SNA PAC: Political Action Committee

Each year, the School Nutrition Association Political Action Committee (PAC) makes contributions to members of Congress who have shown leadership in advocating for child nutrition programs. Learn how you can support these efforts. 

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State Resources

Check out resources for state affiliates on how to do a successful state PAC fundraiser, including a PowerPoint template and FAQ.

PAC FAQs

Learn more about what a PAC is, its role in the legislative process and why SNA needs a PAC to successfully advocate for school meal programs at the federal level.

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SNA PAC: Political Action Committee

Each year, the School Nutrition Association Political Action Committee (PAC) makes contributions to members of Congress who have shown leadership in advocating for child nutrition programs

The SNA Executive Board founded the PAC on the heels of the 1981 federal budget crisis that resulted in deep cuts in federal child nutrition program budgets. The goals behind the creation of the PAC still hold true today:

  • To educate members of Congress about the child nutrition programs
  • To support federally elected officials and candidates who back our positions on child nutrition programs.

Resources for States
Check out resources for state affiliates on how to do a successful state collection, including a PowerPoint template and a PAC FAQ.

Support the SNA PAC 

The SNA PAC is governed by School Nutrition Association volunteer leaders and is made up exclusively of Association members who provide it with financial support. You can support the PAC by getting involved in the activities listed below.

SNA PAC Contributions

The SNA PAC makes contributions in a bipartisan manner to those elected representatives who support child nutrition programs.

Political Action Committees are regulated by the Federal Election Commission and strict rules apply to all PAC fundraising. Under FEC regulation:

  • Only SNA members and spouses may contribute to SNA PAC
  • Corporate or association contributions are not permitted
  • An individual may contribute up to $5,000 per calendar year to SNA PAC
  • All contributions are voluntary and members have the right to refuse without reprisal
  • Contributions to SNA PAC are not tax deductible

State Resources

What is SNA PAC?

The SNA Political Action Committee (SNA PAC) raises funds from SNA members and contributes funds to federal elected officials in accordance with Federal Elections Commission regulations in order to educate members of Congress about child nutrition programs. SNA PAC is a critical component of SNA’s policy and advocacy efforts It ensures that SNA has a “seat at the table” to work in favor of child nutrition programs. 

Resources for States

Click here for a PowerPoint template to talk about PAC at local meetings.
Click here for a FAQ about PAC, including how to do a state collection.

Fundraising Ideas

Please be creative in collecting funds; however, be mindful of the federal regulations governing PAC fundraising (see Guidelines below). Some fundraising ideas include:

“Pass the Buck” Collection.
Perhaps the most popular method of collecting funds for PAC, pass a bowl, bucket or other collection device as you "Pass the Buck for PAC." This method of fundraising is most appropriate at gatherings of SNA members such as state conferences or chapter meetings. It is important to remember a few legal points when "passing the hat:"

  1. Only SNA members should be in attendance at the event. It is not permissible to solicit non SNA members.  
  2. Announce that you are collecting funds for SNA PAC and briefly explain what SNA does with the funds: supports members of Congress that support child nutrition programs
  3. Announce that non-SNA members or SNA industry members should please refrain from contributing.
  4. Individuals ‘passing the hat’ should do their best to police the collection ensuring that only SNA members are contributing.
  5. Announce that if anyone has any questions or is an industry member who wishes to contribute to see a designated person.
  6. Make a designated person available at the back of the room or outside the room—most likely the state PPL chair—who should be able to explain to industry members the need to sign an authorization form if they wish to contribute. Industry authorization forms, along with a list of which members of Congress have received SNA PAC contributions are available on the SNA PAC website.

Membership Renewal.
Encourage SNA members to ‘check the box’ for SNA PAC on the membership renewal form. All SNA members renewing their annual membership can contribute any amount they wish in addition to their membership dues by checking the appropriate box. This can be done whether renewing on a paper renewal form or online on the SNA website. Contributions will be included in determining the state contest winners.

SNA PAC Fundraising Guidelines for State Affiliates and Chapters

States are challenged to see how many funds they can raise in support of PAC. Total contribution amounts will include any funds that are raised at state meetings, PAC Statesmen donations, and contributions made with SNA membership renewals. There are several laws that govern contribution to Political Action Committees. Please follow the guidelines below:

Corporate contributions to a Political Action Committee are prohibited  (2 U.S.C 441b).  As a result, it generally would not be permissible for a state affiliate (an incorporated association) to write a check to SNA PAC.  However, there is a provision in FEC regulations that permits certain persons to act as "collecting agents" by accepting and then forwarding contributions to an affiliated political committee (11 C.F.R. 102.8 (b); Campaign Guide for Corporations and Labor Organizations at 28).

As an affiliate of SNA, state associations meet the definition of "collecting agent" (Campaign Guide, at 28).

In order for such a transfer to be made, the following requirements would need to be met:

  • The state affiliate should have only solicited those persons SNA PAC is authorized to solicit for contributions.
  • You may not solicit from non-members. Nor can you solicit from industry members without prior written approval, and then only individuals, not companies, may make contributions. If industry members fill out an ‘authorization to solicit’ form they may contribute. If collecting funds through a ‘pass the hat’ method, it is advisable to politely ask that industry members not contribute.
    • For contributions under $50, the state affiliate must forward the contributions they received to SNA PAC within 30 days of receiving them.  For contributions over $50, the transfer must be made within 10 days.
    • The state affiliate must keep records of the monies received and provide SNA PAC with the name, address, and employment information for any person who contributed $200 or more.
  • If the state affiliate meets these requirements, it should be able to transfer the monies it collected to SNA PAC.  If it does not, then no transfer of funds should be made.

One additional item, if the state affiliate makes a transfer to SNA PAC it needs to be done by money order, cashier's check or personal check.  A check from a state association’s checking account is not be permissible.

For more information on SNA PAC or the State Challenge, please contact Jessica Negron-Pimentel at jnegron-pimentel@schoolnutrition.org 

PAC FAQs

What is a PAC?

A political action committee supports an organization's political goals by collecting money from people who share those goals and making contributions to political candidates who support those goals.

Why does SNA need a PAC? Why is the SNA-PAC important?

  • The SNA PAC works to support Congressional members that are involved and passionate about SNA issues.
  • The SNA Executive Board founded the PAC on the heels of the 1981 federal budget crisis that resulted in deep cuts in federal child nutrition program budgets. The goals behind the creation of the PAC still hold true today:
    • To educate Members of Congress about the child nutrition programs; and,
    • To support federally elected officials and candidates who back our positions on child nutrition programs. 

What does the PAC do and what role does the PAC have in the legislative process?

  • SNA PAC supports SNA’s legislative goals. Read about these in the Position Paper.
  • Contributions are voted on by the PAC and committee and made to Members of Congress who support SNA initiatives.

How does the PAC decide who to contribute to?

  • SNA identifies Congressional members who support our issues, and who sit in, committees with jurisdiction over child nutrition programs, such as the House Education and Labor, House/Senate Agriculture Committees, and the House/Senate Appropriations Committees. 
  • Typically, the Congressional members are serving on committees that reauthorize child nutrition programs. 

Is the money for SNA PAC from SNA member dues?

No. Federal law prohibits the use of membership dues  for political campaign contributions. SNA PAC counts on voluntary donations from SNA members. 

Are donations to the SNA PAC tax-deductible?

No. Contributions are not tax-deductible.

Is the SNA PAC associated with a political party?

No. SNA PAC is a bipartisan entity that supports federal political candidates who support issues important to SNA regardless of party affiliation.

Note: Sample PAC Financial Statements are available upon request.