[Hidden-tech] Re: pro bono work

[Lynne Rudié]

I disagree, but everyone's situation is different. When I take on a  
large pro bono project it's going to be for someone who appreciates my  
time and wants me to be able to get whatever non-monetary benefit is  
available. My accountant doesn't need to get into the details and it  
doesn't take her any extra time, all she needs to see is that I have  
cancelled checks for donations I made to non-profit agencies. There's  
nothing wrong with making a donation to an organization you work for,  
especially if they are doing good work in the world.

Lynne


On Dec 4, 2008, at 11:44 AM, Jan Werner wrote:

> I can see why the accountants love this, particularly if they are  
> paid by the hour, but otherwise I don't see any advantage in this  
> approach.
>
> All you are doing is relabeling your pro bono work as a cash  
> donation, but you cannot legally gain any tax or other material  
> benefit from doing this. In general, most service providers and  
> professionals are better served by the good will generated from  
> recognition for pro bono work than for making cash donations to a  
> cause.
>
> Jan Werner
> ___________
>
> Lynne Rudié wrote:
>>  ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's  
>> area.
>>  ** If you did, we all thank you.
>> Here's what I do for pro bono work, when the deduction is important  
>> enough (i.e. when the amount is large enough). I bill for the work  
>> and get paid for it and then write the organization a check for the  
>> amount they have paid me. This way they get to deduct the cost of  
>> my services as an expense and I get to deduct it as a donation.  
>> It's very clean and clear, and the accountants love it.
>> However, for smaller bits of work, the return in good will (and  
>> possibly future referrals) is more than enough compensation.  
>> Especially if I can do the work when I'm not over-the-top busy with  
>> paying clients. And an organization that is willing (and able) to  
>> plan ahead for when they need to the work to be done is probably  
>> going to be a better client than one who can't, whether I'm getting  
>> paid for the work or not.
>> Lynne
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