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      Fundraising for a separate segregated fund (SSF)

Fundraising for a separate segregated fund (SSF) A connected organization may use its treasury funds, including funds derived from commercial activities or dues payments, to pay the costs of establishing, administering and soliciting contributions to the separate segregated fund (SSF). Treasury money can be used, for example, to pay for fundraising activities. There are no dollar limits on these disbursements, and they are not reported to the FEC. The connected organization may either pay these costs directly or establish a separate administrative account to be used solely for the SSF's fundraising expenses. The funds contained in the administrative account may never be commingled with the SSF's own funds, which are derived solely from lawful contributions. Although the law permits the connected organization to pay start-up, administrative and fundraising expenses for an SSF, the committee may use its own funds to pay those costs. All disbursements by the SSF for these purposes are reportable as operating expenditures. Note that the connected organization may reimburse the SSF for those operating expenditures, provided that the reimbursement is made within 30 days of the SSF's disbursement. These reimbursements are reported as "offsets to operating expenditures."
 For SSFs
      Registering as an SSF
          
          Taking in receipts as an SSF
          
          Making disbursements as an SSF or connected organization
          
          Keeping SSF records
          
          Filing SSF reports
          
          Handling SSF loans and debts
          
          Terminating a committee
 Basic guidance for SSF fundraising
          
            Solicitation methods
 Basic guidance for SSF fundraising
        The following rules for SSF solicitations are explained in this section:Contributions to the SSF must be voluntary;Special notices must be included;Only a limited class of individuals may be solicited;Solicitation of the general public is prohibited; andAll contributions and records must be forwarded by collecting agents and others in a timely manner.
        What is and is not a solicitation
        
           Who may be solicited for an SSF contribution
        
           Solicitable class of a corporation
        
           Solicitable class of a labor organizationWho is a member of a labor organization
        
           Solicitable class of a membership organizationWho is a member of a membership organization
        
           Solicitable class of a trade associationWho is a member of a trade associationPrior approval by corporate members of trade associationsTrade association federations
        
           Twice-yearly solicitations of expanded class
        
           Notices required on SSF solicitations
        
           Collecting and forwarding contributions to the SSF: Collecting agents Solicitation methods
        The most common methods of soliciting SSF contributions from the restricted class are described. SSFs may solicit funds using any otherwise legal method of fundraising; however, no matter which method is used, the rules specific to all SSF solicitations in "Basic guidance for SSF fundraising" must be observed.
        Payroll deductionMaking corporate collection methods available to labor organizations
        
           Written solicitations
        
           Online solicitations
        
           Solicitations at conventions or meetings
        
           Matching charitable contributions
        
           Events and promotions (One-third rule)
        
           Combined dues and solicitation statements


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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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