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

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

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

4. 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

5. How Much Do You Need?

6. 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!

7. Developing a Finance Plan

8. Developing a Finance Plan

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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?

12. 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.

13. 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.

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

15. 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

16. 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!

17. 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, s, etc.
Outside of The Box Events.
No caviar – keep overhead low!

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

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

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

21. Fundraising is a three-letter word:
Ask!

22. Questions?
Jennifer Kelly Political Programs Manager, Political Affairs Credit Union National Association