Working for donations? Proceeds to benefit.....

I am face painting at a Deaf School in my area. They are trying to raise money to send the kids on a trip. I offered to face paint and put a donations jar on the table. How do I present the face painting when they (customers) ask how much it costs? Do I say it's free but we accept donations? Do I try to solicite donations or just paint and hope that they give something? This is the first time I did a gig like this. They said that they would pay me for my expenses? I already have a kit so how much of the proceeds should I ask for?
Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

In my experience, all that was necessary was a donations jar. People are expecting to give donation, they're attending a fundraiser. If they asked how much it cost, I always told them it was by donation and all proceeds go to "blah".

No freebies - it's a fundraiser!

Instead of just asking for donations though, I would suggest listing a minimum donation A)then they have an idea of how much to give and you know you're worth your PPF rates, for example, B)some people would very well put a quarter in there and the whole point is to raise funds, and C)I know it's a fundraiser but I'd hate for people to get the idea that your services are free/dirt cheap because you're okay with 50 cents as a donation, if that makes sense? I did a fundraiser last week with my quick designs, and said min suggested donation was $3-5. Some put the minimum in, but most did put $5.

A sign does the trick! Also ask them whether they will supply the sign/donation jar or if you're meant to (should be them, IMO)

In the future, you should make arrangements for a percentage to go to you and a percentage to them, then charge your regular rates.... but you've already made the arrangements you've made.

The couple of times that I have worked for donations only, I have just put out the container and said, "it's by donation TODAY." If it's a donation, then it's a donation of whatever amount they choose... I hate when someone tells me how much I have to donate. If you aren't getting any of the money anyway, then whatever.

There is only one fundraiser that I do for free every year and I don't have any expectations on what my being there brings in, I'm there to do whatever I can do to help. Any other fundraisers that I do have two options, 1. pay per face and they get a percentage or 2. discounted hourly rates. But that's me... everyone has a charity right now and I can't give away every weekend to charity, this is my only job.

When I did a gig and all the proceeds went to the gig, I just set the faces to $3 and only offered cheek art and half faces(fast/easy).

A tip jar for you is always a good idea I need to make myself one! LOL

You have to set a minimum or you'll get pennies and nickels!! I once did a "By Donation" gig for a charity event... 9 hours painting (not even a bathroom break) and there was a grand total of $82.67 in the jar!

NEVER EVER AGAIN!

So make sure to put up a sign with a minimum donation... and if you want to price different things differently go ahead. But make sure you aren't wasting your efforts and good intentions.

I totally agree...you have to set a minimum...especially if it's a fundraiser...otherwise it becomes a timewaster While it's all well and good to solicit for the charity/event to pay our rate and then we solicit donations, sometimes that doesn't fly and we're left with deciding how close to our hearts the cause is. If it's something I care dearly for, I will paint for donations and usually won't take a percentage...If it's not, it will come down to what side of the bed I got up on on the morning I make my decision.

All of the fundraisers events I do every year are based on donations and all I do I make small signs and they said:
Face and Body Art:

Small Designs
Donation $xx
Large Designs
Donation $xx

And I always cover my bu** for my supplies , by charging them a discounted hourly rate. There are some non profits that I do for free but I only donate couple of hours and I put my tip jar out.. This events our good when I'm trying out new designs..
I haven't had any problems so far!

Definatly have a sign w/ a set donation amount. Since it is a deaf event, you might want a sign w/ design ideas(either pics or words) unless you know sign. I do a lot of events w/ deaf kids because we're so close to FL School for the Deaf & Blind.

Learn the sign for color(you can sign it & then point at the paints). The kids love when you do that!

This is a great resouce:

http://aslbrowser.commtechlab.msu.edu/browser.htm

Set a price for the donation.
I recently did an event where I donated myself and paints giving all to the fundraiser. I said $5 a paint. I did arms and faces and no one complained at the price. I was busy for the whole event 3 1/2hours.

Good ideas Peachy and all.

Thanks for the responses. I am new to the business aspect of face painting. I just love to be creative and make kids smile. My husband said I need to make a business out of it so here I am!!!!

When I have done gigs, for a fundraiser, I have charged a very minimal rate for my ppf like $2-4, then put a sign on my tip jar for donations for the cause I was working for. Said something like "portion of my tips goes to...." Then I gave them 20-50% of my tips depending on how the day went.