Retainer, and pay in full or three payments?

[Mike McCarty]

Debra,

I don't agree with your involving the client with charity donations. Charitable giving can be a complicated issue and one I don't think should be intertwined with the relationship with your client.

I think it would be fine to give the money directly to the charity as a commission, but I would make it transparent to the client.

Soon you will hear a client say -- here's your fee less the donation, if you want to donate go ahead, I gave at the office.

I think a client's decision to commission you for a painting is a PURE business consideration. To interject charitable donations (your idea of charity, not theirs) is to unduly complicate this transaction.

Just one man's take.

[Debra Jones]

I do appreciate what you are saying. It is not done on all my pieces, only the ones referred to me through the charity.

That is the marketing, not a forced deal.

This gentleman found me through a husky rescue site. I offer my CHARITIES the 15% for referring me clients. NOT the clients donate to my charities. NO, I keep all the profits from the non charity stuff. When they call me, they already know of the charitible contribution. That way I can involve the discount to their benefit... rather than my attempt at "mention you saw it here" sales.

Totally agree! They are not doing my donating for me. The charities get the referral fee and just as an added incentive, the client gets the deduction.

When I get fat and can donate on my own, I guess that would be fun, having charitable donations out of the pure goodness of my heart! Right now it is just good karma marketing.
dj*

[Chris Saper]

Debra,

I would recommend you chat with a tax attorney or accountant. What you're describing sounds a lot like a "kickback" and 501(c)(3) organizations are generally very careful (or should be) that indirect or complex donations are properly represented within the tax code, as well as within the charter of the specific organization.