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[almond]

I teach full time at an urban art school. Recently a nearby non-profit design company asked me to teach a short hands-on workshop on a topic I'm currently researching, but to which I'm a newbie.
I agreed to do it because I'm a friend of the organization, but now they're asking: "How much do you want?"
I'm not sure how much to ask for the work.

It will be about 5-6 weeks for 2-3 hours a week, it's my call. A handful of students, maybe 4-5?
The students are getting charged $150 for the course.

I'm trying to decide if it would be better to ask for an hourly rate
or something in full. I think they will expect me to lowball it, but I
will be doing substantial work and preparation for this, since I've
never taught anything like this before. Since this is my actual
job (teaching) I should be compensated for that
professional experience. At the least I want to throw out a number that will be
whittled down to something reasonable.

Any thoughts or experiences with "freelance" teaching rates?!

[zharkov]

I'd suggest that you find out what similar "adult ed" programs pay.  (This sounds like an adult ed sort of workshop.)   About 8 or 10 years ago, I ran a one-session workshop at a CC, did that two or three times, and I got something like $50.  The students paid something like $25.  Ballpark, I'd consider something like $100 per session for this gig.

It also depends on the motive of the non profit.  Are they focused on providing a service OR are they looking for a way to make some money?

[categorical]

I agree with zharkov.  I'd ask for $500.

[polly_mer]

$500 seems low to me, but since the organizers aren't charging enough to cover the $1000 that I would normally demand for a week's worth of prep and teaching, go with the $500.

[almond]

Thanks for the input everyone. The organizers considered offering the class for free but decided to charge a fee to "legitimize" the class. So the fee is not meant to cover the actual class costs. They consider it a service, an extra opportunity for students before the regular classes start.

500-800 seems to be the consensus with some other friends I've asked. polly-mer, what would you recommend if 500 is low in your min? I tend to agree, as that turns out to 25$ per hour for 10 hours class + 10 hours prep.

[polly_mer]

I tend to agree, as that turns out to 25$ per hour for 10 hours class + 10 hours prep.

6 meetings*3 hours/meeting=18 hours of just class time.

When I prep workshop-style classes from scratch, I usually require as much prep time as class time so that would be another 18 hours.

36 hours is a full teaching week for me, so I would charge around a thousand dollars (good round number close to $30 an hour).  If I were going to do most of the prep anyway for my own purposes, anticipate enjoying the experience, and feel charitable toward this organization, then I would cut a deal of maybe $900 or even $800.  If I were going to do a lot of special prep for this class--prep that probably will only be useful if I ever teach this particular class again-- or something twinged as being unpleasant, then I would charge $1200-$1500.

My general rule is that if I'm not doing something for a token honorarium because I believe in the cause, then I will be paid an amount reflecting my effort.  Otherwise, sure, pay my expenses and we'll call a hundred bucks good.