Hard Money
Hard Money refers to direct campaign contributions that are strictly regulated and reported to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Unlike other types of political funding, hard money comes from individuals or PACs with specific donation limits and must be fully disclosed. When you see this term in resumes, it typically indicates experience with managing regulated campaign donations, donor compliance, and fundraising within legal limits. Think of it as the most transparent and regulated type of campaign funding, similar to having a publicly audited bank account for political campaigns.
Examples in Resumes
Managed Hard Money donor database of over 5,000 contributors for senatorial campaign
Raised $2M in Hard Money contributions through direct mail and events
Ensured compliance for all Hard Money donations and filing FEC reports
Typical job title: "Campaign Finance Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Campaign Finance Managers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you structure a campaign's finance department to handle both hard money and PAC contributions?
Expected Answer: A senior candidate should explain how to set up separate tracking systems, maintain proper documentation, organize staff responsibilities, and ensure compliance with FEC regulations while maximizing fundraising efficiency.
Q: What strategies have you used to increase hard money donations while staying within FEC limits?
Expected Answer: Should discuss donor outreach programs, event planning, database management, and methods to encourage maximum legal contributions while maintaining strict compliance with regulations.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you handle donor tracking and FEC reporting requirements?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of donor database management, contribution limits, reporting deadlines, and basic FEC filing procedures.
Q: What's your process for ensuring compliance with hard money regulations?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic compliance checks, contribution verification procedures, and methods for correcting any compliance issues.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the difference between hard money and soft money?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that hard money is regulated, direct campaign contributions with strict limits, while soft money involves less regulated donations to political parties or PACs.
Q: How do you process and record a hard money donation?
Expected Answer: Should understand basic donation processing steps, including checking contribution limits, recording donor information, and basic compliance requirements.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic donation processing
- Donor database entry
- Understanding of contribution limits
- Basic FEC compliance knowledge
Mid (2-5 years)
- FEC report preparation
- Donor relationship management
- Fundraising event coordination
- Compliance monitoring
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic fundraising planning
- Team management
- Advanced compliance oversight
- Major donor program development
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of current FEC regulations
- Unfamiliarity with campaign finance software
- Poor attention to detail in financial records
- Lack of experience with compliance reporting
