skip navigation
Here's how you know US flag signifying that this is a United States Federal Government website

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

SSL

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Federal Election Commission | United States of America

Trade association federations

A federation of trade associations may also establish an SSF. The federation may solicit SSF contributions from the restricted class of a member corporation of a trade association that is a member of the federation.

Definition

A trade association federation is an organization representing trade associations involved in the same or allied line of commerce.

Affiliation and solicitation

When a federation and its regional, state or local associations are affiliated, their respective SSFs are also affiliated and are treated as one political committee for purposes of the contribution limits. Affiliation is based on the relationship between the organizations, analyzed in terms of the circumstances indicating affiliation. Corporate members that are local units, or state leagues, may also act as collecting agents for the SSF of an affiliated organization.

Joint and delegated solicitations

A federation’s SSF and a member association’s SSF may also engage in joint solicitations. In addition, a member association may delegate its solicitation rights to the federation.

From the FEC Record

Need help?

Get help from the FEC by phone or email

Legal citations

Regulations

11 CFR 100.5(g)(4) and 110.3(a)(3)
Determining affiliation between organizations

11 CFR 114.8(g)
Federation of trade associations

Advisory opinions

AO 2005-14
Solicitation of regional trade association's members for contributions to the SSF of the federation of regional trade associations

AO 2000-15
Payroll deduction by trade association's affiliated member

AO 1998-19
Solicitation of credit union members for PAC of federation of credit union trade associations

AO 1995-12
Affiliation and cross solicitation between trade association federation and state associations

This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public.

The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.