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Guide to Political Action Committees for Fundraising Success

Learn about the growing role of PACs, purpose of SNA PAC, fundraising strategies, solicitation rules, state affiliate and corporate member issues for effective political contributions.

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Guide to Political Action Committees for Fundraising Success

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  1. PAC 101 Stephen L. Lacey, Esq. Olsson, Frank and Weeda, P.C. (312)346-4842 slacey@ofwlaw.com

  2. Overview • Growing Role of PACs • Purpose of SNA PAC • Raising Money for SNA PAC • Solicitations • State Affiliate Issues • Corporate Member Issues

  3. Growing Role of PACs • Demand for political contributions from all sources continues to increase • 2002 cycle: campaigns raised $969.5 million • 2004 cycle: campaigns raised $1.206 billion • The 2004 cycle represents an increase of nearly $9.9 million per month • 2006 Election Cycle – numbers to date • $470.3 million raised in 2005 • A 20% increase over 2003 (first year of the last election cycle)

  4. Growing Role of PACs • 2005 Receipts For Top 5 Senate Campaigns • Clinton (D-NY) $21.4 million • $1.78 million per month • $58,630 per day • $2,443 per hour • Santorum (R-PA) $10.2 million • Nelson (D-FL) $7.5 million • Allen (R-VA) $6.8 million • Cantwell (D-WA) $6.88 million

  5. Growing Role of PACs

  6. Growing Role of PACs

  7. Purpose of SNA PAC • PAC contributions a necessary compliment lobbying activities • Allows SNA to thank supporters • Does not “buy” support • PAC Committee Makes Contribution Decisions • Also develops long term goals and fundraising strategy

  8. Raising Money For The PAC • Solicitation Rules • Defining a “Solicitation” • What is a solicitation • What is not a solicitation • State Affiliate Issues • Corporate Member Issues

  9. Solicitation Rules • SNA’s PAC is limited in who it can solicit for donations • At any time it may solicit: • Non-corporate members • With prior approval, executive and managerial employees of corporate members • Executive and managerial employees of the association • The families of these groups

  10. Solicitation Rules • Twice a year may solicit association’s non-executive/managerial employees • Cannot solicit a broad range of individuals and groups (other PACs, outside consultants, etc.) • Can accept unsolicited donations provided they are not from a prohibited source (e.g. foreign national, corporate funds, dead person, etc.)

  11. What Is a Solicitation • FEC takes a broad view – essentially any communication that encourages support: • Specific request for money • Publicly commending people that have contributed • Reminding people that the PAC can accept unsolicited contributions

  12. What Is Not A Solicitation • Communications that do not solicit, encourage, or facilitate contributions: • Announcing the existence of the PAC • Explaining the legal requirements that apply, such as who may contribute; • Providing factual information about a PAC’s activities, such as how much money raised, number and identity of recipients, etc. • FEC rule of thumb: anything available on its website is ok

  13. State Affiliate Issues • If you have or are considering establishing a PAC be careful and consider consulting an attorney when appropriate • State and federal election laws are often very different • If you have a state PAC it complicates, but does not prohibit, federal contributions

  14. State Affiliate Issues • If you want to collect money for the SNA PAC • Make sure you know FEC requirements and limitations before soliciting funds • Need to keep appropriate records of who contributes • Restrictions on depositing funds • Timeframes for forwarding funds • Record retention requirements

  15. Corporate Member Issues • SNA PAC needs prior approval to solicit contributions • Separate authorization required for each year • Authorization forms have been sent and are available from the SNA PAC

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