Contracting at high rate for charity

[fullyautomatix]

I've never been asked to lower my rate for any of the charities I've either contracted at or provided deliverables to. I knew someone who had a lengthy contract with a well-known charity. Not the greatest rate, but he did have whole swathes of time where he had no work. They just paid the money.

That said, I'm yet to work with a charity that was even half-way organised. They seem to be full of people who couldn't even cut it in the public sector. Pay wise, they are fine though.

Charities and Councils are just spending money which they did not have to earn. So yeah, they will spend it like there is no tomorrow paying the highest rates. Ironic really when it comes to charities, they are set up for a specific cause and should focus on spending on that cause.

[fullyautomatix]

Got this opportunity, 6 months initially, they are paying an above private sector average rate for my area of expertise, because it's urgent. How long until they ditch me or start begging me to accept a lower rate, it because it's too expensive for them?

I'm close to declining the offer, but would like to see what others have experienced

There must be a reason why charities offer above average rates. Let me think what it can be. I know, maybe its because all the contractors start thinking there must be something fishy with charity offering above average rate and so start declining, thus triggering a vicious cycle.

[garethevans1986]

I did a 3 month stint with a charity a few years ago, good fellas and really nice people to work with, all of the work was remote so didnt need to travel into their office etc, unfortunately their budget was tight so that put a limit on the amount of contract work I could do for them but they came back to me a few months later and still a customer today.

GE

[Eirikur]

I now declined the offer, also for reasons NLUK gave, a charity just looks absolutely rubbish on your cv. They are in a constant mess, nothing seems to happen. All you achieve is deskill yourself.
Accepted another contract with a large telco/ISP, bit lower rate but looks better on cv and more widely used technology.

[northernladuk]

Could you elaborate a bit pls? Do they have a particular rep or way of working?

I'm genuinely interested

Different reasons I seem to remember. One took a low rate to get off the bench but he said it was a complete mess. Expect him to sort it all out. Just no support or structure many large companies had. JFDI on a shoestring type thing. Another had problems getting paid. Although they were all charities there were enough problem stories to switch me off.

That said some people said PS is a nightmare and I've found it OK. Maybe just horses for courses.

[youngguy]

I don't even bother with charities whatever the rate. I know a few people that have tried them and not one of them has much good to say. Buggers your CV up as well IMO.

I steer well clear personally.

Could you elaborate a bit pls? Do they have a particular rep or way of working?

I'm genuinely interested

[Snarf]

I don't see why there is an issue? Its above market rate but youre worried they will lower it in the future?

Few options:

1. Dont take it, wait and maybe find something else at market rate.
2. Take it and fill your boots until they ask you to lower your rate, then lower your rate down to the market rate.
3. Take it and fill your boots until they ask you to lower your rate, then say no, They will either keep you at your higher rate or end your contract.

Of all three option 2 seems the best, you get the higher rate for as long as it lasts then IF they try to lower it at some point in the future and its still acceptable stay, youll still have had x months at a higher rate than if you didnt take it.

[MrMarkyMark]

I had a bad experience with a city council. 6 month contract ditched after 2 months, because someone was coming back from maternity leave at some point in the future. I'm afraid charities will be similar or worse.

If most of us had the attitude that you are displaying with this, we would never work at all

Honestly, you just cannot compare this sort of thing, people can have bad experiences on one contract with one company, then have another one, same company different team, where it can be quite good.

[LondonManc]

I had a bad experience with a city council. 6 month contract ditched after 2 months, because someone was coming back from maternity leave at some point in the future. I'm afraid charities will be similar or worse.

Not that there's stories of other organisations cutting contractors at a moment's notice in any other sector, or anything like that.....

Banking?

[northernladuk]

I had a bad experience with a city council. 6 month contract ditched after 2 months, because someone was coming back from maternity leave at some point in the future. I'm afraid charities will be similar or worse.

What use is any of that????

[GillsMan]

I've never been asked to lower my rate for any of the charities I've either contracted at or provided deliverables to. I knew someone who had a lengthy contract with a well-known charity. Not the greatest rate, but he did have whole swathes of time where he had no work. They just paid the money.

That said, I'm yet to work with a charity that was even half-way organised. They seem to be full of people who couldn't even cut it in the public sector. Pay wise, they are fine though.

[Eirikur]

My highest every rate was 9 months for a charity. I left once I'd had enough.

You're asking for answers to potenital future behaviour of a client about which we know nothing I assume in order to obtain some peace of mind about YOUR decision. Really?

Turning down a well paid gig on the off chance they might lower the rate at some unknown point in the future sounds like rank stupidity to me

I had a bad experience with a city council. 6 month contract ditched after 2 months, because someone was coming back from maternity leave at some point in the future. I'm afraid charities will be similar or worse.

[oracleslave]

My highest every rate was 9 months for a charity. I left once I'd had enough.

You're asking for answers to potenital future behaviour of a client about which we know nothing I assume in order to obtain some peace of mind about YOUR decision. Really?

Turning down a well paid gig on the off chance they might lower the rate at some unknown point in the future sounds like rank stupidity to me

[northernladuk]

I don't even bother with charities whatever the rate. I know a few people that have tried them and not one of them has much good to say. Buggers your CV up as well IMO.

I steer well clear personally.

[Eirikur]

Got this opportunity, 6 months initially, they are paying an above private sector average rate for my area of expertise, because it's urgent. How long until they ditch me or start begging me to accept a lower rate, it because it's too expensive for them?

I'm close to declining the offer, but would like to see what others have experienced