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      Purposes of disbursement

Purposes of disbursement Committees must keep a record of each disbursement, including the disbursement's purpose. The purpose is a brief but specific description of why the disbursement was made, such as "dinner expense" or "postage." As a general rule, consider whether a person who is not associated with the committee could easily discern why the disbursement was made by reading the name of the recipient and the purpose. Please note that the lists below are not exhaustive and were revised on 8/21/2018.
 Inadequate purposes of disbursement
          
            Adequate purposes of disbursement
          
            Adequate consultant and consulting purposes
          
            Continue learning
          
          
            Legal citations
 Inadequate purposes of disbursement

  
  
    Admin.
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Event Expense
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Operating ExpensesAdministrative Expenses (to vendor)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Event Reimbursement
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Other ExpensesAdvance
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Event Supplies (to an individual)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    OutreachAdvocacy
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Expense Reimbursement
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Outside ServicesBenefits (to an individual)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Expenses
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    OverheadBonus
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Fees
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Party DevelopmentBounty
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Field
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    PaymentCampaign Expense
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Fundraising (to an individual)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Political ConsultingCampaign Material
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Fundraising Event  (to an individual)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    ProductionCaucus
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Fundraising Expense (to an individual)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Professional FeesCharges
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Fundraising Fees (to an individual)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Professional Fees – ConsultingCoalition Building
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Fundraising Supplies (to an individual)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Professional ServicesCollateral and Collateral Materials
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    General Advice
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Promotional MaterialCommission
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    General GOTV
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    PublicationCompensation
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    General or Generic Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Push CardConstituent Outreach
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Generic Campaign Activity
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    ReimbursementConsultant
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Get-Out-The-Vote or GOTV
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Rendered ServicesConsulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Gifts
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Retainer (to an individual)Consulting Non-FEA
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    GOTV Expenses
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Revenue SharesConsulting Service
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    GOTV Labor
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Services or Services RenderedContract
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Grassroots Materials
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    State ConventionContract Labor
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    In-Kind (unless an adequate purpose is provided on the Schedule A receipt)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Supplies (to an individual)Contractual Services
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Invoice
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    SupportConvention Expenses
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Issue Advocacy
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    TechnologyConvention Services
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Labor
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Transfer (Based on type of committee and relationship with the recipient)Costs
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Literature
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Utilities (to an individual)Delegate
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Meeting (to an individual)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Voter BountyDelegate Expenses
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Meeting Expenses (to an individual)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Voter ContactDesign
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Meeting Supplies (to an individual)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Voter DriveDiscount Fees
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Miscellaneous Expense
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Voter ID or Voter IdentificationElection Day/ Night Expense (to an individual)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Miscellaneous or Misc.
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Voter RegistrationEntertainment
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Office Expense (to an individual)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Voter TurnoutEquipment or Equipment Rental (to an individual)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Office Services
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    WorkerEvent
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Office Supplies (to an individual)
 Adequate purposes of disbursement

  
  
    Accounting/ Accounting Services
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Fee (to a financial institution/processor)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Photography ServicesAdministrative Levy
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Filing Fee- Candidate
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    PinsAdministrative Services (to an individual)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Food and/or Beverage(s)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    PollingAdvertising - Radio, TV, Newspaper, or Print
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Fundraiser – Food/ Beverages/ Rental/ Entertainment
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    PostageAirfare
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Fundraising (to a vendor)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    PostersBallot Fee/ Ballot Access Fee
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Fundraising Commission
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    PrintingBank Fee/ Bank Charge
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Fundraising Event (to a vendor)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Processing Fee(s)Bonus - Per Contract
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Fundraising Expense/ Fundraising Fees (to a vendor)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Registration/Registration FeeCab Fare/ Taxi Fare
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Fundraising supplies (to a vendor)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    RentCaging and Escrow
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Garnishment
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Research/ Research ServicesCampaign Event
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    GOTV Phone Calls
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Residential Security ExpensesCampaign Literature
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Graphic Design
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    SalaryCanvassing
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Hand Bills/ Cards
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Sample BallotsCar Rental
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Interest Charges
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    SecurityCatering
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Internet Service
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Service Fee (to a financial institution/processor)Check Fee
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Legal/ Legal Fees/ Legal Services
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    ShippingChildcare Expenses (Campaign Related)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Letterhead/Envelopes/ Stationary
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    SignsCompliance/ Reporting/ Filing Services
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    List Acquisition
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Slate Card MailerComputer (Equipment/ Programming/ Support)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Lodging/ Hotel
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Slate Card(s)Constituent Gifts/ Donor Gifts/ Staff Gifts/ Supporter Gifts
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Logo Design
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Software/Software LicensingConsultant  (see Adequate Consultant Purposes)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Meal(s)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    SubscriptionCopying/ Copies
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Media
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Survey/ Survey ResearchCourier Service
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Meeting/ Meeting Expense/ Meeting Supplies (to a vendor)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Sustaining Membership – Phone BankCredit Card Fee/ Merchant Fee
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Mileage/ Mileage Reimbursement
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    TaxesCybersecurity Expenses
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Office Equipment/ Office Equipment Rental
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Technical/Computer SupportDatabase Services
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Office Supplies/ Office Expense (to a vendor)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Teleconferencing ServicesDelivery/ Delivery Services
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    PAC Newsletter
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Telephone/ Phone/ Cell Phone/ Mobile Phone ServiceDirect Mail Services
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    PAC Postage
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Translation FeeDirect Marketing
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Palm Cards
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    TransportationDoor Hangers
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Parking
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    TravelDoor-to-Door Get-Out-the-Vote (GOTV)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Payroll
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Utilities (to a vendor)Election Day/ Night Venue (to vendor)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Payroll Processing Fees
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    WagesEquipment/ Equipment Rental (to vendor)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Per Diem/ Petty Cash/ Stipend
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Web HostingEvent Sponsor/ Program Sponsor/ Table Sponsor
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Petitioning
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Website ServicesExit polling
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Phone Banks (to a vendor)
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Win BonusFacility/Room Rental
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Phone Bill
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Year-End Bonus
 Adequate consultant and consulting purposes

  
  
    While “Consulting” is not an acceptable purpose, specifying the type of consulting services provided can help to ensure that the purpose is considered adequate. Please see examples in the table (purposes can be disclosed as “Consultant – (specific)” or as “(specific) Consulting”).
      
      Accounting Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Fundraising Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Media ConsultingAdministrative Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    General Campaign Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Microtargeting ConsultingCampaign Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    GOTV Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Political Strategy ConsultingCommunications Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Internet Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Polling ConsultingCompliance Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Issue(s) Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Research ConsultingDesign Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Legal Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Strategic Planning ConsultingDigital Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Logistics Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Strategy ConsultingFinancial (finance) Consulting
                                
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    Management Consulting
 Continue learning

  
  
    Commission's statement of policy on purpose of disbursement entries
      
      Interpretive rule on reporting ultimate payees of political committee disbursements
 Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR 104.3(b)(3)(i) and (vii)Itemization of disbursements by political committees other than authorized committees 11 CFR 104.3(b)(4)(i) and (vi)Itemization of disbursements by authorized committees 11 CFR 104.9(a) and (b)Uniform reporting of disbursements


This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public. The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.


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