Eleanor Finch
The Harris Victory Fund is a joint fundraising committee authorized by Harris for President, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and several state Democratic parties. The fund accepts contributions of up to $926,300 from individuals and $410,000 from multi-candidate committees (PACs). However, there have been concerns and ethical debates about the fund's continued collection of recurring donations even after Kamala Harris's loss in the 2024 election. While some argue that the donations help rebuild the Democratic Party, others criticize the practice as super shady and taking advantage of loyal supporters. With the fund now defunct, contributions are redirected to the DNC, raising questions about the original intent of donors who contributed to an entity bearing Harris's name.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Who is Kamala Harris?
Kamala Devi Harris, born in Oakland, California, on October 20, 1964, is an American politician who served as the Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Harris is the first African-American and first Asian-American woman to be elected Vice President and the highest-ranking female elected official in US history. She has also served as the junior United States Senator from California from 2017 to 2021 and as Attorney General of California from 2011 to 2017. Harris was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in the 2020 election and the 2024 nominee for President, losing to Donald Trump.
Harris was born to an Indian mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a biologist, and an Afro-Jamaican father, Donald Harris, an economist. The family lived in Berkeley, California, until 1966, when they moved to the Midwest for her parents' teaching and research positions. They lived in college towns in Illinois and Wisconsin before her parents divorced in 1970, after which Harris and her sister Maya spent weekdays with their mother in Berkeley and weekends with their father in Palo Alto, California. In 1976, Harris moved with her mother and sister to Montreal, Canada, where she attended Westmount High School.
Harris began her career in the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, where she prosecuted cases of child sexual assault and established a program to provide first-time drug offenders with job training and education. She was elected District Attorney of San Francisco in 2003 and re-elected in 2007. In 2010, she was elected Attorney General of California, becoming the first African-American and the first woman to hold the position. As Attorney General, she refused to defend California's same-sex marriage ban and worked on issues such as mortgage and foreclosure fraud.
In 2016, Harris was elected to the US Senate, becoming the second African-American woman and the first South Asian-American senator in history. She served on several committees, including the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Select Committee on Intelligence. On January 21, 2019, she announced her candidacy for President of the United States in the 2020 election, but ended her campaign in December 2019 before the primaries. In August 2020, Joe Biden selected her as his vice presidential running mate, and they went on to win the election. As Vice President, Harris cast several tie-breaking votes in the Senate and focused on issues such as immigration and voting rights. In 2024, she was the Democratic nominee for President, but lost to Trump.
Effective Fundraising Strategies for Political Campaign Success
You may want to see also
How much money can the Harris Victory Fund accept from a person?
The Harris Victory Fund is a joint fundraising committee authorized by Harris for President, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and several State Democratic Parties. It does not accept contributions from corporations or their political action committees (PACs), unions, federal contractors, national banks, those registered as federal lobbyists, SEC-named executives of fossil fuel companies, or foreign nationals.
The Harris Victory Fund accepts contributions of up to $926,300 from an individual. The first $3,300 from an individual will be allocated to Harris for President for the general election. The next $41,300 from an individual will be allocated to the DNC. The next $510,000 from an individual will be split equally among the Democratic state parties from all 50 states. Any additional funds will be allocated to the DNC, subject to applicable contribution limits.
A contributor may designate their contribution for a particular participant by contacting info@kamalaharris.com. The allocation formula above may change if following it would result in an excessive contribution. By providing their phone number, contributors consent to receive recurring and/or automated text messages and calls from Harris for President and the DNC.
How Public Interest Groups Shape Society's Future
You may want to see also
Who does the Harris Victory Fund accept donations from?
The Harris Victory Fund is a joint fundraising committee authorized by Harris for President, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and the State Democratic Parties. It accepts contributions of up to $926,300 from individuals and $410,000 from multi-candidate committees (PACs). The allocation of funds is subject to change to avoid excessive contributions to any one participant.
The first $3,300 from an individual or $5,000 from a PAC will be allocated to Harris for President for the general election. The next $41,300 from an individual or $15,000 from a PAC will be allocated to the DNC. The next $510,000 from an individual or $255,000 from a PAC will be split equally among the Democratic state parties. Any additional funds will be allocated to the DNC.
The Harris Victory Fund does not accept contributions from corporations or their PACs, unions, federal contractors, national banks, those registered as federal lobbyists or under FARA, SEC-named executives of fossil fuel companies, or foreign nationals. Federal law requires the committee to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 per election cycle.
Kamala's Rally: Date, Time, and Location Revealed
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Who does the Harris Victory Fund not accept donations from?
The Harris Victory Fund is a joint fundraising committee authorised by Harris for President, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and several State Democratic Parties. The fund accepts contributions of up to $926,300 from individuals and $410,000 from multi-candidate committees (PACs).
However, the Harris Victory Fund does not accept donations from certain entities, including:
- Corporations or their PACs
- Unions
- Federal contractors
- National banks
- Individuals registered as federal lobbyists or under FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act)
- SEC-named executives of fossil fuel companies
- Foreign nationals
It is important to note that there have been ethical concerns regarding the Harris Victory Fund's continued acceptance of recurring donations after Kamala Harris's loss in the 2024 election. Some critics have called the practice "super shady" and "tantamount to grifting", while others argue that the funds will help rebuild the Democratic Party.
Older Adults' Political Campaign Volunteering: What Percentage?
You may want to see also
How to avoid scams when donating to the Harris Victory Fund
Political donation scams are a common occurrence, especially during election season. Here are some ways to avoid scams when donating to the Harris Victory Fund:
Recognize Common Scams
Scammers often use robocalls, text messages, and fake websites to solicit fraudulent donations. They may also use deepfake videos and voice cloning technology to impersonate politicians and make their messages appear authentic. During the 2024 New Hampshire primary, there was a documented attempt to use voice cloning to influence voters. It is important to be vigilant and cautious when receiving donation requests through these channels.
Verify Donation Links
Always verify donation links before providing any personal or financial information. Go directly to the candidate's official website or call their office to ensure that the donation link is legitimate. Do not click on links in unsolicited messages or emails, as they may direct you to a fraudulent site.
Use a Credit Card for Donations
When making a political donation, it is recommended to use a credit card. Credit cards offer additional protection and dispute options if you become a victim of fraud. Be cautious of urgent requests for donations, as scammers often use high-pressure tactics to rush you into making a decision without verifying the legitimacy of the request.
Be Wary of Personal Information Requests
Never give out personal or financial information over the phone, especially if someone claims to be conducting voter registration. No states or districts allow voter registration over the phone. Be cautious of individuals or organizations requesting sensitive information, such as your birthday, address, Social Security number, or credit card numbers. Legitimate PACs will not ask for this information unless they have confirmed your citizenship status and employment.
Familiarize Yourself with Campaign Finance Rules
Understand the rules and regulations that govern political donations, such as contribution limits and the types of organizations that are prohibited from donating. For example, the Harris Victory Fund does not accept contributions from corporations, unions, federal contractors, national banks, or foreign nationals. Knowing these rules can help you identify potential scams or improper solicitation.
By following these guidelines and staying informed, you can help protect yourself from scams when donating to the Harris Victory Fund or any other political campaign. Remember to exercise caution, verify information, and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.
Harris' Speech: What Time Is It On?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Harris Victory Fund was a legitimate organization set up as a joint fundraising committee by Kamala Harris's campaign with the Democratic National Committee. However, the fund is now defunct after Harris's loss to Donald Trump.
The Harris Victory Fund accepted contributions of up to $926,300 from individuals and $410,000 from multi-candidate committees (PACs). The first $3,300/$5,000 from an individual/PAC was allocated to Harris's campaign for the general election. The next $41,300/$15,000 went to the DNC, and the next $510,000/$255,000 was split equally among the Democratic state parties. Any additional funds were allocated to the DNC.
After Harris's defeat, the fund continued to charge monthly recurring donors, causing controversy and ethical concerns. While some defended the practice as common and transparent, others criticized it as taking advantage of loyal supporters and "grifting". The fund itself is now defunct, and any contributions go directly to the DNC.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued alerts about potential campaign fundraising scams pretending to be from official political candidates. They advise donors to be cautious of suspicious websites, emails, texts, and phone calls. The BBB recommends only clicking on trusted links, using a credit card for donations, and being aware of recurring donation fine print.
