Steps 1, 2, 3 – Fundraising as Number Three

With a new school semester upon us, I thought it would prove interesting to provide writings from two classes I am taking this fall. Both courses will provide relevant topics that address politically current events as well as the components of a stable and principled leader. One class is Fundraising & Campaign Finance, while the other is Biblical Foundations of Leadership.

This evening in particular, the following is a write-up from the Campaign Finance class that addresses the necessity for a fundraising plan within an organized structure. Enjoy!

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A campaign needs financial support, recognition, and organization to appear strong to constituents as well as supporters who will help the candidate win. “If the director fails to raise the necessary funds, the campaign will falter” (Bennett 2003, p. 263). As a result, it proves essential to have a finance team that understands their roles and meets the monetary goals (Bennett 2003, p. 263). An effective fundraising plan adds value to a campaign in three ways – 1) there remains a flow of funds to support cash flow payout requirements, 2) it develops an organized structure that assists in portraying the campaign theme, and 3) it illustrates campaign viability (Bender, Grant, and Nagle 2003, pp. 108, 111; Bennett 2003, p. 269).

A cohesive organizational structure that provides for clear and thorough communication, allows the campaign to operate in a business-like fashion. For instance, John Bennett points out in “Gearing Up Your Finance Committee” that “[t]he finance director is the most important person in your campaign, other than the candidate and the campaign manager” (Bennett 2003, p. 263). The candidate functions as the CEO (Chief Executive Officer), providing the campaign’s overall executive leadership with vision and direction towards winning the election. The campaign manager operates as the COO (Chief Operating Officer), managing all the various components in a campaign to ensure that both the internal stakeholders work together in a seamless fashion that provides the external stakeholders with a motivation to support the candidate. Lastly, the finance director works as the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) to make sure that the campaign can continue to function with the financial resources necessary to operate.

Both the candidate and finance director have to possess a demeanor that has the ability to request donations while also appealing to constituents in a way that moves them from considering giving money to actual follow through in writing the check. A part of this appeal comes from the integrity, confidence, decisiveness, and genuineness with which the candidate and financial director present themselves.

The campaign also needs to understand the approach to fundraising. This is an aspect currently articulated as a downside to Mr. Gingrich’s initial approach to fundraising. According to Kendra Marr in “Newt Gingrich’s Fundraising Approach is No Fundraisers,” the former Speaker did not transition well to the personal interaction as “. . . it’s often difficult for fundraisers like Gingrich to transition into running a federally regulated operation” (p. 2).

On the other hand, Texas’ Governor Rick Perry, who has never lost an election, has perfected the art of fundraising in the Lone Star State. As a result, in his presidential bid the article, “New Fundraising Calculus Unlikely to Hinder Perry,” relays that “. . . Perry’s staff has treated the campaign much like an audit, going to great lengths to make sure money is spent efficiently.” In essence, “. . . with that trust, and a good bit of behind-the-scenes groundwork by bundlers,” Perry could continue his financial winning streak to the White House (Philipott).

Political fundraising takes dedication, focus, and a commitment to meet goals (Bennett 2003, p. 263). When a financial director puts these components in motion, the campaign has an optimal environment for functioning.

References

Bender, Earl, Grant, Michael Grant, and Nancy Nagle. “Campaign Self-Examinations: Taking Your Political Pulse.” In Winning Elections: Political Campaign Management, Strategy & Tactics, edited by Ronald A. Faucheux, 106-114. New York: M. Evans and Company, Inc. 2003.

Bennett, John. “Gearing Up Your Finance Committee.” In Winning Elections: Political Campaign Management, Strategy & Tactics, edited by Ronald A. Faucheux, 263-269. New York: M. Evans and Company, Inc. 2003.

Marr, Kendra. “Newt Gingrich’s Fundraising Approach Is No Fundraisers.” Politico. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/61593.html (accessed August 24, 2011).

Philipott, Ben. “New Fundraising Calculus Unlikely to Hinder Perry.” The Texas Tribune. http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-presidential-election/rick-perry-hits-fundraising-trail/ (accessed August 24, 2011).