Question 1

How much am I allowed to contribute?

Accepted Answer

There are no limits to the amount of money you can contribute to Tennessee Rise. [Click to Donate]

Question 2

Are contributions public?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Contributions to Tennessee Rise are publicly disclosed information.

Question 3

Do my contributions go to candidates?

Accepted Answer

Contributions do not go directly to a candidate's campaign but would be used to pay for independent expenditures in support of candidates. Your contributions support evidence-based investments in voter turnout and persuasion tactics to benefit candidates, but we are not legally permitted to coordinate with their campaigns. We also recommend making the maximum allowable contribution directly to candidates BEFORE giving to Tennessee Rise.

Question 4

How will my money be spent?

Accepted Answer

Resources raised into this PAC will be invested first in fully funding the work of increasing voter engagement and turnout within six priority counties. These counties encompass the 10 most competitive state legislative races we need to flip in order to break the MAGA Republican supermajority. These counties encompass 40% of all registered voters statewide, 71% of the Democratic vote, 75% of diverse voters (Black, Indigenous, & people of color), and 46% of voters aged 18-34. The voters who can change Tennessee's future are here, we must invest in the work to engage and mobilize these potential voters.

Question 5

Can I request that my contribution support one specific candidate?

Accepted Answer

We are unable to earmark a donation to a specific candidate. Our goal is to fully fund the work across all organizations in a way that’s necessary for effective, large-scale programs. If one race or tactic becomes fully saturated, or conditions change, we have the flexibility to re-allocate resources. This helps us be more effective with your investment.

Question 6

How can I help other than just donating?

Accepted Answer

Thank you, it will take all of us leaning in for Tennessee to Rise. Please reach out via email to team@tnrisepac.org and we will send you a fundraising host guide & toolkit.

Question 7

This sounds great, how do I donate?

Accepted Answer

Just click here and make your contribution online.

Option 2 (Check): 
Make check payable to Tennessee Rise PAC
Mail to: Tennessee Rise PAC
131 Lynnwood Dr #18004
Knoxville, TN 37928

Option 3 (Wire/ACH): 
contact team@tnrisepac.org

Question 8

How do you choose which candidates to support?

Accepted Answer

We choose to engage in races where we see the clearest combination of strong candidates, credible electoral math, existing coalition infrastructure, and an environment where additional investment can actually change the outcome.Flipping state legislative races is especially important because breaking Tennessee’s legislative supermajority is a multi-cycle goal, and these are among the best Democratic pickup opportunities. The congressional races became more important after recent mid-cycle redistricting. Republicans’ attempt to dismantle Memphis’s congressional representation created two districts with meaningful Black electorates and plausible paths under stronger turnout conditions.

Question 9

Can these races actually be won?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only with concerted effort and support.For the State House races, the gaps we are trying to close are in the hundreds of votes, not thousands. For the congressional races, the path requires a much larger combination of turnout growth, electorate expansion, and candidate performance.Our planning is based on building a credible path rather than assuming a wave will solve everything for us.

Question 10

What is the basic path to victory?

Accepted Answer

For the State House races, it is largely about closing relatively small vote deficits through stronger turnout, persuasion, and candidate name recognition.For CD-9, increasing turnout and Democratic vote production in Shelby County is particularly important. For CD-5, turnout matters too, but the path also relies more heavily on persuasion and margin improvement in suburban communities.

Question 11

What does my contribution actually fund?

Accepted Answer

Through TN Rise PAC, resources support voter contact and communications designed to increase candidate name recognition and voter participation in priority races.Depending on the program, that can include direct voter contact, communications, research, digital outreach, mail, and other legally permissible electoral activity.

FAQ