Donating Directly: Supporting Your Candidate Of Choice

Political campaigns rely on donations to fund their activities, and there are many ways to support a candidate. Individuals can donate to a candidate's committee, which is the official committee behind a specific candidate, or to a political action committee (PAC). There are limits to how much can be donated, and these vary depending on the type of committee. For example, an individual can give a PAC $5,000 per year, and a candidate committee up to $3,300 per election. Donors should be aware that credit card processing fees will be deducted from their donation, so it is recommended to consolidate smaller donations into one larger donation to reduce the fees. It is also important to be vigilant against scams and only donate via secure websites.

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Credit card fees

Credit cards are an easy way to make a payment, but donors should be aware that when they use their credit card to make a donation, a small piece of it is used to pay card processing fees. This means that not all of the money goes to the candidate. The recipient of the payment typically pays a processing fee of 2% to 3% of the amount paid, and there may also be a per-transaction fee. For example, PayPal charges a processing fee of 2.9%, plus $0.30 per transaction, while crowdfunding site Crowdpac charges 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction, with the fee paid by the donor.

If you want to ensure that the candidate receives the full amount of your donation, you can cut a check or make a direct bank transfer. However, credit cards have the advantage of being quick and easy, and they can also help you earn points, miles, or cash back.

If you do decide to donate by credit card, make sure you are visiting the candidate's official website and that the website is secure. Look for "HTTPS" in the URL (the extra "s" is for "secure") and a small lock icon on the address bar. This will help protect you from scams, which are unfortunately common in the world of political donations.

Limits on donations

Federal law in the US places limits on campaign contributions to candidates for president and Congress. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) enforces the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA), which limits the amount of money individuals and political organizations can give to a candidate running for federal office. The FEC also sets campaign contribution limits for individuals and groups.

The law limits the sources and amounts of funds used to finance federal elections. Contributions are subject to limits, and a campaign is prohibited from retaining contributions that exceed these limits. In the event that a campaign receives excessive contributions, it must follow special procedures for handling such funds.

Individuals who are minors (under 18 years old) may make contributions to candidates and political committees, subject to certain limitations. For example, the decision to contribute must be made knowingly and voluntarily by the minor, and the funds, goods, or services contributed must be owned or controlled by the minor.

There are also rules around in-kind contributions, which are non-monetary contributions such as goods or services. For example, individuals may use their homes and personal property for activities benefiting a candidate or political party without making a contribution. Costs for invitations and food and beverages served at fundraising events are not considered contributions if they remain under certain limits. These expenses on behalf of a candidate are limited to $1,000 per election, and expenses on behalf of a political party are limited to $2,000 per year.

Additionally, federal law prohibits contributions, donations, expenditures, and disbursements by foreign nationals in connection with any federal, state, or local election. Independent-expenditure-only political committees, also known as "Super PACs," may accept unlimited contributions, including from corporations and labor organizations.

Who can and can't donate

In the United States, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) enforces the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA). This act limits the amount of money individuals and political organizations can give to a candidate running for federal office.

Who can donate

Individuals may make contributions to candidates and political committees, with some limitations. For example, minors under 18 years old may make contributions, as long as the decision to contribute is made knowingly and voluntarily by the minor, and the funds, goods, or services contributed are owned or controlled by the minor. Individuals may also use their homes and personal property for activities benefiting a candidate or political party without making a monetary contribution. For instance, an individual can hold a fundraising party or reception in their home, as long as the costs remain under certain limits.

Who can't donate

Federal law prohibits contributions, donations, expenditures, and disbursements solicited, directed, received, or made directly or indirectly by or from foreign nationals in connection with any federal, state, or local election. Incorporated charitable organizations, like other corporations, are also prohibited from making contributions in connection with federal elections. Charities face additional restrictions on political activity under the Internal Revenue Code. Campaigns may not accept or solicit contributions from federal government contractors.

Additionally, a corporation or labor organization may not reimburse individuals who make contributions to a political committee, for example, through bonuses, expense accounts, or other direct or indirect compensation.

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Volunteering

Volunteers can provide a variety of services to campaigns, such as taking part in voter drives or offering their skills to a political committee. For example, an attorney could write policy papers for the campaign as a volunteer, as long as they are not compensated for their services. It is important to note that volunteers must not participate in the decision-making process of the campaign. Federal law prohibits foreign nationals from participating in the decisions of any person involving election-related activity.

Individuals may also use their homes and personal property for activities that benefit a candidate or political party without making a contribution. For example, an individual might hold a fundraising party or reception in their home, with costs for invitations, food, and beverages not considered contributions if they remain under certain limits. Volunteers may also use a church or community room for campaign activities, as long as the facility is regularly used for non-commercial purposes by community members without regard to political affiliation. A nominal fee paid by a volunteer for the use of such a room is not considered a contribution. When holding a campaign-related activity in a home, church, or community room, an individual may spend up to $1,000 per candidate, per election, for food, beverage, and invitations without making a contribution. Any amount spent over $1,000 must be reported by the campaign as an in-kind contribution.

Employees, stockholders, or members of a corporation or labor union may use the organization's facilities, such as phones, for personal volunteer activities, subject to the rules and practices of the organization. However, this use cannot prevent the employee from completing normal work or interfere with the organization's normal activity. If the volunteer activity exceeds "incidental use" of the facilities (one hour a week or four hours a month), the volunteer must reimburse the corporation or union the normal rental charge within a commercially reasonable time. Additionally, a corporation or labor organization may permit its employees, shareholders, officials, and members to use its facilities for individual volunteer internet activity, provided that the activity does not increase the overhead or operating costs of the organization and is not coerced.

Avoiding scams

Political donation scams are on the rise, with scammers taking advantage of high voter engagement. These scams involve impersonating candidates and parties to trick voters into donating money to fake campaigns. Here are some ways to avoid falling victim to these scams:

• Ignore unsolicited messages: If you receive a request for donation through a phone call, social media, or email that you did not ask for, ignore it. Scammers often use these platforms to solicit fraudulent donations.
• Verify donation links: Always go directly to the candidate's official website or call their office to verify the donation link. Do not click on links provided in unsolicited messages, as they may direct you to a fraudulent site.
• Use a credit card: When making a political donation, use a credit card as it offers extra protection and dispute options if you get scammed. Avoid payment methods such as wire transfers, gift cards, or apps like Venmo or Zelle, as it is nearly impossible to recover your money once sent.
• Be cautious of fake websites: Scammers create websites that look identical to official campaign sites to collect donations. Be sure to verify the website's legitimacy before making any donations.
• Beware of urgency: Scammers rely on creating a sense of urgency to push you into making a quick donation without verifying the source. Slow down, take your time, and verify the authenticity of the request before donating.
• Do your research: Research the candidate or charity you want to donate to. Search for their official website, reviews, ratings, and any complaints or scams associated with them. You can also check reports and ratings from organizations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
• Be wary of personal information requests: Scammers may pose as offering help with voter registration or updating your information to gain access to your personal details. Be cautious of unsolicited offers and never provide personal information in surveys or polls, especially payment information.
• Report scams: If you come across a scam or fall victim to one, report it to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state charity regulator at nasconet.org. You can also file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Frequently asked questions