Political Campaign Fundraising & Resource Mobilization

Introduction to the Course:

Fundraising and resource mobilization are the lifelines of political campaigns. This course equips participants with the knowledge, strategies, and ethical frameworks required to raise funds and mobilize resources effectively while adhering to legal, transparent, and sustainable practices. It combines global best practices with case studies from India and other democracies to prepare participants for real-world campaign finance challenges.

Who Should Attend:

• Aspiring political leaders and party workers
• Campaign managers and political consultants
• Civil society professionals and advocacy group leaders
• Students of political science, law, public policy, and governance
• Individuals interested in election management and political finance

Learning Outcomes:
Participants will:

• Understand the role of fundraising in political campaigns and party structures.
• Learn the legal and regulatory framework governing political finance in India and internationally.
• Explore ethical and transparent fundraising methods.
• Develop skills for grassroots fundraising, digital fundraising, and donor engagement.
• Gain hands-on experience through campaign fundraising simulations and resource-mapping exercises.

Course Structure and Session Plan

Day	Session Topic	Key Components
Day 1	Foundations of Political Fundraising	– Importance of fundraising in modern campaigns – Overview of political finance in India and global democracies – Case study: 2014 & 2019 Indian General Elections funding patterns
Day 2	Legal and Ethical Dimensions	– Election Commission of India rules on political funding – Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) – Transparency, accountability, and ethical fundraising – International comparisons: U.S. Federal Election Commission, UK Electoral Commission
Day 3	Fundraising Strategies and Resource Mobilization	– Grassroots fundraising and small donor contributions – Events, membership drives, and donor networks – Digital fundraising (social media, crowdfunding, payment gateways) – Resource mobilization beyond money: volunteers, endorsements, in-kind support
Day 4	Managing Donors and Building Sustainable Networks	– Donor identification and segmentation – Communication strategies with donors – Corporate funding and electoral bonds in India – Case study: Use of small-donor fundraising in the Obama Campaign
Day 5	Simulation and Capstone	– Fundraising pitch simulation (participants design and present campaign fundraising plans) – Group work: Mapping resource mobilization strategies for a hypothetical political party – Debrief and expert feedback – Closing reflections and certificate ceremony

Methodology:

• Interactive lectures with case study discussions
• Group work and fundraising simulations
• Role plays (donor meetings, campaign pitches)
• Hands-on sessions on digital fundraising platforms
• Guest lectures by campaign strategists, policy experts, and election law professionals

Certification: Participants who successfully complete the course and simulation exercises will receive a Certificate in Political Campaign Fundraising and Resource Mobilization endorsed by the FORE Centre for Political Leadership and Governance (FCPLG).

 

Duration: 5 Days (Intensive Program)

 

Fees: Rs 15,000

 

Mode: Hybrid