An Introduction to PACs

With elections always around the corner, many listeners may wonder whether their advocacy organization needs a PAC. In this first episode of an ongoing series this year, we’ll introduce you to PACs, including pros and cons plus how to fund and run them. We’ll look at factors to consider when forming a PAC & what activities PACs can engage in. 

Attorneys for this episode 

Leslie Barnes Susan Finkle-Sourlis Tim Mooney 

Shownotes

• What are PACs?  

• • Should your 501(c)(4) form a PAC? 

• • • If not % partisan/exempt activity – may incur excise tax 

    • Exempt purpose for PACs = partisan activity, whereas exempt purpose for 501(c)(3) = charitable and exempt purpose for 501(c)(4) = social welfare 

• • Are you maximizing your 501(c)(4) organization’s advocacy?  

• • • Do you want to do MORE IEs? 

    • Do you want to use a stronger voice different from the 501(c)(4)? 

• 3 Examples

• • • A 501(c)(4) realizes they can do everything they want to out of their 501(c)(4) 

    • You’re on a board of a 501(c)(4), you see elected officials blocking progress but rest of board declines to start a PAC 

    • A 501(c)(4) determines they want to extend and amplify their 501(c)(4) work, so they decide to form a connected PAC 

• Preview future episodes in the series on PACs 

• • Types of PACs 

  • Funding of PACs 

  • Operating PACs 

Resources

The Connection: Strategies for Creating & Operating 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4), and PACs 

Independent Expenditures – What are They and What are the Rules 

Forming a Corporate Political Action Committee by our partners at the law firm of Venable, LLP 

FEC – for guides, advisory opinions, and more (test)