 35% of profits after the initial $35 in supplies is recovered? I just want to make sure if we are paying for supplies, we are covering our costs. Worse case scenario - if the stand doesn't go over well (I'm sure it will, just my paranoid self) do we have to pay for supplies if they are not used?"
She has a good point but may not know she hurt your feelings.

You're not being selfish at all. Sit your friend down and tell her exactly how you feel, (even if you have to read your post) and then be silent. Listen to what she has to say, then decide what you want to do.
Face painting can be a learning curve, just stay on the upside of it to keep from getting discouraged
Happy Painting,
Susan

I would say that if she wants to charge for faces, then YOU get to charge for the faces and will donate 20% of whatever you make. (or whatever % you feel comforable with) and forget the $35. Put out a tip bucket or somthing and donate your tips?

I agree that maybe the whole money issue needs to be rethought if they want to charge. Explain that you had originally presumed that it would be free for the children, which was why the $35, but if they would like to charge for the face painting... how about if you both forget the $35 and instead, you charge the $5 that she suggested and donate 50% of whatever is made (or another percentage if you are more comfortable with it).

There will always be another fundraiser that will want you to "donate your time" for something. Just my two cents, but I have only ONE fundraiser that I do for free each year... the rest have the two options that are listed on my website. http://www.freewebs.com/perrynoia/events.html

Basically, I give them those two options and if neither one will work for them, oh well. I don't budge on it at all. When there's a fundraiser pasta dinner, you think the hall gave them the space, food and servers for free? NOPE, it's a business and you need to get paid too.

Quote: Here is how she phrased it: "Can we do 35% of profits after the initial $35 in supplies is recovered? I just want to make sure if we are paying for supplies, we are covering our costs. Worse case scenario - if the stand doesn't go over well (I'm sure it will, just my paranoid self) do we have to pay for supplies if they are not used?"

I think this is perfect actually. This is a fundraiser for them and you have already agreed to paint for $35 to cover you paint and supplies used. She is now offering you 35% after the first $35 is collected. At $5 a face, The first 7 faces are just to pay for you, and after the first 7 faces you would be getting $1.75 per child painted.

Then the second part of her note is asking "if you paint less the the $ that we earn back, do we still have to pay you? The answer to that is YES. You still had to have the paints available, it's not like you can return them and you have given up your day to do this. This is a good time to explain to her like you did to us why you are offering them this deal. Let her know that if this were any other event for you that you would be charging them by the hour for the sheer entertainment value that facepainting adds to any event, and that that rate would have been in excess of $125 per hour.

You will do great, and if for this event the $5 face is to much, Suggest lowering it to $3. and just do faster simpler faces. (and maybe ask for 33% which gives you $1 per face painted and they get 2)
Have fun and enjoy yourself.

Remember to make yourself a list of everything you need to take with you, paint, brushes, sponges, mirror (2), business cards etc. This will help you make sure you don't forget anything important when you are walking out the door.

Go, now and make us proud.

Jenny

Try not to sweat your changing your mind since they changed things on you. I think telling her exactly how you feel is best to clear the air.

You were doing this as a freebie for the kids, but now since it is not free, you would like to be paid. I think splitting the profits, forgetting the $35, and putting out a tip bucket is perfectly fair.

Normally we get paid to work not work to pay them. LOL

-Metina

I agree with Metina, We get paid to work, not work to pay them....

perhaps since everything has changed, rather than everyone being confused, it may be better just to say since we are charging, I will set up my booth, and donate 50% of all earnings to your cause.

Let us know how it goes.

Having a contract helps. I have one that even my "free" events have to sign. This way it's all in black & white & they won't start changing things up on you.

Let us know how it all worked out. We're rooting for you!

Hi all, thank you so much for your input. It helps just knowing that you guys are on my side

Here is my plan: sleep on it, and then re-read your posts and then email her. I will be in a happier mood tomorrow, I am sure.

Thanks so much for reading through all that for me!
Barbie

I have to keep reminding myself... I run my business, not the client(they often think they do & are doing me a favor by helping me give them free services... NOT). Sorry, my vent.... lady tried to get my daughter to twist for free when she discovered she was a teen(it'll help her get practice....).

Please don't feel used. I'm one who does a lot of paying gigs and a few free gigs over the year. In our area there are a lot of good causes that need money and everyone gives what they have to raise some cash. I give of my talents and I do events where I don't even charge for my supplies. Every business has to pick and choose what to support, if it is my neighbourhood and effects my family I'll do what I can. I don't do every event I'm asked but I do pick some things. We have businesses that donate prizes, food stores that donate hot dogs etc. It is good business for me because people do want my card and do want to hire me for other events. They see the quality of my work and know I'm not cheap. At community events I'm also often featured in the newspaper which gives good exposure. I have brochures with my prices and I talk to people about the world of professional face painting. If I'm not there some groups will get a teen group like 4-H or girl guides to do faces with crappy paint and sub-par designs. If they can raise money for their group off of my work I feel even better for it because it does show they value it and my contribution becomes even more valuable to them. In our community programs only run because of volunteers and donations and people don't ask me to cook hot dogs or drive to weekly volleyball games in other towns and a ton of other stuff I hate doing because they value my talents and the time I share in other ways. We had our first ever community and school fair event last September everything was donated right from the food to the games, prizes and venue. I painted for 5 hours and gained rock star status with the kids. I didn't get any cash out of it but I sure did benefit.

I like that "Rock Star Status" I paint during the week for my kids classes and other classes at the school for extra promotion and plain old good will.

I love it when the kids see me at school or even out and come over and hug me or say hi with their big kids wave.

-Metina

Ha! I have the same reaction from church kids. I'll get side swiped at the store by a kid w/ a hug & the parents will look at me like,'Who's this my kid is hugging?"

I agree that wahtever you decide, get it down on paper at this point, especially after all the back and forth.

I agree, charge per child, reach your $35.00 and then donate a % thereafter of the rest.

I am very new myself but have also been asked to do face painting for a church "family fun day" and was asked to donate some of my time and services. I had decided for 2 hours I would do it for $60.00 and explained that essentially I was donating $90.00 for this event.

I then spoke to a well known face painter in Calgary and she told me. Never give away the whole lot! Even if you are new, you are still valuable. You will start to get walked on. At least charge for the cost of your product. After all face painting can be a very expensive `hobby`.

By the way, she came back and told me they had absolutely `no money`in the budget for me. So I am not doing the event.