If an event has a suggested donation, do you consider it to be a free event?

In general events that have a suggested donation are supporting a cause and run off of donations. At least that is what I've found. It is sort of free because you don't have to make the suggested donation to enter. However when the suggestion is posted people feel obligated to donate. So maybe it is not free after all.

I would like to see these types of events be listed on your blog. Donating to a good cause is much different that paying an entrance fee that fattens a "for-profit" purse. And for those who can't afford the "suggested donation", they can enter guilt free. Many people will enter and pay more than the suggested donation to cover those who simply can't afford it:).

When encountering a "suggested donation" entrance fee, I feel that there is pressure to pay the amount suggested. Do people really go in (hassel-or guilt-free) without paying anything? I've been denied entrance before because of not being able to pay the "suggested donation". I guess it depends upon who's working the door.

I would definitely love to see these events listed on your blog, specially when the funds are going towards a good cause.

I like seeing suggested donations events in your blog. While some might feel obligated to contribute therefore not technically seeing it as "free", the donations are generally very minimal.
When I was at Sand in the City this weekend I noticed different entrances seemed to have different types of people working them. One entrance I noticed had a man that almost looked like a bouncer collecting donations while at another entrance there were just a couple of friendly faces welcoming people telling them that the donation was optional if they hesitated before going in.

I'm loving your blog! Please share the
suggested donation opportunities, but just be sure to mention that there is a suggested donation. That should work fine for most.

I voted that it's not a free event, but I would still like to see events like this included in your blog if it could include the suggested donation.

I don't consider an event that is listed: "donation of $__ suggested" to be a free event. Rarely to people to enter and not give the donation (as expected). Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with a suggested donatation. I know how important donations are, seeing that I am an event planner at a non-profit. I still would like to be informed that "donation"event is happening. Perhaps there could be 2 categories of events listed. One that is free and another that is "suggested donation". Just a thought!

I see two solutions to this. one, you pay on the way OUT. as in, this event was worth this much to me and my family. Or, at the entrance to the event, you barter. if the event suggests a $10 donation, you can offer $5, or what you think the event might be worth upon entering.

I voted "no" and will not likely go to an event advertised with a suggested donation because of the feeling of obligation. It's a big difference between advertising as a free event, where I'm more likely to go without thinking twice.