Definition
Political fundraising includes individual donations, events, online appeals, direct mail, party support, and committee transfers.
Political Dictionary
Fundraising
Fundraising is the process of collecting money to support a campaign or political organization.
Why It Matters
Campaigns need funds for staff, advertising, travel, technology, legal compliance, and voter outreach.
How It Works
Campaigns identify potential donors, request contributions, process payments, and report qualifying receipts.
History
Fundraising evolved from patronage and party networks to mass-mail, telephone, and digital small-dollar systems.
Example
A candidate may hold a fundraising dinner and run an online small-dollar campaign.
Common Misconceptions
- Fundraising is unregulated.
- All donors receive political favors.
- Small donations do not matter in large campaigns.
Related Terms
Related Topics
See Also