Q: Can I still turn in donations?
A: Yes!  You can continue to receive online donations on your personal fundraising Web page until Friday, November 13, 2009.  You can also mail checks, money orders, and matching gift forms to the AIDS Walk office all year round, but the deadline to collect donations to qualify for Fundraising Incentive Awards or to be credited to your team’s total is Friday, November 13, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.
Donations can be mailed to:
AIDS Walk Los Angeles
P.O. Box 933005
Los Angeles, CA 90093

*Please be sure to clearly indicate the name of the walker who should receive credit for the donations you mail.

Q: I never picked up my Incentive Awards on the day of the AIDS Walk. How can I get them?
A: The deadline to turn in funds to qualify for Incentive Awards is November 13.  In order to save money on postage, we encourage you to visit the AIDS Walk office to pick up your awards Tuesday, November 17 - Friday, November 20 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or by appointment.  The AIDS Walk Los Angeles Office is located at 3550 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 890, Los Angeles, CA 90010.  You can park in the visitor parking lot on Ardmore St. and we will validate your parking.  Please call our office at (213) 201-WALK (9255) with any questions.

Please Note:  GREEN WALKERS are asked to continue their commitment to help AIDS Walk reduce our costs on paper and postage by picking up your awards at the AIDS Walk Los Angeles office.  We will only mail awards earned by Green Walkers upon request.  Please contact the AIDS Walk office (213) 201-WALK (9255) if you are a Green Walker and would like your awards mailed to you.

Q: I was not able to come to the Walk.  Can I still turn in donations and collect Fundraising Incentive Awards?
A: Absolutely, all donations can be sent to:
AIDS Walk Los Angeles
PO Box 933005
Los Angeles, CA 90093-3005
You can also donate online at aidswalk.net.
Please see above information regarding Fundraising Incentive Awards.

Q: Some of my donors sent in donations directly to the AIDS Walk Office. Can I get a list of people who sent checks in to sponsor me?
A: We encourage you to ask your donors to send checks to you, so that you can record the donations on your Sponsor Form.  You will then send donations to the AIDS Walk office yourself, clearly marked with your name so they can be credited to your fundraising total. However, if checks are sent directly to the AIDS Walk office to sponsor you, we do keep a record of the name of the donor, the dollar amount, and date the donation was received. Please call us to request that information.

Q: When will the website be updated with the donations I turned in on the day of the AIDS Walk?
A: While credit card donations made through the website will automatically appear on a walker’s personal Web page, we are not able to update the website with cash, checks, and matching gift donations.  Walkers are encouraged to update their fundraising Web pages by logging in and choosing the “Enter Offline Donations” option in the upper right-hand side of the screen.  Simply follow the prompts to enter the information for each cash, check, or matching gift donation received. If you are a Team Leader you will be receive a Final Team Roster via e-mail which will list all Team Members and their fundraising totals, both off-line (checks, cash, and matching gift forms) and credit card donations.

Q: I sponsored a walker online and it is not showing up on their page. What happened?
A: If the donation has cleared from your credit card then you may have accidentally made the donation under the General Donation Fund instead of made the donation to sponsor a specific walker.  Check your confirmation e-mail; under your contribution amount you will see either the name of the walker that you attempted to sponsor or you will see “AIDS Walk Los Angeles”.  If you see “AIDS Walk Los Angeles” then the donation was made to the General Donation Fund and you can e-mail or call us at awlainfo@aidswalk.net / (213) 201-WALK (9255) so that we can transfer the donation to the walker that you would like to sponsor.

Q: The total I see for myself or my Team Members on the Team Roster I received in the e-mail is not correct. What happened?
A: See above regarding credit card donations accidentally made as a general donation.  Another reason for the discrepancy may be that sometimes when a donor sends in a check to the AIDS Walk Los Angeles office they do not designate whom they would like to sponsor.  When this happens we allocate their donation into our general AIDS Walk donation fund.  Please call the AIDS Walk office at (213) 201-WALK (9255) and we will do our very best to match your records with the donations we have received in our office for you.

Q: When will final team totals and the 2010 Gold Team list be announced?
A: Gold Teams are the top 20 fundraising teams.  The deadline to turn in money to be counted toward your team total and individual totals was Friday, November 13 at 5:00 p.m.  Final team totals and the 2010 Gold Teams list will be announced in late November.

Q: How can I get my donors receipts?
A: AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) will automatically send a receipt for any check that is $100 or more. You can use your cancelled check or your credit card confirmation e-mail as a receipt as well. If one of your donors would like a receipt for a cash donation, or a check donation under $100, please call our office at (213) 201-WALK (9255) and ask for Bert Champagne. He will mail your donor a receipt.

Q: Where can I buy more of those delicious snacks and beverages that I tried at the AIDS Walk?
A: Click here to view our 2009 In-Kind Sponsors and get more information on the products that these companies generously donated to the AIDS Walk.

Q: How can my company become a sponsor or donate products to AIDS Walk 2010?
A: Click here to read more about joining our family of corporate sponsors.  You may also contact our AIDS Walk Sponsorship Manager, Brent Colby, for more information: brentc@aidswalk.net

Q: I did not receive my certificate of completion at the AIDS Walk. Can it be sent to me?
A: For walkers that did not receive a certificate of completion, please call the AIDS Walk office at (213) 201-WALK (9255) and ask for one to be sent to you. We can send only one per walker.

Q: How can I get my community service paperwork signed?
A: Call the AIDS Walk office at (213) 201-WALK (9255) and tell us the volunteer shift you completed. Once we verify your participation, we can send a letter confirming your community service.

Q: When can I register for AIDS Walk 2010?
A: Our website will ready for team and individual registrations in June 2010.

Q: When do volunteer opportunities begin for AIDS Walk 2010?
A: Typically, we have regular in-office volunteer opportunities starting in July. Please call our office at (213) 201-WALK (9255) for more information.

Q: HOW DO I OBTAIN OR RESET MY HQ PASSWORD?
A: If you need to obtain or reset it, just follow this link and enter either your email address or username. If you do not have this information, please e-mail us at awlainfo@aidswalk.net for further assistance.

Q: WHERE/WHEN DOES AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES TAKE PLACE?
A: The 25th Annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles will take place on Sunday, October 18, 2009 in beautiful West Hollywood. The AIDS Walk begins and ends in West Hollywood Park at San Vicente Boulevard, between Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard. Walkers should enter the venue at the intersection of San Vicente Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard to turn in their funds. Day-of-Event Map & Directions.

Q: HOW LONG IS AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES?
A: It is 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and takes roughly 2-3 hours to complete.

Q: SHOULD WALKERS USE THEIR HOME OR WORK ADDRESS TO REGISTER?
A: All walkers should register using their home address. If you must use your office address, make sure you put your company name as often times the post office will return mail sent to an individual at a business address. Providing more than one address will result in a duplicate registration.

Q: IS THERE A MINIMUM AMOUNT I SHOULD RAISE FOR AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES?
A: AIDS Walk Los Angeles does not require walkers to raise a minimum amount of money. However, we encourage everyone to set a fundraising goal and do their best to achieve it. Additionally, fundraising walkers for AIDS Walk Los Angeles are eligible for several Incentive Awards.

Q: WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
A: The money raised by AIDS Walk Los Angeles supports the services provided by AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and other local AIDS Service Organizations throughout Los Angeles County.

Q: TO WHOM SHOULD DONATION CHECKS BE MADE OUT TO?
A: Please make checks payable to AIDS Walk Los Angeles or AWLA.

Q: WHERE DO I MAIL DONATIONS?
A:  AIDS Walk Los Angeles. PO Box 933005. Los Angeles, CA 90093-3005.
 *PLEASE clearly include the name of whom you are sponsoring on the check or on a separate piece of paper, otherwise your donation could be credited as a general donation.

Q: I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE FUNDRAISING FOR AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES ON THE STREET.  SHOULD I DONATE TO SOMEONE I DO NOT KNOW WHO IS COLLECTING DONATIONS ON THE STREET, IN PUBLIC SPACES, OR EVEN DOOR-TO-DOOR?
A: No; we strongly discourage our participants from collecting donations in public spaces such as street corners, public transportation, street festivals, and door-to-door to businesses.  We advise you not to give donations (cash, checks, or credit card information) to someone you do not know who is soliciting for donations in these settings.  Please contact the AIDS Walk Los Angeles office for more information, or if you feel someone is collecting funds in an unsafe or unendorsed manner.

Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO TO START RAISING FUNDS FOR AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES?
A: A few simple suggestions to get started with your fundraising can be found below. For more fundraising ideas contact the AIDS Walk Los Angeles office at (213) 201-9255.
  
 Set up your Team or Individual Fundraising Web Page. Then send out an e-mail to friends, family members, and coworkers.  Each e-mail sent from your Web page contains a link to sponsor you online with a credit card.
  
Matching Gift Programs. Many corporate organizations have corporate giving programs that match the contributions their employees give  to a charitable organization. By utilizing the matching gift programs of your employer or your family and friends' employers, you can quickly  double or triple your fundraising dollars.
  
Host a Fundraising Party. Ask a local bar or restaurant to donate their space for a happy hour or fundraising dinner party.  Charge a flat admission or suggest a donation. Plan a raffle, contest, or drink special to make the night exciting!
  
Awards, Premiums, and Incentives! Give your Team Members an incentive to sign up, raise money, and walk. Ask a vendor  or local  merchant to contribute to your team by providing an incentive prize or two. Award the Team Member who raises the most money  for AIDS Walk Los Angeles.

Q: WHAT ARE MATCHING GIFT PROGRAMS?
A: Matching Gift Programs are established by many companies with the intention of supporting nonprofit organizations by "matching" contributions made by their employees. Ask your human resources representative about your employer's corporate giving policies and whether they have a matching gift program.

Q: WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY OF AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES?
A: 8:30 a.m. - Sign-In Opens
    9:15 a.m. - Aerobic Workout
    9:30 a.m. - Opening Ceremony Begins
    10:00 a.m. - Walk Begins!

Q: WHAT IS THE STAR WALKERS CLUB?
A: The Star Walkers Club is made up of walkers who set a goal of raising $1,000 or more for AIDS Walk Los Angeles. Star Walkers who achieve their goal will receive additional incentive prizes and a Star Pass on the day of the AIDS Walk. With the Star Pass, Star Walkers will be granted access to the Star Walker Breakfast.

TEAM INFORMATION

Q: WHAT IS A TEAM?
A: Teams are comprised of walkers representing a variety of companies, schools, churches, or organizations in the Los Angeles Area. There are also many friends and family teams that participate, some of whom walk in memory of those they have lost. Teams can range in size from two to more than 1,000 walkers.
 
Q: WHAT IS A TEAM MEETING STATION?
A: A Team Meeting Station is a designated area for Team Members to meet up on the day of AIDS Walk Los Angeles. Team Meeting Stations are arranged alphabetically in West Hollywood Park. Many Team Leaders decorate their meeting stations with balloons and banners, in addition to bringing T-shirts and breakfast items for their team.  To qualify for a Team Meeting Station on the day of the AIDS Walk, your team must have 25 or more walkers pre-registered by the deadline of Wednesday, October 7 at noon. For more ideas on fun event ideas for a team, contact the AIDS Walk Los Angeles office at (213) 201-WALK (9255).

Q: WHAT ARE GOLD TEAMS?
A: Gold Teams are the top 20 fundraising teams, announced annually. Last year, this elite group collectively raised nearly one quarter of the event total. In recognition of their outstanding efforts, Gold Teams have a separate Sign-In Area, as well as a team photo taken on the day of the event.

Q: WHAT ARE A TEAM LEADER'S RESPONSIBILITIES?
A: A Team Leader's role is to recruit, inspire, and motivate people to register as well as raise funds. In order to promote team participation, a Team Leader's first task is to distribute materials to all potential walkers as quickly as possible. After walkers begin to register, following up is the key to fundraising success.
 
Q: HOW DO I GET AN UPDATED TEAM LIST?
A: Team Rosters are always available on your team Web page. Click here to see the list of 2008 Registered Teams. Click on your team name to view your team's Web page and see the list of people currently registered on your team. Simply visit www.aidswalk.net/losangeles. Click on "MY HQ" to log in and view the participants on your team. You may also call your Team Coordinator to request a Team Roster.

Q: HOW CAN I PROMOTE AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES TO POTENTIAL TEAM MEMBERS?
A: We suggest doing one or all of the following:
Set up your team Web page and send out an e-mail to recruit team members. Remember, anyone can join your team. Ask family, friends, or invite vendors, clients, and customers to raise money and walk with your team.
Put up the point-of-purchase stands and posters (provided by AIDS Walk) in cafeterias, near elevators, on community bulletin boards, etc.
Form an AIDS Walk Los Angeles Committee. Encourage some coworkers to become co-leaders. Ask senior management to write an appeal to all employees urging them to register.
Hold an AIDS Awareness Day with a kick-off luncheon or brunch. Sign up Team Members at a registration table. An AIDS Walk representative can attend your event and help make it a success!

Q: IF SOMEONE REGISTERED FOR THE AIDS WALK AS AN INDIVIDUAL, CAN THEY STILL JOIN A TEAM?
A: Pre-registered walkers can still be part of your team. Simply call the AIDS Walk office at (213) 201-9255 with the walker's name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (if available) and ask to have them transferred.

Q: WHAT IF SOMEONE WANTS TO JOIN A TEAM AFTER THE DEADLINE ?
A: walkers may still become part of a team after the pre-registration deadline of Wednesday, October 7. However, they will not appear on the Team Roster you will find at your Team Meeting Station on the day of the AIDS Walk. Walkers may transfer to a team using the Team Transfer Sheets at the Team Meeting Station or at the Team Information Booth on the day of the AIDS Walk, Sunday, October 18. Simply write their name, address, phone number, and e-mail address in the appropriate fields on the Team Transfer Form and leave it with an AIDS Walk representative at Team Information. In the weeks following the AIDS Walk, Team Rosters will be updated with new walker names and contributions. A final list will be mailed to all Team Leaders in November.

Q: HOW ELSE CAN I SUPPORT AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES?
A: There are many opportunities for your team to get involved in AIDS Walk Los Angeles, from becoming a Sponsor, to making an in kind donation, to Volunteering. If you would like to find out more about any or all of these options, please contact the AIDS Walk Los Angeles office at (213) 201-9255.

WEBSITE INFORMATION

Q: HOW DO I GET A USERNAME AND PASSWORD FOR MY PERSONAL HQ?
A: E-mail us at awlainfo@aidswalk.net with your contact information. We will e-mail you a username and password. You may also click the link to My Fundraising Page, and then click Forgot Username and/or Password?. You will be prompted to enter your e-mail address and you will be e-mailed your login information.

Q: WHAT IS KINTERA?
A: Kintera is an online service provider offering Internet fundraising solutions to charitable organizations. Through the website you can register for the event, collect donations from family and friends, and more.
 
Q: HOW DO I REGISTER FOR AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES 2009 ONLINE?
A: Click on Register Now! and complete the form. You will be guided through the registration process. Once your transaction is complete, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from awlainfo@aidswalk.net. This e-mail will contain your username and password that you have selected...*If you register by phone, mail, or fax and provide us with an e-mail address, you will receive a system generated username and password via e-mail. Please use this to access your personal fundraising page. Once logged in you can create your own username and password, as well as design your page.
 
Q: WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THIS WEBSITE?
A: This website is unique because it offers the capability for individuals to not only register for the event, but also to collect donations from their friends and family through a much more efficient mechanism. AIDS Walk Los Angeles staff and event participants can track the progress of donation collections through viewing secured online reports.
 
Q: IS MY INFORMATION SECURE?
A: Yes. Kintera has made every effort to protect your information. We use industry-standard SSL encryption techniques to make sure that your credit card information, passwords, and personal information travel securely over the Internet. We have also installed an encryption engine on our database server so that your data is securely stored.

Q: HOW CAN FRIENDS AND FAMILY FIND MY INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISING WEB PAGE TO MAKE A DONATION?.A: When you send an e-mail from "My HQ", the link to your individual fundraising Web page will automatically be included in the bottom of the e-mail. Also, on the home page of the website, friends and family can locate a participant by clicking on the "Sponsor Participant" link. By typing in the name of the participant, they will be directed to the participant's individual fundraising Web page.

Q: WHY IS THE "SPONSOR PARTICIPANT" SEARCH NOT FINDING A PARTICIPANT THAT I KNOW HAS REGISTERED?
A: While they are not case sensitive, you must type in the exact spelling of the first or last name of the person you're looking for. If you continue to have a problem locating a participant that you are sure has registered, please contact us at awlainfo@aidswalk.net.

Q: HOW CAN I SEE WHO HAS DONATED TO ME?
A: Go to the My Fundraising Page link on the site. Use the username and password that we e-mailed to you when you registered for the event. You can then view your donation report and the amounts that have been donated.

Q: WHY AREN'T THE CASH AND CHECK CONTRIBUTIONS I'VE RAISED SHOWING UP ON MY PERSONAL FUNDRAISING WEB PAGE?
A: While credit card donations made through the website will automatically appear on a walker’s personal Web page, AIDS Walk simply doesn’t have the staff available to update each individual Web page with every check and cash contribution received. walkers can update their Fundraising Web pages by logging in and choosing the “Enter Offline Donations” option in the upper right-hand side of the screen. Simply follow the prompts to enter the information for each cash or check donation received.
 
Q: WILL KINTERA PUT MY NAME ON VARIOUS MAILING LISTS?
A: Kintera, Inc. collects and maintains only personal information that is voluntarily submitted to us. We will only share personally identifiable information with a third party if and when the individual submitting this information has permitted us to do so, or if we are required to do so by law. For more information, please read our Privacy Policy. AIDS Walk Los Angeles  will also maintain a copy of your information.
 
Q: WHY IS THERE A $25 MINIMUM FOR ALL ONLINE CREDIT CARD DONATION?
A: Due to credit card processing fees that we are charged by each credit card company, we are forced to have a minimum transaction amount for online credit card transactions. If you wish to use your credit card for less than $25, simply fill out your credit card information on the bottom of your sponsor form in the credit card section..If a sponsor wants to donate less than $25, have a few people combine their donations, and have one person deposit those donations into their bank account, and use his or her credit card to donate online. That way, it will be possible to list everyone's name on the Web page. If that is not possible, checks and money orders in any amount are always greatly appreciated! You can mail those to us, and make sure that the AIDS Walker's name is on the check, so we know who gets the credit. Everything helps, so don't let the credit card minimum discourage you.

Q: WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE A QUESTION THAT IS NOT ANSWERED HERE?
A: Call the AIDS Walk Los Angeles office at (213) 201-9255 or e-mail awlainfo@aidswalk.net. An AIDS Walk Los Angeles staff member is always available to assist you.