Frequently Asked Questions
POST WALK Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I still turn in donations?
A: Yes! You can continue to receive online donations on your personal fundraising Web page
until Friday, August 13, 2010. 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, August 13.
Donations can be mailed to*:
AIDS Walk San Francisco
P.O. Box 193920
San Francisco, CA 94119-3920
*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 Fundraising 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 August 13. In order to save money on postage, we encourage you to visit the AIDS Walk office to pick up your awards at the end of August. The AIDS Walk San Francisco office
is located at 121 Second Street, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Call our office at (415) 615-WALK (9255) with any questions. We will not be mailing awards this year unless explicitly requested.
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 San Francisco
P.O. Box 193920
San Francisco, CA 94119-3920
You can also donate online at aidswalk.net/sanfran
Please see above information regarding collecting 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: No, unfortunately we cannot provide you with a list of each individual who sent in a check for you. We can, however, tell you the total amount of cash and checks that we have received in the office for you. If you would like to have a record of each person who donated to you, next year consider asking your donors to send checks to you, so that you can record the donation on your Sponsor Form, and then send them to the AIDS Walk office, clearly marked to be credited to your fundraising total.
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 will not update the website with offline (check, cash, and matching gift forms) donations. 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. If you are a Team Leader you will be receiving a Team Roster via e-mail near the end of August 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 made the donation as a general donation. Check your confirmation e-mail; under your contribution you will see either the name of the walker that you attempted to sponsor or just "AIDS Walk San Francisco". If you see "AIDS Walk San Francisco" then the donation was made as a general donation and you can e-mail us at awsfteams@aidswalk.net or call us at (415) 615-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 San Francisco office they do not designate whom they would like to sponsor. When this happens we allocate their donation as an AIDS Walk general donation. Please call the AIDS Walk office at (415) 615-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 is Friday, August 13 at 5:00 p.m. Final team totals and the 2011 Gold Teams list will be announced in late August.
Q: How can I get my donors receipts?
A: The San Francisco AIDS Foundation will automatically send a receipt for any check that is $250 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 $250, please call our office at (415) 615-WALK (9255). We 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 2010 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 2011?
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: How can I get my community service paperwork signed for the hours I volunteered at the AIDS Walk?
A: Call the AIDS Walk office at (415) 615-WALK (9255) and tell us which 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 2011?
A: Our website will be ready for team and individual registrations in March 2011.
Q: When do volunteer opportunities begin for AIDS Walk 2011?
A: We will have regular in-office volunteer opportunities starting in April 2011. Please call our office at (415) 615-WALK (9255) for more information.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Q: WHERE/WHEN DOES AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO TAKE PLACE?
A: AIDS Walk San Francisco will take place on Sunday, July 18, 2010. The AIDS Walk begins and ends in Golden Gate Park at Sharon Meadow. Walkers should enter the venue at the
intersection of Haight Street and Stanyan Boulevard to turn in their funds. Day-of-Event Map & Directions
Q: HOW LONG IS AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO?
A: It is 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and takes roughly 2-3 hours to complete.
Q: WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR THE DAY OF AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO?
A:
9 a.m. Sign-In opens in Mother's Meadow. Walkers turn in donations, pick up fundraising awards, and receive their official 2010 AIDS Walk San Francisco walker button and AIDS Walk
Guide.
9:30 a.m. Aerobic Warm-Up
9:45 a.m. Opening Ceremony in Sharon Meadow. Live from the stage: community leaders, musical guests, and celebrity speakers
10:30 a.m. AIDS Walk begins!
12:30 p.m. Post-Walk concert and family entertainment in Sharon Meadow with live music and the announcement of the fundraising total for AIDS Walk San Francisco 2010! The KidZone features
a bounce house, face painting, and free carousel rides!
Q: WHERE DO I SIGN IN?
A: Sign-In is just inside Golden Gate Park, in Mother's Meadow, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Q: WILL THERE BE SECURE BIKE PARKING AVAILABLE?
A: Yes! There will be a secure place to store your bike on the day of the AIDS Walk, monitored by volunteers. Bike parking is located on Hippie Hill in Sharon Meadow.
Q: WILL REFRESHMENTS BE AVAILABLE AT AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO? WHAT ABOUT RESTROOMS?
A: Water and a variety of snacks will be provided free of charge at the venue and at the designated checkpoints located throughout the route of AIDS Walk San Francisco. Portable toilets
will also be available at the venue and throughout the route.
Q: HOW CAN MY COMPANY BECOME A SPONSOR OR DONATE PRODUCTS TO AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO?
A: Please contact our Sponsorship and Communications Manager, Brent Colby at brentc@aidswalk.net.
Q: WHEN DO VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES BEGIN FOR AIDS WALK 2010?
A: Typically we have volunteer opportunities starting in the AIDS Walk office starting in April 2010. For information about how to volunteer at the AIDS Walk itself, please go to the Volunteer
Information page on our website. You may also call (415) 615- WALK (9255) or e-mail sfvols@aidswalk.net for more information.
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.
FUNDRAISING INFORMATION
Q: WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
A: The money raised by AIDS Walk San Francisco supports the services provided by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF), in addition to other benefiting organizations representing the entire
spectrum of HIV/AIDS services.
Q: IS THERE A MINIMUM AMOUNT I SHOULD RAISE FOR AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO?
A: AIDS Walk San Francisco 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 San Francisco are eligible for several incentive awards.
o $150 or more - AIDS Walk T-shirt.
o $250 or more - AIDS Walk Award Item TBD and T-shirt.
o $500 or more - AIDS Walk Award Items TBD, and T-shirt.
o $1000 or more --Join the Star Walkers Club by calling (415) 615-WALK (9255); then set a goal to raise over $1,000. You'll earn all of the award items, including the special Star Walker
Award and Pin. You will also be invited to the Hospitality Breakfast on the morning of the AIDS Walk, and you will receive your fundraising royalty crown to wear during AIDS Walk San
Francisco!
Q: TO WHOM DO I MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE, AND WHERE DO I SEND THEM?
A: All checks can be made payable to AIDS Walk San Francisco or AWSF and may be mailed to:
AIDS Walk San Francisco.
P.O. Box 193920
San Francisco, CA 94119-3920
*If a walker is to be credited for the donation, please be sure to include the walkers name along with your check! Also, please be sure to inform your walkers that you've supported
them.
Remember, all donations to AIDS Walk San Francisco are tax deductible.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO TO START RAISING FUNDS FOR AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO?
A: A few simple suggestions to get started with your fundraising are listed below. For more fundraising ideas, contact the AIDS Walk San Francisco office at (415) 615-WALK (9255).
o Set up your fundraising Web page, then send an e-mail to friends, family members, and co-workers. Each e-mail sent from your Web page contains a link that your sponsors can click on to
sponsor you online with a credit card.
o 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.
o 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 fun!
o Include AIDS Walk information as part of your e-mail signature. Include a link to your AIDS Walk Web page in your signature. Each time you send a message, the recipient will be
provided with a reminder to sponsor you.
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. To find out if your employer, or your sponsor's employers, have a
matching gift policy; please use our matching gift search engine.
Q: WHY IS THERE A $25 MINIMUM REQUIRED FOR ONLINE DONATIONS?
A: Due to credit card transaction fees, a $25 minimum is required for all contributions made online. If you would like to make a credit card donation for less than $25, simply fill out
your credit card information on the bottom of your sponsor form in the credit card section. You may also call our office at (415) 615-WALK (9255) and we can process a secure credit card
donation for any amount over the phone. Additionally, the AIDS Walk is happy to accept donations in cash or by check for any amount.
Q: WHY ARE THE CASH AND CHECK CONTRIBUTIONS I'VE RAISED NOT SHOWING UP ON MY FUNDRAISING WEB PAGE?
A: While credit card donations made through the website will automatically appear on a walker's personal Web page, the AIDS Walk does not 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: I'M HAVING TROUBLE LOGGING IN TO MY PERSONAL FUNDRAISING WEB PAGE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
A: Keep in mind that your username and password are case-sensitive. To check your username and password go to "My Fundraising Page" and click the link "Forgot Username and Password" and
your password will be sent to you via the e-mail address you registered with. If you still are experiencing trouble logging in, please contact the AIDS Walk office at sfinfo@aidswalk.net.
Q: WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR MONEY TO BE TURNED IN FOR INCENTIVE AWARDS OR TO BE CREDITED TO A TEAM?
A: Contributions (including corporate matching gifts) must be received by the AIDS Walk San Francisco office before 5 p.m. on Friday, August 13 to count toward incentive awards or team totals.
We will still gladly accept contributions after that date, but they cannot be credited to specific individuals or teams.
Q: I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE FUNDRAISING FOR AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO 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 San Francisco office for more information, or if you feel someone is collecting funds in an unsafe or unendorsed manner.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE A QUESTION THAT IS NOT ANSWERED HERE?
A: Call the AIDS Walk San Francisco office at (415) 615-WALK (9255) or e-mail sfinfo@aidswalk.net. An AIDS Walk San Francisco staff member is
always available to assist you.
TEAMS INFORMATION:
Q: WHAT IS A TEAM?
A: Teams are comprised of walkers representing a variety of companies, schools, churches, or organizations from all over the San Francisco Bay Area. There are also many friends and family
teams that participate, some of whom walk in memory of those they have lost or in support of those living with HIV/AIDS. Teams can range in size from two to more than 1,500 walkers.
Any team that registers 25 or more walkers by Wednesday, July 7, at noon, qualifies for a Team Meeting Station at AIDS Walk San Francisco.
Q: WHAT IS A TEAM MEETING STATION?
A: A Team Meeting Station is a designated area for team members to meet on the day of AIDS Walk San Francisco. Team Meeting Stations are arranged alphabetically throughout Sharon
Meadow. Many Team Leaders arrange a meeting time and provide T-shirts and breakfast for their team. For more suggestions on fun event ideas for a team, contact the AIDS Walk San
Francisco office.
Q: WHAT ARE GOLD TEAMS?
A: Gold Teams are the top 20 fundraising teams, announced annually. Last year, this elite group raised a collective total of nearly $1.1 million. In recognition of their outstanding
efforts, Gold Teams have a separate sign-in area, large table space, and a team photo taken on the day of the event. Click here to see this year's Gold Teams.
Q: WHAT ARE A TEAM LEADER'S RESPONSIBILITIES?
A: A Team Leader's role is to recruit, inspire, and motivate people to register and 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 CAN I PROMOTE AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO TO POTENTIAL TEAM MEMBERS?
A: We suggest doing one or all of the following:
o 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.
o Put up the point-of-purchase stands and posters (provided by the AIDS Walk) in cafeterias, near elevators, on community bulletin boards, etc.
o Form an AIDS Walk San Francisco Committee. Enlist co-leaders and senior management to write an appeal to all employees urging them to register.
oHold 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: HOW DO I SET UP MY AIDS WALK TEAM WEB PAGE?
A: Setting up your AIDS Walk Web page is easy! Visit http://www.aidswalk.net/sanfran and click on "My Fundraising Page." Enter your
username and password (contact your Team Coordinator if you do not know your username or password). Once you log in, you can customize your Web page, send out team recruitment e-mails,
set team goals, change your password, and talk with other Team Leaders on our bulletin board! As the days go by, you can monitor the success of your team by checking fundraising
statistics and obtaining donation and team recruitment reports.
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 2010 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. Or simply visit aidswalk.net/sanfran. 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: 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 (415) 615- WALK (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, July 7. However, their names 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, July 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 e-mailed to all
Team Leaders in August.
Q: HOW ELSE CAN I SUPPORT AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO?
A: There are many opportunities for your team to get involved in AIDS Walk San Francisco, 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 San Francisco office at (415) 615-WALK (9255).
STAR WALKER CLUB INFO
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 San Francisco. Star Walkers who achieve their goal will receive additional incentive
prizes, including a limited-edition Star Walkers Club Pin, a Star Walkers Club Award Item, 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 Hospitality Tent and Breakfast.
WEBSITE INFO
Q: HOW DO I GET A USERNAME AND PASSWORD FOR MY PERSONAL HQ?
A: 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 log in
information. You may also e-mail us at SFinfo@aidswalk.net with your contact information. We will e-mail you a username and password.
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: WHAT ARE THE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR MAKING AN ONLINE DONATION?
A: For best donation transaction navigation, we recommend using Internet Explorer. You can download the latest version by following this link.
Q: HOW DO I REGISTER FOR AIDS WALK SAN FRANCISCO 2010 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
SFinfo@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 San Francisco 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 are looking for. If you continue to have a problem locating a
participant that you are sure has registered, please contact us at SFinfo@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: I FORGOT MY USERNAME AND PASSWORD. HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHAT THEY ARE?
A: Remember that your username and password are case-sensitive. Click on the "Forgot your Username and/or Password" link and enter your e-mail address. You will receive an e-mail
with your username and password from customersupport@kintera.com. If you still have problems, please contact us by e-mailing us at
SFinfo@aidswalk.net, or call our office at (415) 615-WALK (9255).
Q: ALL OF MY DONORS ARE NOT SHOWING UP ON THE SCROLL MECHANISM. WHY?
A: As your donors make a contribution, they have the option of whether or not they want to appear in the recognition scroll.
Q: WHY ARE THE DROP-DOWN MENUS AND OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE WEBSITE NOT WORKING PROPERLY FOR ME?
A: If you use Microsoft Internet Explorer, you can download the latest application of Internet Explorer here for the best browsing experience on our site.
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 San
Francisco will also maintain a copy of your information.
Q: WHY IS THERE A $25 MINIMUM FOR ALL ONLINE CREDIT CARD DONATIONS?
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 call our office at (415) 615-WALK (9255). 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 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 San Francisco office at (415) 615-WALK (9255) or e-mail SFinfo@aidswalk.net. An AIDS Walk San Francisco staff member is
always available to assist you.