Finance Director Bootcamp

looking to tackle the role of finance director on a campaign?

The role of Finance Director is a high-impact position on political campaigns. Finance Directors lead candidates’ fundraising efforts by creating and implementing the finance plan, overseeing and executing each revenue stream, and managing relationships with donors, other campaign staff, and the candidate. It is a role ideal for individuals eager to get campaign experience leading this vertical, who have been hired as campaign managers but don’t have a background in finance, or who are seeking experience in this role.

If you are actively trying to raise money on a political campaign, this intensive skills development program is for you!

Here's how it works.

The program is virtual.

The spring 2025 cohort will take place on March 1st and March 2nd (12:00 PM - 6:00 PM)

Finance Director Bootcamp Applications for this cohort will open January 13th

There is no cost to attend.

After this training you will be able to:

  • Plan by understanding how to create a finance plan and goals

  • Decide how to problem-solve by collecting data, assessing data against benchmarks, and using the finance plan to prioritize and project

  • Execute call time, events, meetings, donor management, and data collection and tracking to raise sufficient funds legally and efficiently

  • Manage people (candidate, campaign manager, finance team, and consultants), platforms, and data to achieve the goals outlined in the finance plan 

Expect an engaging mix of presentations, dialogue, and live-fire action learning. The program will be led by experienced campaign advisors Evan Chernack and Lucy Arthur-Paratley.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does a Finance Director do?
    A Finance Director plays a pivotal role in any political campaign, serving as the financial strategist of campaign resources. They are responsible for managing and coordinating all fundraising efforts, from grassroots donations to large-scale contributions. This role requires a keen understanding of campaign finance regulations, budgeting, and financial planning. Finance Directors work closely with campaign leadership to ensure that the campaign has the necessary funds to execute its strategy effectively.

  • Do I need to have service experience for this program?
    No. This is open to anyone with an interest in the role.

  • Do I need to have previous campaign experience?
    Not necessarily – you need to either complete our Call Time Manager Boot Camp (application is available here) or have at least 1 cycle of campaign experience lasting at least two months. 

  • I am interested in running for office myself. Should I attend this program?
    This is for people who want to work as staff on campaigns. Though they may also want to run for office one day in the future, this program is not geared towards being a candidate. Looking to start your journey exploring questions about running for office? Please apply for our program Answering the Call.

  • Am I guaranteed a job if I complete this program?
    The short answer is no; we can’t guarantee that all graduates of this program will get a job as a Finance Director. The longer answer is that we have created this program because we understand many campaigns are struggling to find staff for this role, and they may be excited to meet the individuals we train. Already have a job? We highly encourage people currently fulfilling this role and campaign managers who do not have finance experience to apply.

  • Will I get paid as a Finance Director?
    Yes. In general, political campaigns do not pay a lot of money, but within the context of political campaigns, this is a well-paid position. The finance team are often among the first positions hired and the last positions fired when campaigns are low on resources. We will discuss all of this in more detail as part of the training.

  • Is there a fee for this program?
    No; there is no cost to participate.  

  • Should I still apply if I can’t attend both sessions?
    No. You need to be able to attend the full program to participate.

Still have questions?  Reach out to Lucy Arthur-Paratley.