Non-profit organization accuses web designer of being greedy after she refuses to volunteer her designs for free: ‘We're a charity, don't you want to help us?’

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Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
May 22, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

As much as it may be fulfilling to work for a non-profit organization, it must also be extremely challenging. Since everything is based on donations, moving forward and actually making a change depends on the kindness of others, and we all know how hard gaining that can be.

Which is why it makes sense when charities turn to different people and ask for their services for free. If they don't have the money to pay for it, the only thing they can do is ask nicely for someone to donate their time and talent, and hope they will agree to it.

However, if someone cannot afford to do so, accusing them of anything is downright wrong. No one should be pressured to work for free, no matter who it is for. It is more than disrespectful to assume that just because someone can't afford to offer their services for free to a charity organization, that says anything about who they are as people.

Unfortunately, that is exactly what the non-profit organization in the story below did to this web designer, after they asked for her services for free. She tried to offer them alternatives, but they refused, and it led to quite an awkward confrontation. 

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  • 01
    ☆ broase terit 29u
    via pixelshot

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02

    "We're a Charity, So..."

    I do a bit of freelance web design on the side. A local non-profit reached out to me. They're a small organization with a very limited budget, and they were looking to get a website.
    via leafy2002
  • 03
    They contacted me with this: "We're a charity, and we do good work in the community. We were wondering if you'd be willing to donate your services to create a website for us?"
    via leafy2002
  • 04
    I sometimes do reduced-rate work for non-profits, but donating a whole website is a significant amount of work. So, I explained my usual non- profit rate, which was already heavily discounted.
    via leafy2002
  • 05
    "Oh," the person said, "We were really hoping for something completely free. We have very little money." I said that I couldn't work for free, but I was offering a substantial discount.
    via leafy2002
  • 06
    "Well, we need a really professional-looking website. It has to be modern, mobile- responsive, and easy to update. We also need e- commerce functionality,
    via leafy2002
  • 07
    because we want to sell merchandise. And we need a donation page, of course, with recurring donation options. And it needs to be really secure, because we'll be
    via leafy2002
  • 08
    handling sensitive information." They continued to list off features: a blog, a calendar of events, a photo gallery, social media integration, and more.
    via leafy2002
  • 09
    It was essentially a list of everything a large, well- funded company would want on their website. And they wanted it for free.
    via leafy2002
  • 10
    I was amazed. "You're asking for a complex, custom-built website with a lot of advanced features," I said. "Even at my regular rate, this would be a significant project. For free, it's completely unrealistic."
    via leafy2002
  • 11
    They responded with a guilt trip: "We're a charity! We help people! Shouldn't you want to help us? This would be a great way for you to give back to the community."
    via leafy2002
  • 12
    I explained, again, that I do offer discounted rates, and I also volunteer my time in other ways, but I couldn't run my business by giving away my services for free.
    via leafy2002
  • 13
    They were not happy. They accused me of being greedy and uncharitable. They ended the conversation by saying they would find someone else who was "more willing to help."
    via leafy2002
  • 14
    jenneybearbozo3 I'd probably say something like "if I did that much work for fee, I'd need charity myself so... no"
    via jenneybearbozo3
  • 15
    Cheezburger Image 10508437248
    via kanchanachitkhamma

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 16
    Melodic-Ear-4083 I don't really have a problem with a charity asking for free whatevers but if the answer is no then f you & your attempted guilt tripping!!! Especially considering the scope of the work they wanted done!
    via Melodic-Ear-4083
  • 17
    stillfreshet They're not going to find anyone to do what they described for free.
    via stillfreshet
  • 18
    kruznkiwi takes note of which charity not to support I understand people especially in charities requesting assistance, but they should
    via kruznkiwi
  • 19
    also know better than others that "no" is a full sentence. It's the person trying to guilt trip and getting mad that's irritating for me.
    via kruznkiwi
  • 20
    FloatingPencil "We're a charity..." "I'm not."
    via FloatingPencil
  • 21
    Aviation_nut63 You dodged a bullet. There would have been endless changes and additions to the project.
    via Aviation_nut63

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