Honorarium Decision Tree

Yes, you’ve earned it! You have been offered an honorarium because we value your time, labor, and expertise.

We serve individuals in a range of financial situations, and have been asked by past participants to provide guidance for those who feel more financially comfortable and would like to give back.

1. Determine your budget category

In each budget category, you’ll find examples to help you determine which fits your situation.

*Basic needs include food, housing, transport. **Expendable income means you might be able to buy nice coffee or tea at a cafe, go to the movies or a concert, pay for Spotify premium, or etc.

Budget I

• I frequently stress about my basic* needs and don’t always meet them;
• I have debt that sometimes prohibits me from acquiring my basic* needs;
• I rent lower-end rooms or have an unstable living situation;
• I am unemployed, have a low wage job/jobs, or qualify for State assistance;
• I don’t have regular access to health care;
• I have no access to savings;
• I have no or very limited expendable** income

Budget II

• I may stress about meeting my basic* needs but still often achieve them;
• I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of my basic* needs;
• I am employed;
• I have access to health care;
• I might have access to financial savings;
• I have some expendable** income and am able to buy some new items;
• I sometimes can afford a holiday

Budget III

• I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic* needs;
• I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of my basic* needs;
• I own my home or am able to rent an apartment in most places in town;
• I am employed or do not need to work to meet my needs;
• I have regular access to health care;
• I might have access to financial savings;
• I have an expendable** income and can choose whether or not to buy new items;
• I can afford holidays or take time off.

Budget IV

I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic* needs; I do not have debt, or it does not prohibit attainment of my basic* needs; I own my home or am able to rent in most places in town; I am employed in a well-paying job or do not need to work to meet my needs; I have regular access to health care and other employer-paid benefits; I have financial savings and investments; I have a generous expendable** income and can afford to purchase some luxury items; I can afford regular holidays or take time off.

Budget scale adapted from A White Instutution’s Guide for Welcoming Artists of Color and Their Audiences by Fannie Sosa, originally adapted from the payment scale for Transmission Festival from the Green Bottle Guide by Alexis J. Cunningfolk.

2. Budget-based Guidance

Regardless of budget category, you are deserving of this honorarium! This is only a guide, please make whatever decision feels best for you. We may also be able to connect you with additional services, programs, or funding opportunities. Ask us for info!

Budget I & II

If you’d like to give back to MoHA, consider volunteering or donating when you can at events. We don’t turn anyone away from MoHA events due to lack of funds. Come hang.

Budget III & IV

If you’d like to give back to MoHA, consider volunteering, becoming a member, or making an annual contribution. Check with your employer to see if they have a donation-matching program.

The Museum of Human Achievement is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and all contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

3. I still don’t want an honorarium

If for any reason you do not want or cannot accept an honorarium, or if you would prefer a reduced honorarium, let us know.

Declined funds will go back into the program budget to be used in current or future rounds.

If you have feedback on this guide, we’d love to hear it.