Friday, April 04, 2008

New Report on Groups Raising Money for the 2008 Election

The Campaign Finance Institute (CFI) has released a new report, "Fast Start for Soft Money Groups in 2008 Election 527s Adapt to New Rules, 501(c)(4)s On the Upswing." The report highlights the fundraising of 527s and 501(c)(4) groups for the 2008 election. "Soft money groups are poised to play a major role in the 2008 election."

The report partly attributes the rise of 501(c)(4) spending to the Supreme Court decision in the Wisconsin Right to Life case, preventing the Federal Election Commission (FEC) from regulating some groups that engage in issue advocacy rather than electioneering.

However is there danger in referring to 501(c) groups generally, especially when the press picks up such reports? Will some think this also includes 501(c)(3) nonprofits from vague mentions, such as this BNA Money and Politics ($$) article, with "501(c) Groups" in the title.