The document provides guidance on creating an effective finance plan with four parts: a summary, narrative, calendar, and job descriptions. It recommends appointing a finance committee headed by a well-connected community member to implement the plan and solicit donors. Specific strategies are outlined for identifying and soliciting different types of donors, including friends/family, ideologues, major donors, and groups. Fundraising events, letters, and compliance with campaign finance rules are also addressed.

1. Finance Plan
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2. Finance Plan
Your financial plan should consist of four parts:
 Summary – List fundraising programs
 Narrative – a detailed description of each program
 Calendar – event dates, literature drops and deadlines
 Job Descriptions – should be written for each member of
fundraising team

3. Finance Committee
 Appoint a Finance Committee that will be
responsible for planning and orchestrating a
successful fundraising plan.
 The head of your Finance Committee should be:
 an individual with a high profile in the community
 Organized
 has the ability to implement the finance plan and solicit
donors.

4. Why People Give
Access - Challengers don’t have it
Ideology – Strong believers in conservative
principles or fearful of liberal agenda
Peer Influence – People who know and like you

5. How do I get donors to give
me money?
ASK THEM!
Regardless of how the request is made, remember to convey three things to
all donors:
 Urgency: A donation is needed as soon as possible
 Specificity: Outline how the Committee spends its money. It is
important to demonstrate that the committee has its spending
priorities in place
 Electability: Tell them why you can win if you have the proper
funding

6. Donor Groups
One Size Does Not Fit All
 Friends and Family
 Ideologues
 Major Donors
 Direct Mail Donors
 Clubs/Committees
 PACs

7. Where Do I Find Potential
Donors?
Friends and Family
The Rolodex Strategy:
Groups where you will have the most success:
 Family, colleagues and friends
 Business Associates
 Social Clubs
 Country Clubs
 Church
 Vendors (if applicable)
 College Alumni Lists

8. Where Do I Find Potential
Donors?
Ideologues
 Previous donors to Republican candidates, PACs, and causes
Note: Committees can legally obtain lists of donors to Massachusetts
state candidates and committees at the Office of Campaign and
Political Finance
www.state.ma.us/ocpf
 Professional Organization Member lists (AMA, Chambers, NFIB,
NRA)
 Petition Signers (Tax Rollback, Marriage Amendment, Local Petitions)
 VoterVault!

9. Major Donors
 Important part of your effort to raise capital
 Recruited through personal solicitation of:
 Town Committee Chairman
 Finance Chairman
 Local Republican elected officials

10. Major Donors
 Establish levels of club  Target individuals to be new
membership: major donors.
 Local business owners
 Active Members $50
 Silver Elephants $100  Major donors to Republican
 Golden Elephants $500 candidates
 Diamond Elephants $1,000  Current donors who could
move up to a higher level
 Try to find some connection between a member of the Finance
Committee and the prospective major donor
 Set up a meeting where you outline the campaigns goals and plan for
attaining them
 Demonstrate the impact their contribution will make on the campaign’s
political operations

11. Successful Solicitation of Major
Donors:
Sell Yourself!
 Be optimistic, sincere and excited about the campaign
 An investment in a better future based on his/her values &
ideals
 Be Flexible. Close the deal when you sense the person is
ready
 Look at the situation from the potential donor’s point of
view
 Communicate on their level
 Tell them how the money will be used
 Ask for names of other people who might be interested in
involvement

12. Major Donors
 Make these donors a part of your campaign
 Keep them informed of your progress and
activities
 Solicit their input throughout the campaign
 These donors can help you expand your
rolodex network

13. Fundraising Letters
 Who Should be Mailed?
 List of local active donors compiled by the Committee
 Acquired lists
 Registered Republicans in your community
 Targeted groups – use VoterVault for this
 Who Should Sign It?
 Candidate
 Local Republican elected official
 Content
 Why are you running?
 What is planned for the coming election cycle?
 Urgent PS:
Watch your spelling/grammar!

14. Events
 Special events
 Raise money
 Increase awareness
 Build excitement
 Establish a realistic target figure to be raised (after
expenses) and work backward from there.
 Secure a speaker for your event
 Where possible, look to utilize donated space and
resources.

15. Groups and PACs
Solicit Donations From:
 Town Committees
 Like Minded Political Action Committees (PACS) i.e.
NFIB, NRA, GOAL, CLT
Approach these groups as you would Major Donors

16. DO NOT:
 Over-sympathize with your prospect. Never
begin with, “I know it’s a lot to ask, but…”
 Leave without a firm commitment or a check
in hand.

17. Campaign Finance Rules
 The Massachusetts Office of Campaign & Political Finance
(OCPF) is the body that regulates your committee’s financial
activities.
 They exist to assist Party committees, PACs, and candidates in
adhering to the finance laws that the legislature enacts.
 Resources are readily available for you to stay in compliance
with campaign finance laws.
 Visit their website at: www.state.ma.us/ocpf for more details.

18. Some Quick Points:
 Government employees may neither solicit donations, nor
may their name ever appear on an invitation for a
fundraising event - not even if donations are merely
“suggested.”
 A donor may contribute up to $500 to a local candidate
committee
 You must report the name and address of every contributor
whose annual contributions are more then $50.
 You must report the employer & occupation for every
contributor whose annual contributions are more then
$200.