Is an appreciation gift appropriate here?

April 24, 2008 10:09 AM

Two parts: 1. Is it appropriate to give a gift to someone to thank them for donated services? 2. If so, what kind of gift?

My organization, a nonprofit, is having a grand opening event for our new location next week. We had planned on hiring a musician (something we've had at past events) to play background music while guests mingle, eat, etc.

However, due to our small budget it didn't look like it was in the cards this time - but a co-worker talked to a musician friend of hers and has gotten her to agree to play for us at no charge. It's a lunchtime event, about an hour commitment. There will be 75 to 100 guests in attendance.

So, since we are not able to pay her (and she understands that), I was thinking we could get her some kind of appreciation gift. We give public recognition to businesses that donate money and/or raffle prizes for our events, but since this is an individual who is giving her time (and doesn't really stand to gain anything from public recognition, though she is acknowledged in our program) it feels like something else is in order.

Any thoughts on whether it's appropriate (or even expected) that we get her something, and what kind of gift to give?

posted by Ruby Doomsday to society & culture (17 comments total)

A thank-you note is appropriate, no more. If I volunteer my time for this kind of event (and I have) I don't expect to get anything more (and I haven't).
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 10:14 AM on April 24

Are you allowing her to set out a tip jar? If so, that might be considered a gift?

I would just talk to the co-worker and see if they know what the musician might like.
posted by krisak at 10:17 AM on April 24

We have a major event a couple of times a year where I work, and we give our guest speakers (who donate their time) a gift card to a coffee shop, along with a handwritten note. Although I'm not sure they necessarily expect it, I get the feeling that it continues to create good will, through being acknowledged in a small way, such that they continue to come back. People just like to feel as if their contributions are appreciated, and I think being remembered with something tangible and thoughtful is almost more important than what is given.
posted by SpacemanStix at 10:19 AM on April 24

Flowers?
posted by metahawk at 10:36 AM on April 24

I assume someone will be giving a short speech to the assembled guests (thanking them for coming or whatever), make sure to give her a "thank you" at the same time...recoginition is the best gift you can give.
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 10:46 AM on April 24 [1 favorite]

I think SpacemanStix has it - a very nice handwritten note implies more appreciation for the donation of time than an off the shelf gift would. Perhaps a card with a handwritten note of thanks signed by everyone who helped organize the event; attached to an off the shelf gift? That would give them something they can keep as a momento that doesn't take up space, and something seperate that they can use.
posted by krisak at 10:49 AM on April 24

Thank you notes are always nice. If you are in the US, you could also give her an additional letter containing your non-profit's tax ID number and the monetary value of her performance so she can get a charitable writeoff on her taxes next April.
posted by jamaro at 10:52 AM on April 24

It is appropriate, but it's probably not expected. It would be a nice touch, though, especially if properly accompanied by a well-written thank you note.
posted by jacquilynne at 12:27 PM on April 24

I would always appreciate something like a massage (gift certificate for one) or other spa service accompanied by a thank you note.
posted by nikksioux at 12:37 PM on April 24

I used to donate my web design services to our local Big Bother Big Sisters chapter. Once a year (usually around Christmas), they would send me some homemade cookies and something like a coffee mug with their logo on it. I certainly wasn't expecting anything, but it was touching. Like others have mentioned, a card with a note signed by the staff would probably be appropriate and appreciated.

On somewhat of a side note, I don't think the tax ID number will be necessary. IANAAccountant, but last I checked, donated goods were deductible but not donated services. (see IRS website)
posted by geeky at 1:20 PM on April 24

geeky's correct- your friend won't be able to write it off.

I'd suggest a card and a bottle of wine if it seems appropriate.
posted by small_ruminant at 2:12 PM on April 24

Oh- and in the card, if it's true, I'd mention how I'd be sure to recommend her to my (paying!) friends and clients in the future.
posted by small_ruminant at 2:13 PM on April 24

Geeky's indeed right: sorry about that, I donate artwork but since there's a tangible good being exchanged, I get a writeoff...in my head, I simply think of it as a service and thus conflated it with music.

She can, however, deduct her travel costs associated with the volunteer service.
posted by jamaro at 2:15 PM on April 24

I've received thank you gifts for a donation of time/services, and would rather not have. The goal was to help a struggling organization make its meager budget go further; it's rather embarrassing to get some trinket that is useless to me -- knowing that it could have done something useful in support of the org's mission.

As a donor, I'm happiest seeing my contributions supporting the mission. That's the real 'thank you'. Where you want to go the extra mile, a card or public callout is fine.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 3:54 PM on April 24

I used to be a library director, and we had volunteers all the time. For event speakers and entertainers who were volunteers, we usually got them a small appreciation gift. It was never expensive and always something that would remind them of our area/county, such as a mug made by a local artist. We also gave them lots of publicity. If the person was helping in some other way at an event (set up, manning booths, etc), we thanked them but did not give them a gift. However, everyone got a handwritten thank you note after an event. I think the thank you note is the most important thing to do for any person or business who contributes to your event, and don't make them generic thank yous. State specifically what they did and how much you appreciated it.

Regular library volunteers received plenty of verbal thank yous during their time as library volunteers. Also, once a year we held a volunteer luncheon to which all the people who had volunteered at the library during the year were invited. It was usually around Christmas, and we gave them a poinsettia or something similar. They really seemed to like that, and it didn't seem like we were doing so much as to cause embarrassment or negate their donation of time/service in any way. We always let them know that we could never do enough to repay them for all the wonderful things our volunteers had done for us.

I really do not think I'd allow her to set out a tip jar. Promotional cards or other such information placed appropriately would be fine, but a tip jar seems a little tacky to me.
posted by sapphirebbw at 6:11 PM on April 24

This may sound corny, but along with the thank you note, maybe a certificate of appreciation from the organization. Something she could put in her portfolio to show her volunteer work.
posted by NoraCharles at 6:19 PM on April 24

I have volunteered at several charity events through my job and one thing I have really appreciated is when they make sure I get a drink or snacks or something either before I start working or after. I've been to some events where the organizers seem scandalized that after an hour of explaining the registration process to guests we might want a drink of water.
posted by silkygreenbelly at 10:33 PM on April 24