Once you’ve established your break-even point, you’ll know what your organization needs to charge to stay afloat. Now you have to think about whether your clients will be willing to pay the price. To make an educated guess, consider the going market rate for services similar to those your organization offers. What are competitive service providers charging? Are these competitors for-profit groups or non-profit groups? (Your rates should align with other non-profits.)
If your prices or fees are significantly higher or significantly lower than your competitors, consider the implications: If you’re low, perhaps you can increase your fee and pay your volunteers more, or invest in more supplies. If you’re high, you’ll need to think about how to raise additional funds so you can lower your fees to a more suitable range. Figuring out the appropriate fees for your products or services requires time, energy, and research.