political action committee

How Do You Become an Effective Advocate for the Arts?

Join Americans for the Arts Action Fund and Support the Arts Action Fund PAC

This chart is also available in pdf format.

What steps do you need to take?	STEP 1 Join Americans for the Arts Action Fund	STEP 2 Support the Arts Action Fund PAC
Legal Structure	IRS § 501 (c)(4) nonprofit and a subsidiary of Americans for the Arts	FEC regulated as a “Connected PAC” to the Arts Action Fund.
Charitable Status	The nonprofit is exempt from income tax, except for political expenditures. A donor cannot claim a tax deduction for contributions.	The political action committee is exempt from income tax. A donor to a PAC has a $5,000 annual limit, and it cannot be claimed as tax deduction.
Membership and/or Contribution Eligibility (generally)	Citizen memberships are available to individuals, employees of arts organizations, corporations, and nonprofit organizations—minimum fee of $20 per year.	Only Arts Action Fund members can be solicited to contribute to the PAC, and they must pay with a personal (noncorporate) check or credit card.
Membership Benefits (generally)	Expanded lobbying and grassroots campaigns to build political awareness of the importance of the arts and arts education Congressional Arts Report Card Quarterly political newsletter Candidate forums and positions Timely action alerts and updates Voter mobilization activity Eligibility to contribute to the Arts Action Fund PAC.	Contributions to the PAC help elect federal officials who will proactively advance the arts and arts education across the country.
Lobbying Regulations	Unlimited expenditures on direct and grassroots lobbying.	N/A. Purpose of a PAC is electoral, not legislative.
Permitted Electoral Activities (generally)	Communications restricted to “members only” Voter registration and mobilization for pro-arts issues or candidates Conducting and issuing responses from Candidate Forums Candidate endorsements Candidate Report Cards Issue advertising Administration of its PAC	Raise PAC funds to support pro-arts federal candidates. Maximum candidate contribution is $5,000. Arts Action Fund PAC is legally restricted to only being able to solicit Arts Action Fund “members” for PAC contributions. Candidate endorsement and issue advertising to the general public.
Limits on Communicating Electoral Activity	Communications permitted anytime, but limited to “members only” of the Arts Action Fund.	Communications permitted anytime to Arts Action Fund “members” and on a more limited basis to the “general public.”
Contributing to Candidates	Not permissible	Yes