Here's what some might call the Scrooge perspective: there are 29 different IRS classifications for non-profits. Only one, 501(c)3, is a charity. Sports clubs, credit unions, farmers associations, groups against animal cruelty, etc. are all non-profits. For practical purposes, and at the risk of oversimplifying, these 28 operate like any other business. So should they be treated differently than any other business?
An acquaintance from a local non-profit (not a charity) asked us about a discount. The really short summary is I explained that we're not and we need to make a profit to stay in business, I mentioned that I knew what "non-profit" really means. He replied, "Oh I know, but most people don't, so I always ask because it works to get a discount pretty often." If you ever worked as a freelancer, I guarantee you've had potential clients ask if you can do better on the price, and I bet they weren't non-profit businesses. No one wants to pay more than they have to, and the worst that can happen by asking for a price break is they'll be told "sorry, no" so why wouldn't they ask? Don't feel guilty if you say no. If there's a non-profit that works for a cause or goal you believe in and you want to donate to them by way of a discounted membership for their organization, or maybe day passes or meeting room rentals as prizes for their fundraiser, go for it if it makes sense. I suppose for credibility I should add that we have 3 different non-profits working at Cowork Frederick. 2 are remote employees and the third uses us as their main office. We also have 2 different church leaders/pastors/ministers here. None of them get a discount, in part due to the first one (a church minister) refusing an offer of a discount because he knew the value of what we offered and he wanted to make sure we stayed around. He had also previously worked out of a cowork space on the west coast, so he definitely "got it" when it comes to coworking. *Glen Ferguson* Phone: 301-732-5165 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.coworkfrederick.com Address: 122 E Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701 On Thu, Aug 30, 2018 at 7:20 AM, Alex Hillman <[email protected]> wrote: > > > *“If they are chosing you because you are the cheapest, the relationship > is based on exploitation and that's no way to start a relationship.” *100000% > this. Nonprofits or not, people who want special treatment (startups are > notorious for this too) are not a healthy target for a sustainable > community or business. > > If you’re already cheap and people won’t join unless they get a discount, > consider raising your rates so that you have something to discount ;) > On Aug 30, 2018, 10:36 AM +0200, Jeannine van der Linden < > [email protected]>, wrote: > > I do not have a blanket discount for anything except businesses structured > with multiple entities. > > We have in the past had a sponsored nonprofit: this is like the artist in > residence program, we give a nonprofit a free membership for a year. They > submit an application for the membership and the coworkers decide who gets > it. It's fun to do and a lot more engaging than a flat policy. > > There are several ways to approach this, so that it has added value for > your space and for your coworkers, and I would think about those things > before making a policy. If they are chosing you because you are the > cheapest, the relationship is based on exploitation and that's no way to > start a relationship. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Coworking" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Coworking" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
