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      Sale of campaign assets

Sale of campaign assets Purchaser makes contribution Generally, when a campaign sells its property, the purchase is considered a contribution to the campaign by the purchaser. The payment, therefore, must not come from prohibited sources and must not exceed the contribution limits. Under limited circumstances, however, the sale of a campaign asset does not result in a contribution. Sale of campaign materials The sale of fundraising items or materials developed uniquely for the committee (such as artwork, publications and opinion polls) results in contributions from the purchasers.
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        Proceeds from sales
 Commercial ventures The Commission has determined that when a committee asset is sold or used for an ongoing commercial venture to produce revenue for a committee, the proceeds are considered contributions to the committee. Purchaser does not make contribution Under limited circumstances, however, the sale of a campaign asset does not result in a contribution. Mailing lists Mailing lists developed by a campaign for its own use may be sold or exchanged at the “usual and normal” charge without the purchaser making a contribution. Liquidation of equipment and supplies The Commission has said that the sale of campaign equipment and supplies does not result in a contribution under certain conditions.
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          Debts and loansPersonal useTerminating a committee From the FEC Record Using campaign funds for congressional transition expenses
 Need help? Get help from the FEC by phone or email
 Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR 100.53Amount paid for fundraising item is contribution 11 CFR 102.3Termination of registration 11 CFR 102.12(c)Support by authorized committees 11 CFR 102.13(c)Designation of authorized committees 11 CFR 104.3(b)(2)(vi) and (b)(4)(vi)Itemization of other disbursements 11 CFR 106.4Allocation of polling expenses 11 CFR 113.1(g)(4)Gifts 11 CFR 113.2(a)(2)Campaign funds used for winding-down costs 11 CFR 113.2(b)Charitable contributions 11 CFR 113.2(c)Unlimited transfers to political party committees 11 CFR 113.2(d)Donations to state and local candidates 11 CFR 113.2(e)Any lawful purpose except personal use 11 CFR 116.1Debts owed by candidates and political committees; Definitions
 Advisory opinions AO 2012-06Redesignation of candidate committee's general election contributions to nonconnected committee AO 2008-04Refund and redesignation of general election funds received during publicly funded presidential primary campaign AO 2004-03Conversion of authorized committee to multicandidate committee (superseded in part; footnote 2 of AO 2012-06) AO 2003-19National party committee's sale of office equipment AO 2002-14National party committee's lease of mailing list and sale of ad space and trademark license AO 1996-44Use of campaign funds for district office move AO 1991-34Committee's sale of access to voter database AO 1986-14Proceeds from sale of committee's van AO 1985-30Authorized candidate committee converted to multicandidate committee AO 1983-02Computer services sold by campaign to retire debt AO 1982-41Mailing lists exchanged between campaign committee and other organizations AO 1982-24Fundraising through sale of artworks consigned by artists AO 1981-53Campaign's sale of mailing list to corporation AO 1980-19Sale of poll by labor union AO 1978-43Use of surplus campaign funds to pay staff AO 1976-90Use of excess campaign funds for expenses


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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