10 Simple Strategies for Donating a Mural That Benefits Your Business, Too
Anyone else still recovering from the shitshow that was 2024? Same. For me personally, election anxiety pretty heavily clouded my Q4, and the first few weeks of 2025 haven’t been much brighter. Some days it all feels pretty overwhelming, and it can feel helpless to think that as one person, I can’t really impact the trajectory of national politics or the state of our world (no matter how hard I try).
I know you’ve heard this, but starting small and trying to make a difference in your own neighborhood and community is truly the best chance we have of making a real change. In light of recent events (like, this country), I have taken this adage to heart and made an intentional effort to get involved in bettering the place that I live. I’ve also tried to focus on the small, tangible ways I can spread light. For me, that’s painting walls.
Donating murals has been an amazing way for me to feel connected to my community, and like I am putting my energy into something that matters. It feels really good! Not only am I creating positive human interactions, I’m physically moving some energy through my body in a productive way. But as a small business, I also need to ensure that I’m not overextending myself—a balance many of us creatives strive for (and often fail at). If you, like me, want to share your murals with the world and are ready to donate your work, I’ve compiled some guidelines that (through much trial and error) I’ve found helpful to ensure all of our contributions are both impactful and sustainable.
With the right boundaries in place, together we can brighten our fellow humans’ days with colorful art and inspirational messages, and take control of our own narrative by doing something positive with the, well… less than positive feelings. Donating more murals was on my 2025 mood board - if it’s on yours, too, take a gander below and then let’s get to painting!
1. Understand the Tax Implications
While I certainly understand the impulse to “just do it” and start offering murals up left and right (especially when I’m feeling down about a recent CNN headline), I’m here to remind you that in order to help others you have to put your own oxygen mask on first. One very important thing to keep in mind before you commit to a mural donation: you can’t write off the full cost of the project. According to my CPA, you can only deduct your expenses, such as paint supplies and gas. While the project may be a labor of love, it’s crucial to budget realistically and know what benefits you can and can’t claim. You don’t want to get into a situation where the money and time you’ve dedicated to others becomes a source of stress for you and your business. The energy you bring to any project will transfer to others, and we want all the good vibes going up with that paint! Take a moment to take inventory on your financial goals and the emotional space/ physical energy you have to draw on to ensure that you’re not pouring (painting?) from an empty cup.
2. Ensure Creative Freedom
A mural we donated to Garfield Elementary school in San Diego in December 2024.
When you’re donating a mural, it’s essential to maintain creative freedom. Since you’re offering your time and talent, you shouldn’t be bogged down by endless revisions. If the entity you are donating to isn't open to a more lax approach to the design process, it can become draining and possibly a source of resentment (again, we are trying to keep the vibes high here people!!).
Be sure to approach the project with clear boundaries for both yourself and the client:
Set expectations about the number of revisions upfront
Emphasize that you’re donating the mural and while you’ll take their wants into consideration, you also need the flexibility to add your own touches and do what feels right to you. Blame it on your portfolio!
Be clear about the timeline. This is mostly for you - set a hard deadline and clear space to give the donated mural your full attention, otherwise it can become something that feels like homework in between your paid jobs (take it from me!), and not a feel-good way to connect with your community
Even though this is a donation, consider creating a contract that clearly outlines all of the above. Having boundaries in writing upfront will always make everything go more smoothly. Download my go-to Contract Template and tweak it for specific projects!
The end goal is to walk away from your donation feeling proud of not only the finished mural, but of yourself for contributing your business’ time in a way that feels good.
3. Ask for a Testimonial or Google Review
While you likely aren’t receiving any monetary compensation for your donated mural, you can still benefit from more than the feeling of a job well done! Don’t be afraid to tell the client that all you ask in return for your work is a Google review or a testimonial (with photos, if they can swing it) from them. Small businesses know that Google reviews are essential to growing a client-facing business and boosting your credibility. Something I learned from my digital strategy team is that Google loves a review with a photo, and this type of review will impact your digital footprint more heavily than a text-only review. Donating a mural doesn’t have to be completely self-sacrificing. Positive feedback not only validates your work but also serves as a valuable marketing tool - so get that Google business page set up and make sure you’re getting that review!
4. Send Out a Press Release
Don’t underestimate the power of publicity. After your mural is done, send a press release to local media outlets to share your story. Every local news station is looking for some good news to cut through the constant tragedies we see on TV. You could even reach out ahead of time so they can get some content of you installing the mural. I’ve done this many times and have a nearly 100% success rate of getting media coverage. With a little traction, not only might you find your work featured in the news or in community writeups, but you are also highlighting the impact of the mural and the amazing work being done by the organization or business you supported. It’s a win-win for everyone.
How to reach out to a news station? Google your local news stations and they typically have a link on their website that says "submit news tip." You can also reach out to social media accounts that cover local news by emailing or DM’ing them with your press release and photos!
5. Identify Causes You Genuinely Care About
I am a big believer in working with your natural talents and interests - not against them. Sometimes I take on a job that I am not excited about, but that’s because it pays the bills. When I am donating a mural, however, I offer my services to organizations that align with my personal values. For me, that often looks like Title 1 schools, non-profits, or small women-owned businesses that I believe in- I have loved working with elementary schools in need, here in San Diego. Passion fuels creativity, so working on a project you deeply believe in will make the process more rewarding.
Ask yourself:
Does this organization’s mission align with my personal or professional goals?
Have they made a meaningful impact in their community?
Do I feel excited about designing something for them?
As an example, I’ve donated murals to Title 1 schools in need because I believe in the importance of creating inspiring spaces for kids. These projects not only uplift students but also bring me an immense amount of joy!
6. Set Clear Boundaries
One of a few murals we did for a food bank in 2024. The color in the space brought so much positive energy!
As much as we might like to think we can do it *all,* the reality is that your time and resources are limited. To avoid burnout (millennials, I know we all struggle with this) it's imperative to establish boundaries around your donated work upfront.
Taking inventory of what paid projects are already on the books, and offering a set number of pro bono projects for the year ahead. Be honest with yourself about what you can take on!
Limiting the size or complexity of the donated mural. I personally think 100-200 sq ft is reasonable for one person to donate every six months - as this will likely result in 2-5 days off from being paid.
Providing the design and labor for free, but asking the client to cover the cost of the paint, which is usually no more than $250 for 100-200 sq ft.
Remember, donating doesn’t have to mean absorbing all expenses. For example, a food bank that we recently donated to has agreed to write Pandr a Google review, gave us $200 in gas cards, paid for lunches while working on site, and paid for all the paint supplies. This sort of collaboration between your business and the client you are donating to is completely reasonable! Setting clear expectations upfront ensures the partnership remains equitable and that you both feel good about the time and energy spent.
7. Communicate the Value of Your Work
Even though you’re donating a mural, don’t feel like you can’t treat the recipient like you would any other client (with a few caveats)! It’s important that you communicate the value of what you are doing for them. Not only will this help the recipient understand the significance of your contribution, but can help build respect for the mural industry as a whole (no more starving artists in 2025!!!!).
This can look like:
Sharing your typical rates for similar projects
Highlight the community impact of your work
Document the project and share it on social media to show its reach and importance
This also sets the tone for future collaborations and encourages others to see art/ murals as a valuable investment and share their experience with others. You all know I love a cold email, but there is really nothing better than when someone hears about you through a happy past client/ word of mouth!
8. Prioritize Longevity and Accessibility
If you are donating a mural, chances are this isn’t something that will only be on a wall for a short amount of time, like a billboard that is switched out frequently. With that said, you want to focus on creating murals that will have a lasting impact. This means using high-quality materials, and being intentional about designing something that resonates deeply with the community. Additionally, think about accessibility - who is the main audience for this and how will it be viewed?
Will the mural be visible to the public?
How will it enhance the space or serve its intended audience?
What sort of message will inspire the intended audience?
In the schools I’ve painted in, I’ve seen how a well-placed mural can transform a hallway or playground into a vibrant, welcoming space that students cherish for years. It’s so fulfilling to see students light up with the addition of color and inspiring messages. Make sure your donation will resonate for years to come.
9. Involve the Community
Remember how I suggested sending out a press release or contacting local news stations to spread the word about your donated mural? Consider making your donation a community effort and garner even more publicity, while involving the very people your mural is for! Hosting a public paint day, for instance, can foster a sense of ownership and pride in the final piece. If your design is too intricate to include public help, try arranging a Live Painting day where people can come watch you install the mural and ask you questions about the process. Being open to involving and interacting with the community will create a deeper connection between the mural and its audience - plus, it’s fun!
10. Balance Giving with Earning
Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind you that while donating murals is an amazing thing to do that truly does make a difference, as much as you want to give back to your community you also need to keep your business running. Do not feel guilty or selfish about embracing this reality! By balancing pro bono projects with paid ones, you can maintain financial stability while still making an impact.
Some things I do that help me successfully walk the fine line between donating just enough and over exerting myself includes:
Scheduling donations during slower seasons
Using these projects as portfolio builders to attract future clients
Partnering with sponsors to offset costs on bigger projects
I think it can be easy to feel like you need to be all-sacrificing to truly feel like you are “donating” your services - but I can’t stress enough that considering the wellbeing of both yourself and your business first does not detract from the amazing impact your donated mural will make!
TLDR; Donate your time, while prioritizing your business
All said and done, donating murals is a very meaningful way for artists to contribute to society - and it brightens my day whenever someone reaches out to the Pandr team with questions about how they can donate a mural themselves! I believe that today, more than ever, it’s imperative that we are all looking out for each other and actively participating in the well-being of our communities. AND, it’s important to do this in a way that’s sustainable for our businesses. By setting clear boundaries, prioritizing projects that resonate with you on a personal level, and involving the community, you can make a lasting impact without sacrificing your livelihood. TLDR; the act of giving doesn’t have to drain you—it can energize and inspire you, too!
So when the world feels scary, the wine bottle is empty, and you start to feel overwhelmed with the headlines we are constantly bombarded with, take a deep breath, feel your feet on the floor, and think about who, within a 5 mile radius of where you are right now, could benefit from your art. Start small, and watch what happens. I bet your light will spread a lot faster than you expect.