The 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance law fundamentally altered the way national party committees, such as the DNC, can help fund state and local party committees. Because these committees can no longer solicit or direct "non-federal" (soft) money that pays the majority of expenses in many state party budgets, it has become even harder for state and local parties to run effective, year-round operations.

Grassroots Democrats educates national donors on these new and evolving rules and why it is so important to strengthen Democratic state party infrastructure. We made significant inroads over the past three election cycles and continue to work with donors, large and small, as well as progressive organizations to give at the state party level. In addition, Grassroots Democrats assists state parties with long-range finance plans that extend over several election cycles. It is our goal to provide finance expertise on an ongoing basis to the state parties and help them become more self-sufficient over the long term.