How do I handle a Fundraiser?

[Rtistik]

I am new to facepainting and I have done a few birthday parties and one school event. The school payed me a flat fee and offset their fee by charging the students $1 per facepaint.
From that I got a call from the elementry school about doing their family fun fair. I gave the head of the PTO my price for 3 hours (with $50 off) and she mentioned that it is a fundraiser and she's not sure if they have that in their budget. She is going to speak with the others and get back to me.
I may get quite a few leads from this event so I'd love to do it, however I don't want to sell myself short.
How can I work this to be fair for everyone? What do I offer so they can make a profit? I'm so new to this that I just have no clue right now!!
Can you suggest anything?

[Glitterfly Faces]

I am newer as well.  And my suggestion is take what you can what you can at this point if nothing else is going on.
I ask for a tip jar to offset some of the costs.  Kids don;t tip, but their parents do, especially if it's free to them.  Ask for advertising in their news letter.
My experience at school events....it sucked.  No leads.  Low pay....and unappreciative kids. 

Now I still only charge $50 an hour.  So, if it is a big longer event.....I ask for free advertising in their newsletter, a link on their website, to be able to hand out business cards and disc. cards. (usually $10 off a 2 hour party.) 

My next event is free, but I got a link on their website, I get to put my flyer in the 400 goody bags, a tip jar and free advertising on their website for a year.  So, that to me is a good trade off. 

Just be careful of people taking advantage of you.  Your in it to make money and no one works for free.  But, I do believe in trade.

I am still really slow....but, I offer door prizes for events (say a 1 hour glitter tattoo party) hoping that whomever wins iy, wil need me for more then an hour.  Or someone at that party will book me.

[Just Jenny]

Ask yourself all the questions that you're asking.

What is this worth to you?
Advertising for paid future gigs or for more freebies
Local exposure is that good or bad?
Extra Practice, will this help you or don't you need it.
Product used, can you afford to give away your product, or Do you need it's cost covered?
Is anyone else getting paid??? the band, the bounce house, the hot dog guy?
There are a lot of other questions, but the bottom line is it's your decision.

Jenny
 

[Party Picassos Facepainting]

I have done fund raisers upon occasion, but they were causes that I personally support. If an organization is offering a weekend of work, I have lowered my hourly rate. They paid me $75 per hour and they charged individuals $5 per face to lessen their expense. Having a face painter around means the whole family stays longer while some of the family is in line for me. Then the others spend money elsewhere. Good of the organization!

Last night I did a Mardi Gras party at a bar. It was my first time painting in this environment. They first offered me $200 for three hours. Then came back, saying their client is only offering a $75 honorarium along with free drinks (alcoholic or non), some food, bring a guest along for free and paid parking.

I wasn't thrilled about the financial loss, but this would take me down a new avenue. Bars, big people, night life! Before they opened the doors, I was doubting that any one would even want my services. WRONG!!!!! I had a line the whole time. They were fun, opened to trying new ideas (not just painting butterflies and spiderman the whole time). Almost everyone took cards and talked of booking me throughout the year; several were event planners - so I'm crossing my fingers.

Yes, I took a financial loss, but it offered exposure to a new group of people. It was great practice and great fun. And I made a lot more than I would working at Walmart!

[reginanewsum]

Lots of great ideas on this subject! I am a sexual assualt advocate, I face paint at the yearly victims picnic in Aug, there is about 500 people that attend! I paint from 11 am to 8 pm almost non stop. My youngest takes the day off from work and comes and pants with me! Last yeas Aug is when I purchased the real stuff! Real fce paints, which costs more than the Palmer face paint kit at walmarts for $4.00! So I explained that to my group. They gave me $100.00 for the day for my materials, I was so happy, and we DID go threw alote! I am doing my first bar gig on March 17th, St Patties Day! At a place called Irish Pub! Go figure! But anyways, they have been known to crowd the people in for the cornbeef dinner, I have been there , it is great, but they don't want to pay me per hour (cheap old ......... place) I will paint for four hours, starting at 5 pm to 9 pm or later if busy, to get my name out and to be seen in my town, which don't know about face painting, I did get them to agree to this........
Two free dinner passes at any time (about $50 - it's about $25 per person to eat there, a good steak!)
free drinks for the night! and something to eat if I need it!(I don't drink, but it will be nice not to pay for a coke)
$50 in cash - as a payment to cover all my supplies
And I can put out a tip jar and my business cards

hopefully I will makes tips to cover my wages!

They close at 1 am in the morning, the owner said I could stay as long as I want or leave at 9! if things are going great who knows!

[Sherry]

You'll have to let us know how your St. Patty's Day event goes.  I was really wanting to do one of these, but didn't get any bites yet.  Bummer!

[reginanewsum]

I almost had to beg them! But the words "will paint for free" got them I think! Then I snuck the material cost thing in, and the free dinners, and the tip jar, and hopefully I will get close to my hourly rate! But I must think the master mind of my dealings, Kristi Darby! I chatted with her on how to do the bar gigs on st patties day, and what to say, for pay!  So thank you ever so much Kristi for your help and guidance.