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Any freelance fundraisers out there - can you advise me on working out rates etc.?

5 replies

artifarti · 20/05/2013 21:17

I am currently a SAHM after 14 years of work as a trust fundraiser. There is the potential for me to take on some freelance work for a small charity who need someone to do some research and write proposals but I have always worked as in-house staff before so have no idea what to charge/how to work out what to charge.

Can anyone help? I am based in London if that's relevant.

OP posts:
MrsMargoLeadbetter · 21/05/2013 09:44

I am a marketing freelancer, so not exactly what you are looking for, but I do work with charities. I would say that with this sector maybe more than most what they are willing to pay is a big factor!

I have a contact who charges £400 per day (no VAT) for freelance fundraising work, but obviously that changes depending on who she is working for. Her background is more focused on major donors, she is SE too.

When I worked for a charity (£3 m t/o) we were used to paying between £350 - £1000 a day for consultant help depending on the need/expertise etc.

Could you work out what "you" would cost as an employee? I appreciate they probably couldn't employ a full time "you" but it might give you an idea of your 'value'.

I'd also have a poke around their latest accounts on the Charity Commission website. They might outline what sort of help they have purchased before etc.

I would imagine that they'd be looking for a fixed price job, so you'll need to estimate your time, which is always difficult even when you have done lots of freelance work. I find it always takes longer than you think! I think you just need to be honest, maybe estimate a little over as they'll probably try to negotiate down! Just don't get talked into payment by results!!

I use www.paymo.biz/ to track my time. It is free and has a desktop & app version. It helps you keep a realistic track of how long things take.

You aren't asking about this & may know about it...as with anyone thinking about going self-employed you also need to think about tax, NI, marketing costs if you foresee this becoming a big income stream for you. I work almost full time and I put 25% aside for all of that (earn under the higher tax bracket).

You can earn c£9K without paying tax, but you will still need to register as self-employed. www.hmrc.gov.uk/selfemployed/register-selfemp.htm

Not sure if that is any help! Hopefully a fundraiser will also be along to add their thoughts.

Good luck. Good fundraisers are always needed.

artifarti · 22/05/2013 12:11

Many thanks MrsM, that is very useful Smile

OP posts:
gottogetdressed · 24/05/2013 14:45

Hi, I'm a freelance fundraiser (although currently on mat leave) and work through my limited company.

As poster above said, you may well find yourself charging didn't rates for different clients and type of work, but the main thing is to work out what you need to earn to make a decent take home figure after all costs to you (tax, IT, phone, travel (unless you charge this seperately) etc.).

For what it's worth, my day rates fluctuates between about £300 and £350 (most work in London) but I mostly work with small charities (turnover under £1m) and I am relatively new to freelance work (so need to build experience and reputation). I think in reality I could/should ask more!

My lower rates are for the bid writing type stuff, mostly trusts.

Happy to chat more if you want to pm me. Good luck!

artifarti · 03/06/2013 10:28

Sorry just seen this! Thanks so much for your input, that's really helpful.

OP posts:
sipofwine · 06/06/2013 21:09

Hi artifarti (and gotogetdressed, if you are still following this thread). I wrote a thread today asking about bank accounts and then read this one so hope you don't mind me re-asking my question directly to you?... I am just starting out as a self-employed fundraising consultant and have so far got two offers to be sub-contracted to consultancies (on an ad-hoc basis, obviously) so am very much finding my feet and fact-finding. Did you find that it was necessary to open a business bank account as a freelancer or go ahead with a normal current account to have fees paid in/pay expenses out of? I ask because I went to meet the business account manager at the bank today and he basically said I would need a business bank account as organisations (i'll be dealing mostly with charities but I guess others such as governmental/unis etc) won't be happy to pay my fee in to a 'personal account' as they wouldn't be able to claim back the VAT etc. Has this been your experience? I am only putting off doing this as I don't want to spend money unnecessarily and the perks of having a business account don't really apply to me, ie loans, opening premises advice, taking on staff etc. I'd be really grateful for any advice on this or any other matters concerning becoming self-employed in this area. Thanks.

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