Fundraising and campaign finance
Structuring a lawful, transparent and diversified funding strategy that gives the campaign the means to match its ambition without compromising its independence.
Who it is for
Candidates, financial agents, party treasurers and support committees.
When
From the preparation of the candidacy; funding shapes every other campaign decision.
Key deliverables
Funding strategy, fundraising plan, compliance procedures, donation tracking tools.
Funding, the foundation of political independence
The cost of campaigns is one of the main barriers to political competition, especially for new candidacies, women and young people. In many contexts, dependence on a small number of funders exposes candidates to pressure and weakens their autonomy once elected.
Comparative research on political finance highlights the value of diversifying sources — member contributions, small donations from supporters, fundraising events, public funding where it exists — and of greater transparency, which strengthens voters’ trust.
Political finance is also one of the most strictly regulated areas: caps on donations and spending, bans on certain sources, traceability requirements, appointment of a financial agent, filing of accounts. Our approach puts compliance at the heart of the strategy.
What the engagement covers
A complete funding strategy, inseparable from its compliance.
Estimating needs
A realistic campaign budget, based on the strategy and legal caps.
Funding strategy
Identifying and diversifying lawful sources of funding.
Small donations
Supporter contribution schemes, including mobile payment solutions where the law allows.
Fundraising events
Designing dinners, meetings and support evenings that comply with the rules.
Member contributions
Organising dues and contributions from members and elected officials.
Traceability and compliance
Donor verification procedures, receipts, dedicated accounts and preparation of campaign accounts.
Plan, raise, account
An approach in which every franc raised is traceable and justifiable.
Legal framing
Analysis of applicable rules with the client’s legal counsel.
Budget
Estimating needs and funding scenarios.
Fundraising plan
Sources, targets, timeline and tools.
Fundraising
Implementing schemes and real-time tracking.
Accountability
Preparing accounts and supporting documents.
Explicit, verifiable methods
Every tool we use is documented: its sources, assumptions and limitations are known to our clients.
Donor pyramid
Structuring contributions by level to reduce dependence on a few funders.
Donor due diligence
Verifying contributors’ identity and eligibility under the law.
Donation tracking table
Comprehensive recording of income, with automatic checks against caps.
Case for support
A clear presentation of the programme and the use of funds for potential contributors.
Measuring honestly
Every indicator is labelled by status — target, calculated estimate or measured result — in line with our principles of rigour
| Indicator | What it shows | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Amount raised | Income actually received and recorded. | Measured result |
| Diversity of sources | The share of income coming from the largest contributors. | Measured result |
| Fundraising target | The amount the campaign sets for each phase. | Target |
| Funding needs | The budget required to implement the strategy. | Calculated estimate |
Clean, traceable money
Political finance engages the very legitimacy of the future office-holder; we apply uncompromising standards.
Lawful sources only
We refuse funds of dubious origin, sources prohibited by law and banned foreign funding.
No quid pro quo
A donation can never be consideration for a future decision, contract or appointment.
Full traceability
Every item of income is recorded, justified and paid into dedicated accounts.
Respecting caps
Caps on donations and spending are monitored at all times.
A candidate funded by many belongs to everyone; funded by a few, they belong to those few.AXIOME working principle
In what contexts do we work?
Illustrative situations: they do not describe actual engagements.
An independent candidacy
A candidate without a party machine must build autonomous and credible funding.
A party in the making
A party wants to professionalise its dues and fundraising between two elections.
Excessive dependence
A campaign relies on a very small number of funders and wants to diversify its resources.
Frequently asked questions
No. Funds are raised and managed by the financial agent or the authorised structure. We design the strategy, tools and procedures.
In some countries, yes, subject to rules on donor identification and traceability. Each scheme is validated against applicable law.
Through transparency: explaining how funds are used, systematic receipts and, where possible, communication about campaign accounts.
Related expertise
Let's discuss your project
Every political context is unique. A first, strictly confidential conversation allows us to understand what is at stake and define the most relevant support.
