What is the Corporate Ally Program?

The Corporate Ally Program (CAP) was launched in 2015 as a campaign to raise corporate, soft dollar contributions to protect and promote our mutual business interests and strengthen our industry. The program provides funding for federal, state, and local advocacy campaigns and supports public policies that are important to real estate.

Who can invest in the Corporate Ally Program?

Any corporate entity may invest in the Corporate Ally Program.

Who typically invests in the Corporate Ally Program?

Organizations that invest in the Corporate Ally Program are typically REALTOR® industry partners such as Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), real estate technology vendors, real estate service businesses, NAR business affiliates, NAR vendors, NAR Institutes, Societies and Councils, REALTOR Benefits® Partners, real estate brokerages , title companies, state and local REALTOR® associations and state and local association business affiliates.

How do our Association’s investments in NAR’s soft dollar Political Advocacy Fund apply toward our 2019 NAR RPAC Fundraising Goals? What about our MLS Corporations’ annual investment to the Corporate Ally Program?

Beginning in 2019, all investments of $1,000 or more annually to BOTH the Political Advocacy Fund and the Corporate Ally Program will count toward your state’s overall fundraising receipts and Major Investor goals.

How does recognition for the Corporate Ally Program work? There are five investor recognition levels within the Corporate Ally Program:

  • Sterling R: $1,000 – $2,499 annually
  • Crystal R: $2,500 – $4,999 annually
  • Golden R: $5,000 – $9,999 annually
  • Platinum R: $10,000 – $24,999 annually
  • Platinum Diamond R: $25,000+ annually

Once you are recognized as a Corporate Ally Program investor, you will receive an email from NAR outlining your benefits at your Corporate Ally Program investor level, and your corporation/association will also receive a Corporate Ally Program lapel pin in the mail.

Are there sustaining investment rates for Corporate Ally Program investors like there are for RPAC Major Investor levels?

No, in order to sustain your Corporate Ally Program status annually you should invest at an amount within the range of the Corporate Ally Program investment level you wish to be recognized for each year.

Is the Corporate Ally Program restricted by campaign contribution limits?

No. Issue advocacy campaigns are not subject to federal or state spending limits.

How will my investment be used?

Regardless of how you invest in the Corporate Ally Program, your investment is put to work at all 3 levels to advocate and support issues, candidates or both.

If you choose to invest in the Political Advocacy Fund, 70% of your investment funds NAR’s Opportunity Race Program at the federal level and 30% is used back at the state and local levels to host meet and greets with Congressional candidates in their home districts. To make an investment in the Political Advocacy Fund, make your corporate check payable to “Political Advocacy Fund.”

For Investments to Issues, 50% of your investment will help provide funding for federal issues advocacy campaigns and 50% stays at home to support or defeat state and local REALTOR® Party issues. To make an investment to issues advocacy, make your corporate check payable to “NAR – Issues.”

Are contributions to the Corporate Ally Program tax deductible?

No. Contributions used for political purposes are not tax deductible on your federal income taxes.

What is the difference between soft and hard money?

Soft money is raised from corporations, associations, unions and individuals. Federal candidates cannot accept soft money. There are no limitations on the amount of soft money a corporation or individual can contribute, nor is there any limitation on the amount of soft money an organization can spend. Unlike RPAC, NAR may accept corporate contributions through the Political Advocacy Fund or the Corporate Ally Program, which can then be used to communicate with our membership about a candidate through opportunity races or used for issue advocacy. Hard money has many restrictions on how it is raised and spent and must be fully reported to the Federal Election Commission. Hard money is raised from individuals, who can contribute up to $2,400 directly to a federal candidate per election and $5,000 to a Political Action Committee, like RPAC, per year. RPAC may contribute $5,000 to a federal candidate per election. RPAC may only accept money from individuals.

How do I invest?

To make an investment in the Political Advocacy Fund, make your corporate check payable to “Political Advocacy Fund.”
To make an investment to issues advocacy, make your corporate check payable to “NAR – Issues.” All checks should be sent to:
430 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

Where can I learn more about the Corporate Ally Program?

To learn more about the Corporate Ally Program, visit www.realtorparty.com/corporateally or contact Allyson Nelson, NAR’s Political Fundraising Manager, at Anelson@nar.realtor or (202) 383-1156.