Malcolm Rivera
Political donations from the education industry mostly come from individuals linked to various institutions, as universities and schools typically cannot form PACs. Universities, as tax-exempt organizations, are prohibited by federal law from participating or intervening in any political campaign. However, individuals from the education industry gave more than $64.5 million to Democrats and $7.8 million to Republicans in 2018. To find out about political donations from colleges, you can refer to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) website, which has a searchable donor database that lets you browse by recipient or contributor and narrow results by zip code, donor occupation, employer, contribution amount, and more. Alternatively, you can use tools like FollowTheMoney.org, Get Local!, and Zippia to track donations to colleges.
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What You'll Learn
University policies on political donations
In contrast, the University of Chicago (UChicago) has a reputation for being politically conservative due to its law school, economics department, and defence of free speech. However, recent research suggests that faculty at leading institutions, including UChicago, lean towards the Democrats. Between 2015 and 2023, UChicago faculty donated approximately $80,000 to Republican candidates and committees and about $2.4 million to Democratic candidates and committees.
While universities may not have explicit policies on political donations, their faculty and employees' contributions can provide insight into the political leanings of the institution. Analyzing these donations over multiple election cycles can indicate the collective political stance of the university community and their level of engagement in the political process.
It is worth noting that universities and schools typically cannot form Political Action Committees (PACs) and that donations often come from individuals associated with these institutions.
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How to find college donations in FEC records
To find college donations in FEC records, you can make use of the publicly available information on the FEC website and other third-party sources. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Visit the FEC Website: Start by navigating to the official website of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) at www.fec.gov. This website provides a wealth of information related to campaign finance and political contributions.
- Search for College Donations: Use the search function on the FEC website to look for specific colleges or educational institutions. You can try variations of the college name, as well as terms like "university" or "educational institution" to cast a wider net.
- Explore Candidate and Committee Records: On the FEC website, you can access records of candidate committees and political action committees (PACs). These committees are responsible for handling campaign contributions and expenditures. Look for the "Committee Reports and Data" section to find detailed financial information.
- Understand Recordkeeping Requirements: The FEC has specific recordkeeping requirements for contributions. For donations exceeding $200, records must include the contributor's full name, mailing address, occupation, and employer. For smaller contributions, the threshold for detailed records is lower, and you may need to refer to aggregate data or summary reports.
- Utilize Third-Party Sources: In addition to the FEC website, you can leverage third-party websites that aggregate and analyze campaign finance data. Sites like OpenSecrets (www.opensecrets.org) provide donor lookup tools and databases that allow you to search for organizations and industries that have made political contributions.
- Consider State-Level Data: Don't forget that colleges may also contribute to state-level political campaigns. The FEC website provides some information on state-level donations, but you may need to consult individual state election board websites or other specialized sources for more detailed data.
- Respect Privacy Restrictions: When reviewing FEC records, keep in mind that the Act prohibits the use of contributor information, such as names and addresses, for soliciting contributions or commercial purposes. Respect the privacy of individual donors, and ensure that you are using the information solely for your personal knowledge or permitted purposes, such as academic research.
By following these steps and familiarizing yourself with the FEC website and related sources, you can effectively research and identify college donations in FEC records. Remember to be specific in your searches and cross-reference multiple sources to ensure comprehensive and accurate information.
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State and local campaign donation tools
- Federal and State Databases: The Federal Election Commission (FEC) maintains a comprehensive database of individual contributions to federally registered political committees. This database allows you to search by contributor name, employer, occupation, location (city, state, or zip code), contribution date, amount, or the committee receiving the funds. The FEC website also provides information on who can and cannot contribute, such as restrictions on charitable organizations and foreign nationals.
- OpenSecrets: OpenSecrets is a website that offers insights into campaign expenditures, lobbying activities, and political donations at the federal and state levels. It provides data on contributions from various industries, including education, and allows you to trace donations to specific politicians and committees. The site also includes organization profiles, detailing lobbying efforts and spending by influential entities.
- DonorSearch: DonorSearch is a political contributions search tool that uncovers the professional affiliations of prospects for your capital campaign or fundraising project. Nonprofits can use this tool to identify businesses with employees who have a history of political donations, making them potential targets for corporate giving discussions.
- State-Specific Resources: In addition to federal databases, many states maintain their own political contribution databases. For example, The Virginia Public Access Project offers a searchable database of political contributions in Virginia, allowing users to identify major donors in their local area. Similar resources may be available for other states, providing detailed information relevant to specific regions.
- Understanding Giving Potential: Political contribution history can be a strong indicator of an individual's or organization's giving potential. By utilizing search tools and databases, you can identify prospects who have demonstrated a commitment to financially supporting political causes or candidates. This information can be invaluable when approaching potential donors or partners for your organization's fundraising goals.
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How PACs and committees accept contributions
Political Action Committees, or PACs, are tax-exempt 527 organizations that pool campaign contributions from members and donate those funds to campaigns for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation. PACs are subject to various contribution prohibitions and limitations. For example, PACs cannot accept contributions from federal government contractors or foreign nationals. Additionally, contributions by one person in the name of another are prohibited.
There are two main types of PACs: connected and non-connected. Most connected PACs, also known as corporate PACs, are established by businesses, non-profits, labor unions, trade groups, or health organizations. These PACs receive and raise money from a restricted class, such as managers and shareholders in a corporation or members of a non-profit organization. Non-connected PACs, on the other hand, solicit and accept unlimited contributions from individuals, corporations, labor organizations, and other political committees. However, they do not make contributions to candidates.
Federal multi-candidate PACs may contribute up to $5,000 to a candidate or candidate committee for each election, with primary and general elections counted separately. Independent-expenditure-only committees, also known as Super PACs, can accept unlimited contributions, including from corporations and labor organizations. However, they are prohibited from contributing directly to a candidate or candidate committee.
Political committees may accept contributions from individuals, subject to certain limitations. For example, minors may contribute to political committees, but the decision must be made knowingly and voluntarily by the minor, and the funds, goods, or services contributed must be owned or controlled by the minor. Partnerships are also permitted to make contributions according to special rules, and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are subject to the contribution limits for partnerships if taxed as such. Trusts can also contribute to political committees, but certain conditions must be met to ensure transparency and compliance with regulations.
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How to know if a college is liberal or conservative
While colleges and universities are prohibited from making direct contributions to political campaigns, their political leanings can be inferred from various factors, including the ideologies of their students, faculty, and administrators.
Student Body
The political leanings of a college's student body can provide insights into the overall political climate on campus. The UCLA Higher Education Research Institute's 2016 Freshman Survey found that approximately 35% of first-year college students identify as liberal or left-leaning, while 22% identify as conservative or right-leaning. This suggests a leftward tilt among college students compared to their Gen Z peers, among whom 42% identify as liberal and 19% as conservative.
Faculty and Administrators
The ideologies of faculty members and administrators can also influence the political atmosphere on campus. Research suggests that liberal staff members significantly outnumber conservatives in higher education institutions. A study found that liberal staff outnumbered conservative staff by a ratio of 12:1, with 71% of faculty identifying as liberal or very liberal, and only 6% identifying as conservative to some degree.
Course Offerings and Requirements
The types of courses offered and the degree requirements can also indicate a college's political leanings. For example, Mount Holyoke College, known for its progressive founder, Mary Lyon, emphasizes diversity studies and requires students to take foreign language and multicultural perspective courses. On the other hand, a college with a conservative bent might offer degrees in Bible or biblical counseling, as seen at institutions like BYU-Idaho and BJU, which has hosted notable Republican politicians.
Political Activism and Campus Climate
The level of political activism on campus and the prevailing campus climate can also offer clues about a college's political leanings. Some campuses may have a more politically charged atmosphere, with students actively engaging in activism and discourse. The presence of clubs and organizations promoting specific political values can also indicate a college's political leanings.
In conclusion, while there are no direct indicators of political donations, examining the ideologies of a college's constituents, its course offerings, and its campus climate can provide insights into whether it leans liberal or conservative.
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Frequently asked questions
Colleges and universities are prohibited by federal law from donating to or intervening in political campaigns. However, individuals associated with colleges, such as employees, may donate to campaigns. You can search for these individuals' donations using the FEC database or tools like OpenSecrets and FollowTheMoney.
You can search for individual contributors by their name, employer or occupation, city, state, zip code, contribution amount, or the committee receiving the contribution.
While colleges themselves cannot donate to political campaigns, the education industry, including individuals from colleges and universities, does contribute significant amounts to political campaigns. In 2018, individuals from the education industry donated over $72 million in total, with $64.5 million going to Democrats and $7.8 million to Republicans.
