Which term refers to campaign contributions that help fund general party activities?

The term that refers to campaign contributions that help fund general party activities is soft money. Soft money is not subject to the same restrictions as hard money, which is limited to specific candidate campaigns and must be reported to federal authorities. Instead, soft money can be used for party-building activities, such as voter registration drives, party advertising, and other efforts that enhance the party’s overall electoral chances, rather than directly supporting a specific candidate.

In the context of campaign finance, soft money became particularly significant after the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 placed stricter regulations on hard money donations, leading to a surge in soft money contributions for party activities. Understanding the distinction between soft money and other types of contributions is crucial in comprehending the broader landscape of campaign finance and political party support in the United States.