Looking for exciting new ways to raise money as a PAC? Whether you're new to fundraising or a pro, we've got you covered! In this article, we'll share some fantastic PAC fundraising ideas to help you raise more than ever.
In 2015, there were over 7,000 Political Action Committees (PACs) in the United States. The competition between these PACs for donors is fierce. PACs who can find creative ways to excite their donors and increase donations will significantly benefit from their efforts. We have listed 11 fundraising ideas to help entice new supporters and raise more funds.
Fundraising dinners are still one of the best ways to raise funds and connect with donors. For PACs, these events may be the only time to meet their supporters face to face. While some nonprofits have stepped away from holding dinners and other large in-person events, PACs should consider before ending theirs.
People will pay large amounts for some face time with a candidate. That is the reason tickets to these events are so expensive. For a few hundred dollars a plate, donors can be seated next to politicians and other community leaders and get their chance to share their ideas with those who make the final decisions.
Live and silent auctions are always popular and can raise thousands of dollars. In most cases, the items auctioned are for trips, sports equipment, or tickets to a professional sport or music event, but PACs can offer something unique.
PAC donors are politically active and want their message heard by influential people. Your next PAC auction can include a one-on-one session with a politician or head of a political party. The winner of this one-on-one session can choose either in-person or streaming through streaming services like Zoom.
Walk-a-thons are another typical fundraiser for nonprofits. PACs can take that walk-a-thon idea and turn it into a parade, especially if a referendum is coming up about your cause. Passionate donors will want to share their message with the community and raise funds to get the issue passed in their favor. A walk-a-thon/parade gives them that chance.
Individuals and families can sign up to join the event for a nominal fee. They can even dress in costume and carry signs and balloons to spread the word. Since the parade is also a walk-a-thon, they can also collect pledges from their friends and family based on how long they walk.
Unfortunately, we are not done with the current pandemic yet, and some state restrictions still require people to wear face masks when indoors. PACs and candidates who want to draw attention to their pandemic efforts can sell custom-made face masks with the name of your committee or a campaign’s logo and message.
Face masks are an excellent way to raise money and share your message for free but remember FEC restrictions when deciding what to put on these masks. PACs can design their own masks with online sources like ABC Fundraising or find a local designer and printer.
Raffles are an easy and fun idea to raise funds for your PAC. Most raffles will offer a gift to the winners, but reverse raffles have a different take on the game. Instead of choosing the winning ticket right away, reverse raffles read off the winning ticket one by one until only one is left. The final ticket wins have the raffle pot, and your PAC receives the rest.
Amounts received from the raffle count as a donor contribution regardless of the cost of the raffle.
Do your supporters know they can contribute up to $5,000 a year to your PAC? Many cannot give anywhere near that amount. Donors can get closer to that amount than they realize, though with recurring donations. Contributions given weekly, monthly, or quarterly will greatly benefit the PAC. Committees can educate their donor base on recurring donations through email or mailing campaigns and social media posts.
Here’s an example of a PAC recurring donation campaign that encourages monthly donations as well as one-time donations up to $5000. This can be really convenient for your supporters. Those who can manage to donate a bigger amount can do it one time. Others can sign up for smaller recurring amounts as donations. With Donorbox, your donors can even manage their recurring plans by logging in to their donor accounts.
January is a difficult time for fundraising. People have just spent large amounts over the holiday and are tired of hearing from charities and politicians.
PACs can reach individuals at the beginning of the year by connecting with them over their new year’s resolutions and any habits they want to quit. Most people have at least one or two changes they want to make in their lives. PACs can help inspire people to reach their goals through peer-to-peer fundraisers that encourage people to stick with their resolutions by finding support from their friends and family online.
Each fundraiser can share their story and ask for a donation to your PAC as a sign of their support.
A fun and unique fundraising event for companies with several locations is a Make a Snake fundraiser. Choose a start and end date and outline a snake on the floor where employees and visitors regularly visit. As people pass the snake, they can toss change into the snake, and the first location to fill up the snake wins. PACs can promote the event and the winner on social media.
Since many people do not keep cash on them anymore, PACs may want to include a text-to-give option with the campaign as well. Donors who don’t have any change can text the given number with the campaign ID and will be transferred to your donation form online. It’s rather simple and quick. Here’s how it looks –
If your PAC is promoting green living and helping the environment, this event may be the perfect fundraiser. Your PAC can purchase trees and challenge supporters to give a certain amount for each tree they want planted. One idea is to plant 100 trees for $100 each, equaling $10,000.
Once the total amount is raised, your committee can throw an event where supporters come together and join in on the planting. This event will get your PAC members excited about the mission and how their contribution makes a difference. PACs can also collect more funds during this event with donations and raffles.
Bernie Sanders was infamous for collecting millions of dollars through small donations of $10. Regardless of how you felt about his politics, his fundraising success was admirable. Bernie’s supporters were passionate and kept giving these small amounts regularly throughout his campaign. Each of these donors meant a vote.
PACs can learn from his example and use members’ passions as a way to raise funds. PACs can create a $10 campaign and encourage donors to give small amounts of $10 or more regularly. This will get them excited and keep them involved.
As the campaign goes on, it is essential to collect information from these donors and target them for other activities like walks and advocacy calls or volunteering to promote your campaign.
The American flag is a symbol of pride for many Americans. PACs can use this symbol to help with their fundraising efforts during election years. PACs can purchase flags and sell them to their contributors online or at different events.
PAC volunteers can visit each contributor’s home with the Flag, help them display it in their yard, and ask supporters to put their flags out on national holidays and election day to show their support. These volunteers can also take this opportunity to speak with donors and learn more ways they want to get involved.
Refer to the below example for creating your own online campaign for a flag fundraiser. Although the organization isn’t a PAC, its crowdfunding campaign can be an inspiration for similar ones. Consider having a simple page like this where you can talk about your campaign, and the mission, post images, and videos and add a goal meter, and social media buttons. The donor wall can be a huge plus for a campaign like this, where you get to appreciate your supporters for their donations.
Donorbox is widely used by political fundraisers and PACs at all levels of governance. We help you put your campaign on your potential voters’ radar and raise funds with a simple 2-minute donation experience, text-to-give, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer fundraising, membership campaigns, and more! You can get started right now for free.
Watch the promo here to learn about PAC fundraising with Donorbox.
Most Political Action Committees (PACs) can raise funds from the general public. Individuals can contribute up to $5,000 per year to a PAC. To get the most out of supporters, PACs need to find creative fundraising ideas like the ones listed above to get their attention. While fundraising is the primary goal for these events, successful campaigns combine fundraising with marketing and donor relationship building. Whether your next PAC fundraiser is in-person or online, it should include all three.
Donorbox is the most affordable online donation processor out there. We offer PACs and nonprofits the chance to collect one-time and recurring donations, gather donor information, and market to audiences online. If your PAC needs fundraising tips or resources, visit our blog. To see a list of features, visit our website.
Kristine Ensor is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience working with local and international nonprofits. As a nonprofit professional she has specialized in fundraising, marketing, event planning, volunteer management, and board development.
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Kristine Ensor