This document provides an overview of different types of advocacy groups in the United States. It explains that groups like 501(c) organizations, 527 groups, political action committees (PACs), and super PACs all have different rules set by Congress and the FEC regarding how they can raise and spend money to influence politics. The document gives examples of prominent groups that fall under each category and directs readers to the website OpenSecrets.org for more information on different groups and their financial activities.

1. ISSUE ADVOCACY

2. INTRODUCTION TO ADVOCACY
GROUPS
 When you want to spend money getting your voice heard on an
issue or a candidate, the best thing to do is form your own issue
advocacy group.
 There are so many different kinds of groups, & they all have their
own laws guiding them.
 Congress and the FEC (Federal Elections Commission) make the
rules for all of the different groups and make sure they don’t break
the rules.

3. FEC & CONGRESS RULES
Expenditure reports.
Fundraising details:
a. Who raised the money.
b. How much was raised
List of donor names

4. SUPER PAC DONORS

5. BRIEF HISTORY
 Spending large amounts of money to influence voters for specific issues has
been around for a long time.
 As the U.S. has grown and technology has increased, so has modern election
spending.
 “527 groups” are relatively new to American politics, as are PACS, or Super
PACS.
 “527 groups” are named for the section of USA tax code that is relevant to
them.
 PAC stands for Political Action Committee.
 Super PAC is a bigger version of Political Action Committee.

6. DIFFERENT TYPES OF GROUPS
The Center for Responsive Politics has a
website, www.opensecrets.org, which gives great information about
the different sorts of groups that spend money in elections to
advocate for different causes. These include the following• 501( c) groups.
• 527 group.
• Political Action Committee (PAC).
• Super PACS.

7. MORE INFORMATION & EXAMPLES
 501 ( c )
AFL-CIO
 527 groups
Progress for America Voter Fund
 Super PAC
Priorities USA Action
 PAC
American Bankers Association
http://www.opensecrets.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mgHeq_Z0cQ

8. 501 ( C) GROUPS
 These groups are nonprofit organizations that are exempt from
taxes.
 They are governed by section 501 ( c) of the IRS code.
 501 ( c) (3) groups- “religious, charitable, scientific or educational
purposes”.
 501 (c ) (4) groups which are known as "social welfare."
 501 (c ) (5) groups- labor and agricultural groups
 501 ( c ) (6) groups- business leagues, chambers of
commerce, real estate boards and boards of trade.

9. 527 GROUPS
 527 Groups are named for the section of the IRS code that
governs them.
 Also tax-exempt organizations, they raise money for political
work.
 If they are obviously a political party, they must register with the
FEC (Federal Elections Commission). If not, they need to be on
the books of the local state or the IRS.
 Usually can’t advocate the election or defeat of specific
candidates, but can work for a specific issue or cause.

10. Political action committee
(PAC)
These groups are allowed to raise money
known as “hard money,” and they use this
to work for the victory or defeat of specific
candidates. Sometimes PACS form with
sole purpose of defeating people.
Major businesses have PACS associated
with them, like Microsoft and Apple and
Google.
Also, issue-oriented groups like the NRA
have PACS to take care of political
advocacy business that the main
organization can’t handle.
Opensecrets.org states, “A PAC can give
$5,000 to a candidate per election
(primary, general or special) and up to
$15,000 annually to a national political
party. PACs may receive up to $5,000
each from individuals, other PACs and
party committees per year.”
PACS have to register by 10 days after
starting up, with basic info.

11. WORKS CITED
 http://www.opensecrets.org
 Federal Elections Commission