2. Finance Plan
Your financial plan should consist of four parts:
Summary – List fundraising programs
Narrative – a detailed description of each program
Calendar – event dates, literature drops and deadlines
Job Descriptions – should be written for each member of
fundraising team
3. Finance Committee
Appoint a Finance Committee that will be
responsible for planning and orchestrating a
successful fundraising plan.
The head of your Finance Committee should be:
an individual with a high profile in the community
Organized
has the ability to implement the finance plan and solicit
donors.
4. Why People Give
Access - Challengers don’t have it
Ideology – Strong believers in conservative
principles or fearful of liberal agenda
Peer Influence – People who know and like you
5. How do I get donors to give
me money?
ASK THEM!
Regardless of how the request is made, remember to convey three things to
all donors:
Urgency: A donation is needed as soon as possible
Specificity: Outline how the Committee spends its money. It is
important to demonstrate that the committee has its spending
priorities in place
Electability: Tell them why you can win if you have the proper
funding
6. Donor Groups
One Size Does Not Fit All
Friends and Family
Ideologues
Major Donors
Direct Mail Donors
Clubs/Committees
PACs
7. Where Do I Find Potential
Donors?
Friends and Family
The Rolodex Strategy:
Groups where you will have the most success:
Family, colleagues and friends
Business Associates
Social Clubs
Country Clubs
Church
Vendors (if applicable)
College Alumni Lists
8. Where Do I Find Potential
Donors?
Ideologues
Previous donors to Republican candidates, PACs, and causes
Note: Committees can legally obtain lists of donors to Massachusetts
state candidates and committees at the Office of Campaign and
Political Finance
www.state.ma.us/ocpf
Professional Organization Member lists (AMA, Chambers, NFIB,
NRA)
Petition Signers (Tax Rollback, Marriage Amendment, Local Petitions)
VoterVault!
9. Major Donors
Important part of your effort to raise capital
Recruited through personal solicitation of:
Town Committee Chairman
Finance Chairman
Local Republican elected officials
10. Major Donors
Establish levels of club Target individuals to be new
membership: major donors.
Local business owners
Active Members $50
Silver Elephants $100 Major donors to Republican
Golden Elephants $500 candidates
Diamond Elephants $1,000 Current donors who could
move up to a higher level
Try to find some connection between a member of the Finance
Committee and the prospective major donor
Set up a meeting where you outline the campaigns goals and plan for
attaining them
Demonstrate the impact their contribution will make on the campaign’s
political operations
11. Successful Solicitation of Major
Donors:
Sell Yourself!
Be optimistic, sincere and excited about the campaign
An investment in a better future based on his/her values &
ideals
Be Flexible. Close the deal when you sense the person is
ready
Look at the situation from the potential donor’s point of
view
Communicate on their level
Tell them how the money will be used
Ask for names of other people who might be interested in
involvement
12. Major Donors
Make these donors a part of your campaign
Keep them informed of your progress and
activities
Solicit their input throughout the campaign
These donors can help you expand your
rolodex network
13. Fundraising Letters
Who Should be Mailed?
List of local active donors compiled by the Committee
Acquired lists
Registered Republicans in your community
Targeted groups – use VoterVault for this
Who Should Sign It?
Candidate
Local Republican elected official
Content
Why are you running?
What is planned for the coming election cycle?
Urgent PS:
Watch your spelling/grammar!
14. Events
Special events
Raise money
Increase awareness
Build excitement
Establish a realistic target figure to be raised (after
expenses) and work backward from there.
Secure a speaker for your event
Where possible, look to utilize donated space and
resources.
15. Groups and PACs
Solicit Donations From:
Town Committees
Like Minded Political Action Committees (PACS) i.e.
NFIB, NRA, GOAL, CLT
Approach these groups as you would Major Donors
16. DO NOT:
Over-sympathize with your prospect. Never
begin with, “I know it’s a lot to ask, but…”
Leave without a firm commitment or a check
in hand.
17. Campaign Finance Rules
The Massachusetts Office of Campaign & Political Finance
(OCPF) is the body that regulates your committee’s financial
activities.
They exist to assist Party committees, PACs, and candidates in
adhering to the finance laws that the legislature enacts.
Resources are readily available for you to stay in compliance
with campaign finance laws.
Visit their website at: www.state.ma.us/ocpf for more details.
18. Some Quick Points:
Government employees may neither solicit donations, nor
may their name ever appear on an invitation for a
fundraising event - not even if donations are merely
“suggested.”
A donor may contribute up to $500 to a local candidate
committee
You must report the name and address of every contributor
whose annual contributions are more then $50.
You must report the employer & occupation for every
contributor whose annual contributions are more then
$200.