Is it worth the effort to attempt to get an A-list celebrity for my nonprofit?

My experience is that it’s NOT worth the effort. Of course, if you’re set on an A-lister, by all means try contacting their representative. All that can happen is they say no or you don’t hear back from them. However, this could waste precious time where you could be negotiating with a celebrity who is more excited about working with your organization.

The thing about A-list celebs is that they usually already have a long-term relationship with an existing nonprofit. Or many of them start their own nonprofit organizations. Because of this, they are less likely to negotiate with you and take time away from the charitable activities they are already committed to. Small- to mid-sized celebrities are more likely to get back with you sooner. Also, mid-listers are growing their audience and may be actively looking for the right charity organization to partner with. You have more to offer them in the way of a mutually beneficial partnership.