closed Price break for non-profit...?

[DryHeat]

Wondering what folks think an appropriate price break should be for a non-profit organization (all the way from "give it for free" to "just get the normal price since non-profits have their funding sources too") for the domain-name Choices.info; just got the following inquiry:

Dear Mr. Ghafoor:

I am inquiring about the domain name "choices.info" for use with our non-profit organization and program (called "CHOICES") which helps middle school students make wise choices in their lives. We have the immediate opportunity to have our logo and web address placed on a NASCAR race car for free (!), and need to obtain a shorter domain name for this purpose as soon as possible. choices.info would fit the bill!

Could you please let me know right away about its availability?
Thank you very much!

XXXXXX
CHOICES Education Group
www.choicesedgroup.org

P.S. WOULD APPRECIATE A VALUATION OF THE DOMAIN AS WELL!!

 

[Alex C.]

It depends how generous you're feeling... a 50% discount might be nice...

Alex

 

[chatcher]

Assuming you are subject to US tax laws, find out if they are recognized by the IRS as a charitable organization (not all non-profits are). If so, you may be able to donate the domain name to them at retail market value and deduct the contribution when filing your taxes. It could be a win-win situation for both of you.

 

[Sharpy]

It's a great name, and if you believe some of the pundents here, .info is only going to increase in value. It's a tough decision.

Are you a non-profit organization? If you are, then you could sell it to them for the reg fee.

Are you a for-profit organization who can afford to be philanthropic? Then you could give it to them.

Are you a person who likes to help out legitimate good causes when you can? This happens to be one of the times that you can? Then you could figure out what you would sell it for at full retail and offer them a nice discount, say 50% as mentioned above.

Are you a person who likes to help out legitimate good causes when you can? This is not one of those times when you can? Then you could offer it at full retail.

If none of the above fit, then you might reply that you are not entertainig offers at this time.

Just some options you might consider.

Now as for an appraisal, which I think you were also looking for, here's what mindful's cooltool says:

Note: I have evaluated the name with a marketing value of 5, others may place it lower.

Domain Name: choices.info
Key Words: choices
Google Hits: 7040000
Market Rating: 5.0
Length: 7
Extension Rating: 1.5
Length Rating: 4
Popular Rating: 3
Composite: 3.5
High Retail: $1,250
Low Retail: $938
Wholesale: $281

Cheers

 

[namedropper]

Choices.info is a prime name. Well, the .info is not perfect, but it's probably right after .com and .net in value.

I'd just ask for whatever your price would have asked for, unless you are rich and can afford to give up valuable unique items on a whim. If they don't want to pay what you want, you can respond by expressing sympathy and suggesting other names that aren't just as good, but are at least shorter than the one they have now. That way you even if they turn you down you can't say you didn't try to help.

And, I'll PM you some alternate names to suggest to them if and only if they turn down your normal offer.

 

[Jack Gordon]

Another possibility would be leasing the name to them for, say $100/yr for 2 years. It may take that long for the name to develop it's high-end potential value anyway. The only difficult part would be extricating your domain from the organization at the end of that period if you do choose to sell.

 

[ajiabs]

If I were in your position, I would get it apraised by one of the professional people like greatdomains or so, and ask the school to pay for the appraisal fee. Then donate the domain to the school. You can take a deduction in the taxes for the appraised amount. And best part there is no way you would be able to sell a domain anywhere near the appriased amount.
But you might want to check with a tax professional before you do it though.

 

[atlach]

raising your karma is priceless despite what big fart says

 

[Anthony Ng]

>ajiabs: If I were in your position, I would get it apraised by one of the professional people like greatdomains or so ...

First off, what makes you think that people like greatdomains.com are professional? Moreover, greatdomains.com is now dead, just another loser.

 

[Anthony Ng]

Okay, back to the topic.

I have transferred ownership of a 3-letter .org TOTALLY FREE to a non-profit organization a couple of years ago, when names like that was worth more than a thousand U.S. dollars at the least. But I think it's worth it, partly because they are a high-profile organization and fostering a good relationship with them is priceless. After all, I got an unexpected honorarium cheque months later.

 

[William9]

Heat:

I believe that there are the three issues related to establishing a policy of discounts for all not-for-profit organizations:

1. Should ALL accounting not-for-profit organizations get domain discounts?
2. Should a not-for-profit cause that I believe in get a discount on a domain I am selling?
3. Should I simply sell the domain at full price and then donate to a cause that I believe in?

1. Should ALL accounting not-for-profit organizations get a domain discounts?
Accounting not-for-profit organizations cannot distribute profits (excess of revenue of expenses) and must comply with other regulations most notably state and tax. That does not mean every one of their purchases should include a plea of poverty. That does not mean that they cannot have large amounts of revenue or that their directors cannot be well compensated.

It is my belief that if they do not have adequate resources for a purchase, they should look to buy something else cheaper or request more funds from donors. No one lists domains for sale as “$100 unless not-for-profit, then $80”. Are domains listed on E-bay as “Write me if not-for-profit and you only have to pay 80% of bid!”? Clearly, with respect to purchases by not-for-profit organizations, what they pay should and must be what everyone else normally pays (in my opinion).

The most convincing argument in the favor of the full price domain POLICY for not-for-profit organization purchase of domains is that immediately after purchase from you - they can say that they had no idea it was so valuable and then sell it at full-price!

Please do not get me wrong, there are many many worthwhile charitable organizations – it is just as a policy for the purchase of domains, they should pay full price. I consider it requesting a discount by bending-your-arm to contribute to a cause that you would not normally do so – and not getting the tax deduction.

2.Should a not-for-profit cause that I believe in get a discount on a domain I am selling?
Who knows if that discount would be tax deductible, but I believe that you would be much happier with 3. below. Not to change the subject, I once had a not-for-profit buy a product (not a domain), fail to pay the bill, and then finally write on a bill that I should consider it a contribution!

3.Should I simply sell the domain at full price and then donate to a cause that I believe in? That is exactly what I recommend. First, for sure, the cash contribution will be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. [I do not now want to comment on the deductibility of a domain contribution.] Next, you know you were not sucker played, that is, they will not take the domain and run or sell it. Finally, the cause you are supporting for sure is exists and is worthy [I do not have time to research the proposed organization].

In brief “Donate funds to established causes rather than domain discounts to requestors”

Just my thoughts but whatever you do,
good luck.

 

[.com.net.org]

give discount, but not for free.