Charities refusing to use donations to pay celebrity ‘appearance fees’

While many of our biggest stars including Dami Im, Anthony Callea and Kate Ceberano give their time freely to worthy causes, some charities are now refusing to use donor money to pay for appearance or performance fees.

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Charities fed up with paying celebrities fees to attend their events are now refusing to use donor money to lure big names, with at least one revealing the move has resulted in some of Australia’s best-known faces abandoning their event.

The Children’s Medical Research Institute’s head of fundraising Andrew Kelly told The Sunday Telegraph it will no longer pay celebrities between $10,000 and $15,000 to attend their annual The Denim Dinner.

“We won’t pay for celebrities to appear at the charity nights any more,” Mr Kelly said.

“There is likely going to be some well-known people who are supporters of the Institute at The Denim Dinner … but they are coming because they have a connection and motivation close to our cause and they want to support us as a charity.

“Usually the people who performed at our events did it at a much reduced rate. But we are not going to pay for celebrities to come and draw awareness to a cause which affects 1 in 20 children in Australia.”

Head of Fundraising Children's Medical Research Institute Andrew Kelly. Picture LinkedIn

While Anthony Callea often gives his time to charity freely, he can command between $10,000 and $15,000 a performance. Picture: Richard Jupe

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Another charity organiser, who chose to remain anonymous, said it’s often the celebrities’ agents and accountants who request outrageous fees.

“In past cases we have gone through the agent and they have sent us a quote, then we’ve managed to find a way to go to the talent direct and they have either waived their fee or discounted it,” she said.

“So more often than not they are happy to do it for free, but how does that benefit their agent?”

The one local celebrity The Children’s Medical Research Institute was able to secure for free is Australian actor and musician Joel Jackson.

Jackson, who has starred as Charles Bean in Deadline Gallipoli and Peter Allen in Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door, is both a singer and actor and is set to perform a number of songs at their fundraiser on June 22.

“Joel is performing for free and from now on we are looking to our circle to bring performers and celebrities to our night without having to pay,” Mr Kelly said.

“Joel is a true gentleman and when he performs he just beams energy into the crowd.

“He is a loyal and committed supporter of Children’s Medical Research Institute.”

One well-known talent agent said half of his clients choose to charge charities while the other half donate their time for free.

While they often give their time freely to charities, this is what some celebrities can charge.

“Many charities will tell you they don’t pay celebrities, but often they do,” he said.

“They say they don’t because people donating would be annoyed if they knew charities were paying out of their money for celebrities to attend.

“Celebrities either charge nothing for a charity event, especially if it is one they have a relationship with, or they have a discounted charity rate, but most of them definitely charge.
“There really is no set rule. Every celebrity and every circumstance is different.”

Saturday night corporate events are big business for stars, which means celebrities lose out if they commit to charity events.

Actor and singer Joel Jackson is known for always donating his time and talent to charities. He is headlining The Children’s Medical Research Institute’s upcoming The Denim Dinner. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“Our weekend is their Monday morning,” he said.

“Ten grand might sound like a huge amount to you and I, but once the artist has paid for travel and back up dancers, it ends up not being much.

“Also, the danger is for every charity gig you commit to, you can never cancel. You can cancel ordinary gigs, or video shoots, you cannot cancel a charity performance.”

Sony Foundation CEO Sophie Ryan, who has booked Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian, Dami Im and Delta Goodrem to perform at their annual Wharf4Ward event, said they had never paid an appearance or performance fee for their artists.

“Sony Foundation does not pay for ambassadors or artists to attend or perform at events, and never would,” Ryan said.

“As the charity arm of Sony, we are fortunate to be supported by ambassadors and Sony artists who are very willing to support our causes and help ensure we raise the huge amounts that we do.”

Dami Im is known for her charity work, often doing so for free. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Singer Kate Ceberano can command up to $15,000 a performance, but often gives her time freely. Picture: Nick Clayton

Dami Im’s manager Ken Outch yesterday told The Sunday Telegraph the popular singer “has performed without a fee this year for Compassion and other charities.”

“She has also performed without fee to support natural disasters funds in regional areas, Mr Outch said.

He said Im had not performed for “any charities this year for a fee”.

Kate Ceberano’s agent Frank Stivala echoed the comments.

“Most acts have their charity they support and work for free,” Mr Stivala said.

“But it’s their livelihood — they can’t keep doing free shows as they need to eat, and

support their family and band members as well — hence the discounted discount rate.

“(Ceberano’s) normal commercial fee is $25000 to $30000, plus GST.”

AACTA award winner Jackson said while he understands why celebrities ask for fees to attend and perform at charity events, as it is their job, he considered this his way of giving back to society.

“I am lucky enough that I am in a position where I am working and doing these things where I don’t have to ask for a fee,” Jackson said.

“It is a tough profession, let’s not kid ourselves, but if you are in a position where you can provide your services, especially at an event like this, where you are asking people to be generous … you should.

“The Children’s Medical Research Institute are changing the lives of future generations and are developing science and are one of the most highly developed medical science frontiers in the world.

“Performing for free is my contribution. It is my donation.”

Originally published as Charities refusing to use donations to pay celebrity ‘appearance fees’