So I volunteered to make websites for a few charity organizations...

[illbill]

I sent in my application to a bunch of organizations such as the Ann Foundation which aids disabled children in foreign countries.

Hopefully some of them will want me to make them an ultra nice site. I'm actually kind of excited to do what I can to help.

[tjwmason]

1. Good for you

It always feels very rewarding to use one's particular skills to help a good cause - I know that giving them money is good, but there's something about a direct practical application of one's abilities.

:yourock:

[rooboy]

2. I hope it works out for you...

but my experience hasn't been very positive in this regard. I've offered to do sites for at least 5 or 6 groups for free, and the responses ranged from indifference to suspicion.

Personally I don't do stuff for free anymore - if it's a worthy cause, I charge them and then donate the fees back in return. But for some reason, offering services for free seems to encourage some people to treat you like a prostitute.

[Spinzonner]

3. If you're not getting paid for it

they may feel they don't have any leverage with respect to getting what they want and on schedule.

I expect that, as much as they like donated labor and need it, they probably have - through experience- learned that it is often unreliable precisely because there's nothing owed that the provider is working for.