The Mother’s Milk: Fundraising & Budget Jennifer Kelly Political Affairs Credit Union National Association

Developing a Fundraising Plan The 5 Main Categories: The law! Budget Plan The ASK Donors Events

Know The Campaign Finance Laws! Permissible sources of contributions Individuals, corporations, PACs, etc. Contribution limits Filing requirements In-kind rules, disclaimers, etc.

How Much Do You Need? Write a budget Plan for Contingencies $3K-5K, City Council Race $$8-10K, State Legislature $12-15K, State Senate $1,689,580, US House Seat Plan for Contingencies High Budget/Low Budget

How Much Do You Need?

When Do You Need It? Put your budget on a timeline/Calendar -to develop a cash flow budget Develop fundraising strategy and goal for each day, week & month Line up fundraising plan with expenses-Keep Costs down!

Developing a Finance Plan

Developing a Finance Plan

Personal Solicitation: The Ask Your message! Ask for a specific dollar amount! If yes, ask to raise If no, negotiate Avoid “maybe” as an answer

FUNDRASING “ASK” TIPS Commit Prepare Mentally Devote time Many candidates are qualified to serve in office, but end up losing because they aren’t good fundraisers.

Answer these questions: Why are you running? Why are you better than your opponent? How do you plan to win? How will you spend donor’s money? How much should they give? What support do you have?

Following Up on the Pledge Get check in hand or firm commitment. Send pledge follow-up if appropriate. Use deadlines. Don’t forget to report the contribution. Thank contributor within 72 Hours. Re-solicit.

Surrogates: Let Others Help Must agree to give themselves and raise!!! Set clear, specific goals. “Finance Committee” v. individual efforts. Help your surrogates and volunteers reach their goals.

Going Back to the Well: Re-solicitation Previous donors = best source of cash Resolicit every donor by email at least once every six weeks Use email as deadlines approach Resolicit high-level donors personally or via surrogates Accurate record-keeping is crucial

Identify Your Donors Candidate, family and friends Power of the office Ex: unions, businesses, trades, coalitions Ideology Ex: guns, taxes, environment Ax to grind Hate your opponent

Putting Donors on Your Plan For each circle, list everyone you know Assign a dollar target to each name Rank donors by dollar amount & proximity to center Start dialing for dollars!

Making Events Work Provide hosts a check list & legal guidelines. Set ticket price & money/attendance goals and levels. Invite, invite, invite – no list is too big! Follow up– calls, emails, etc. Outside of The Box Events. No caviar – keep overhead low!

Small Dollar Fundraising Direct Mail High initial cost Email/Internet Telemarketing/Phone Banking Paid v. Volunteer House Parties / “Pass the Hat” Carefully Weigh Time & Cost Involved

Online Fundraising Donate links everywhere! ActBlue.com for Democrats PayPal, Google, etc. Use social media

Some Final Thoughts Fundraising is hard – don’t get discouraged. Fundraising Success= Hard work Determination Political viability And, finally, don’t forget….

Fundraising is a three-letter word: Ask!

Questions? Jennifer Kelly Political Programs Manager, Political Affairs Credit Union National Association 202-508-6725 jkelly@cuna.coop