How to handle requests for charity gigs

While most GigSalad leads are for paying gigs, you may occasionally receive requests for pro-bono or charity gigs. Most of the time, these requests come from non-profits or community-funded events with very small budgets. Whether or not you choose to accept a charity gig is up to you, but here are some tips on handling the requests on the GigSalad platform.

Verifying the legitimacy of a charity gig request

When accepting a charity gig, performers should verify the nonprofit's status to ensure the event aligns with their values and expectations. Start by asking for the organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN), which can be used to look up its nonprofit status through the IRS website.

Additionally, websites like Guidestar and Charity Navigator provide free access to nonprofit information, including financial transparency and legitimacy. It's also helpful to check the nonprofit's official website or social media profiles for details about its mission, past events, and community impact. Taking these steps will give you confidence that you're working with a reputable organization.

Sending a quote for a charity gig

When you accept a lead for a charity gig, you can still get the benefits of booking on GigSalad. However, you are required to send a quote to the client so they can book you. If your nonprofit client didn't find you on GigSalad, you can also send a quote to them using the Book Outside Gig tool.

Pricing for charity gigs

Many performers who choose to accept charity gigs ask for a small contribution toward gas and travel or a small percentage of their normal fee. It's always good to have a conversation with the client to determine a price that works for both of you.

Note: The minimum quote you can send on GigSalad is $15.

Benefits to booking a charity gig

GigSalad treats charity gigs like regular bookings. You'll get credit for them as long as you mark the lead as booked or the client pays your fee (or the minimum quote) through the platform. When booking on-site, the client will still pay a small service fee, even for charity gigs. Once the event is over, the client can leave you a verified review. In addition, the booking will count toward your Top Performer status.

🤝 Learn more about how to handle requests for charity gigs.

Declining a request for a charity gig

You are under no obligation to accept requests for charity events. The best practice here is to simply decline the lead and refrain from insulting the client for their request. Don't ignore the leads, or they may count against your response time.