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      Fundraising by political party for tax exempt organizations

Fundraising by political party for tax exempt organizations Party committees may not solicit any funds for, or make or direct any donations of nonfederal funds (or Levin funds) to the following organizations: 501(c) tax-exempt organizations that make expenditures or disbursements in connection with a federal election, including for Federal Election Activity (FEA). This prohibition applies even if the organization has only applied for tax-exempt status;527 organizations that are not political committees, state, district or local party committees or authorized campaign committees of a state or local candidate. However, state, district and local party committees may make or direct donations to a state political committee that supports only state and local candidates, and does not make any expenditures or disbursements in connection with federal elections, including for FEA. Certification of 501(c) and 527 organizations When determining whether a 501(c) organization makes expenditures or disbursements in connection with federal elections or for FEA, a party committee may rely on a certification by the organization if the certification: Is a signed written statement by an authorized representative of the organization who has knowledge of the organization’s activities;States that within the current election cycle the organization has not made, and does not intend to make, any such expenditures or disbursements; andStates that the organization does not intend to pay debts incurred in the past election cycle from those expenditures or disbursements. If the party committee or any of their agents or entities knows the certification to be false, it may not be relied upon. 527 certification When determining whether a 527 organization is a state-registered political committee that supports only state and local candidates and does not make expenditures or disbursements in connection with federal elections, including for FEA, a party committee may rely on the same certification requirements of 501(c) organizations.
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          Definition of Federal Election Activity (FEA)Fundraising by party committees for federal candidatesFederal candidates' participation in nonfederal fundraising From the FEC Record Fundraising by federal candidates and officeholders for other candidates and committees
 Need help? Get help from the FEC by phone or email
 Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR 300.11National party committees; Prohibitions on fundraising for and donating to certain tax-exempt organizations 11 CFR 300.37State, district and local party committees; Prohibitions on fundraising for and donating to certain tax-exempt organizations 11 CFR 300.50Tax exempt organizations; Prohibited fundraising by national party committees 11 CFR 300.51Tax exempt organizations; Prohibited fundraising by state, district or local party committees
 Advisory opinions AO 2004-25Senator/national party officer may donate personal funds to voter registration organizations that undertake Federal Election Activity


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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