All contributions to federal political action committees (PACs) are tightly controlled and regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
In order for the Agricultural Retailers Association’s Political Action Committee (ARAPAC) to solicit contributions, the following conditions must be met. Contributions from any entities that DO NOT meet these conditions CANNOT be accepted by ARAPAC for candidate related political activities.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO ARAPAC?
- Only ARA members and their direct family, who are individuals, sole proprietorships or limited liability companies (tax as a partnership) may be solicited for contributions by ARAPAC. Executive employees of ARA are also eligible to be solicited. Members of the ARA board of directors are not considered executive employees of ARA since they do not receive any type of compensation for their service on the ARA board. They must qualify under another category to be solicited by ARAPAC.
- ARA members which are corporations are strictly prohibited from contributing to ARAPAC. Executive employees of a corporate member are not permitted to be solicited by ARAPAC merely because the corporation is a member of ARA.
- However, if an ARA corporate member provides ARAPAC with a written “prior authorization form”, ARAPAC is permitted to solicit that corporate member’s executive and administrative personnel, and their direct family, for contributions to ARAPAC. A corporation may only provide one membership organization, such as ARA, with a prior authorize for a given calendar year. Contact us for further information.
- An individual, a corporation or any type of entity is strictly prohibited from reimbursing any person who makes a contribution to ARAPAC.
- Individuals may contribute up to $5,000 annually to ARAPAC. Although $5,000 is the annual maximum, a large number of smaller contributions will add up and result in a well-funded ARAPAC.
- ARAPAC contributors must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO ARAPAC ADMINISTRATIVE FUND?
- ARA corporate members are permitted to donate their corporate funds to ARA to pay for administrative expenses of the PAC or non-candidate related political activities. There is no limit on the amount a corporation can donate to the ARAPAC administrative fund.
- Corporate members are permitted to donate goods to ARA that will be used in the annual ARAPAC auction.
FEC NOTICES
All contributions to ARAPAC are strictly voluntary and not deductible as charitable contributions for federal tax purposes. ARAPAC is a federally registered political committee which contributes its funds to federal candidates and other federal committees.
CONTACT US
For additional information or if you have any questions, please contact ARA Vice President of Legislative Policy & Counsel Richard Gupton by phone at (202) 457-0825 or e-mail at richard@aradc.org