| Here are several ways to help nonprofits with your | | | | revenues with the agency. The images were also |
| photography skills: | | | | released to the nonprofit for them to use in event |
| 1. Local Calendar. For two years, I took photography | | | | marketing and promotion. This also led to getting |
| of children in our area with Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes | | | | more sports work for another sporting event, which |
| and built a calendar which was both sold to generate | | | | will result in additional visibility and revenue. |
| funds, and given away to generate awareness. The | | | | 6. Silent Auctions. Whenever anyone approaches me |
| calendars were very good communication vehicles for | | | | to support a nonprofit event with a donation, I |
| the Foundation. I had a plug on the back of the | | | | always provide a certificate for a session and some |
| calendar, and was featured in TV and newspaper | | | | number of prints. I accompany the certificate with a |
| spots both in my local area and globally. I also | | | | framed print to show my work. These sessions |
| received follow-on business from some of the | | | | almost always result in more business from the |
| families of the children. | | | | winners, great event revenue for the nonprofit, and |
| 2. Gala photography. For several years, I captured | | | | great visibility of my business to the supporting |
| formal images of people who attended the Juvenile | | | | community. |
| Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) annual gala and | | | | 7. Hold Third Party Benefit Events. My wife and I are |
| sent them complimentary prints on behalf of the | | | | holding a midwinter food party called "Bean Day" to |
| foundation. This allowed the Foundation to extend | | | | raise funds for the our local Food Bank. This fun |
| their message of thanks and mission through the | | | | event will generate lots of publicity for the agency. |
| delivery of the photographs, and it also put me in | | | | Any increase in community exposure that we receive |
| touch with well-connected people in my community. | | | | from this event may help promote my business. I'm |
| 3. Sponsor a Team. For several years, my daughter | | | | finding some low-key ways to feature my |
| has had a walk team for JDRF. I cover most or all of | | | | photography to help the event, such as creative |
| the cost of the team T-shirts and I put my business | | | | images for the web site. |
| logo on the back. Each year, I end up with dozens of | | | | Serve Their Needs First |
| walking billboards, worn by and seen by potential | | | | In any nonprofit support event, serve their needs |
| photography customers all around our area. | | | | first. Achieve their goals of support, fund raising and |
| 4. Agency Graduation Ceremony. I worked with a | | | | message communication, and your benefits will |
| local drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility to capture | | | | naturally follow. If you have opportunities to get your |
| images of their client graduation ceremony. This was | | | | brand out there, by all means do so, but not at the |
| a very moving event. I produced images for the | | | | expense of the nonprofit and their mission. |
| clients and the agency, whose board of directors are | | | | I encourage all photographers to identify nonprofits |
| also well known community leaders. This led to #5. | | | | that they would be proud to partner with, and |
| 5. Benefit Race Photos. I photographed pre-race, race | | | | approach them with opportunities to help further |
| course, finish line and awards for a local race that | | | | their goals. Your efforts will be appreciated, and your |
| benefited the agency in #4 above. I posted the | | | | business will benefit from the exposure and additional |
| images for sale on my gallery and shared the | | | | business. |