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Invest in good government! Here are our top 5 recommendations for how you can support pro-housing public officials in Wisconsin and on the national stage.
JOIN CHAMPION OF HOUSING CLUB
WBA’s Champion of Housing Club, established in 2022, is an exclusive opportunity for members to partake in a variety of benefits not offered as part of other donation and sponsorship opportunities within the association. All pledges made as part of the Champion of Housing Club go towards your local association’s goal.
Contributions must be made online using the button below or via personal check, and not in conjunction with any other local HBA event. Yearly donation to join is $1,000.
Benefits Include:
- Recognition of club members in Badger Builder Magazine
- Recognition at WBA Advocacy Day at the Capitol
- Exclusive member communications and briefings done via email and Zoom
- Lapel pin to recognize giving
- Recognition of each member at each WBA Member Meeting Day
- Opportunities to attend WBA-sponsored political events
- Special in person event each year (to be held in conjunction with another WBA event or a standalone event)
2. Donate to the Builders Direct Fund Conduit
The Builders Direct Fund is the Wisconsin Builders Association conduit fund. That begs the next question, what is a conduit? A conduit is defined by the Government Accountability Board as "an individual or organization that receives money from individuals, deposits it in a financial institution, and then transfers contributions to any registrant (candidate, personal, legislative political action or political party committee) selected by the original contributor. The conduit organization or administrator may not exercise any discretion over the amount or ultimate recipient of these contributions.”
Requirements to Donate:
- Candidate is required
- Donation must be personal and not through corporate source
- Minimum donation of $100 is required
- Funds from BDF can only go towards candidates running for office on state and local levels (not President, U.S. Senate, or U.S. House)
Instead of sending a personal check directly to the candidate, you can send a check to the Builders Direct Fund or go donate above and direct those dollars to the candidate of your choice. By first sending your contribution to the Builders Direct Fund you allow your local association to reach its fundraising goal that year, WBA to receive recognition from the candidate, and you still receive credit for your personal contribution. For more information, consult Builders Direct Fund & Building a Better Wisconsin Terms & Conditions.
3. Donate to Building a Better Wisconsin PAC
Building a Better Wisconsin (BBW) is WBA's political action committee, most commonly referred to as a PAC. It consists of WBA members from across the state combining their resources to support pro-housing, pro-business candidates running for office in Wisconsin.
PAC contribution decisions are made by reviewing the candidates' positions and voting records on housing and WBA priority issues. Decisions are bi-partisan.
The Importance of Building a Better WI PAC:
The overall objective is to elect pro-housing candidates.
Our political action funds are necessary because today's campaigns require large amounts of money in order to achieve victory on Election Day. We must participate to be recognized as a political force before candidates are elected, which helps our credibility when we discuss issues important to us afterward.
An essential part of the WBA is showing our collective statewide support for housing issues at the capitol, and our political giving allows us to stand behind our legislative priorities.
Note that funds given must come from an individual and not corporate sources. For more information, consult Builders Direct Fund & Building a Better Wisconsin Terms & Conditions.
4. Donate to the Building Industry Council
BIC is a separate legal entity, but affiliated with WBA, and established under Section 501 (c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.
BIC works to keep Wisconsin’s economy strong through its public education and advocacy efforts. BIC also participates in legal efforts at all levels to advance important public policy issues affecting jobs and Wisconsin’s economy.
BIC's Goals:
To promote, develop, define, and encourage distribution of information about Wisconsin’s economic climate and the importance of job creation to the general public of Wisconsin.
To foster, encourage, and coordinate the development of public policy that will lead to greater economic opportunity and a higher quality of life for Wisconsin’s citizens.
To engage in activities that facilitate public education on issues that better the community as a whole.
For information on how to give to BIC, contact Brad Boycks, by email or at (608) 242-5151 ext. 16. BIC accepts corporate checks or personal contributions.
5. Attend Political Fundraisers
6. Donate to NAHB Build-PAC
Elections matter. That's why it's important for NAHB members to be engaged in the political process.
Contributing to NAHB BUILD-PAC is one of the best ways to be engaged and shape political outcomes. BUILD-PAC, NAHB’s bipartisan political arm, helps elect pro-housing, pro-business candidates to federal office.
More than 100 NAHB members serve on the BUILD-PAC Board of Trustees, the body that decides which candidates receive support. Only NAHB members may be solicited to contribute to BUILD-PAC, and there are varying giving levels from which they may choose.