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PAC FAQs

The Pennsylvania Psychological Political Action Committee (PennPsyPAC) plays a vital role in advocating for the advancement of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association's (PPA) mission:

  • Communicate the value of evidence-based and ethical practice to the public, policymakers, and PPA members.
  • Support the lifelong learning of competent and ethical psychologists.
  • Promote and connect PPA members to foster a vibrant community of professional psychologists.

As a political action committee, PennPsyPAC has the ability to:

  • Make contributions to elected state legislators and candidates who support psychology's priorities.
  • Host Advocacy Day in Harrisburg, where psychologists meet wit their state senators and representatives to champion legislation important to the practice of clinical psychology.

By supporting PennPsyPAC, you help ensure psychology's voice is heard in shaping policies that affect mental health care and the profession.

Donate to PennPsyPAC!

Frequently Asked Questions about PennPsyPAC

What is a PAC?

PAC stands for Political Action Committee, established and administered by corporations, labor unions, membership organizations, or trade associations. These committees solicit contributions from individuals associated with the sponsoring organization. Pennsylvania state law prohibits corporate contributions.

Background on PennPsyPAC

The Pennsylvania Psychological Political Action Committee (PennPsyPAC) is PPA’s bipartisan political action committee, dedicated to supporting candidates who advocate for public access to psychological services.

  • Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, including a chairperson and treasurer.
  • Receives contributions from individuals and other PACs. Corporate contributions are prohibited.
  • Pools funds from psychologists across Pennsylvania to support candidates for the Pennsylvania General Assembly and other statewide offices who prioritize mental health issues.

Note: Contributions to PennPsyPAC are not deductible for state or federal tax purposes.

How can I contribute?

You can contribute to PennPsyPAC in the following ways:

  • Personal check
  • Personal credit card
Why contribute to PennPsyPAC?

Pennsylvania psychologists are directly affected by laws developed by elected officials. Contributions to PennPsyPAC help:

  • Elect candidates who support access to psychological services.
  • Fund campaigns for legislators who advocate for mental health issues.

Campaigns are expensive, and your contributions ensure mental health remains a priority in policymaking.

Do PPA membership dues pay for PennPsyPAC?

No. By law, the Pennsylvania Psychological Association cannot make political contributions on your behalf. All political contributions must be made personally and voluntarily by psychologists.

Who contributes to PennPsyPAC?

Voluntary contributions come from:

  • PPA members
  • Occasionally, other PACs 
Who decides which candidates should receive PennPsyPAC financial support?

The PennPsyPAC Board of Directors makes final decisions on candidate contributions based on:

  • Recommendations from PPA members
  • Candidates’ votes on key issues
  • Alignment with mental health priorities
How will I know what happens to my contribution?

PennPsyPAC ensures transparency by:

  • Listing endorsed candidates on the PAC section of the PPA website.
  • Making all contributions public, as required by law.
Can I claim an income tax credit or deduction for my contribution?

No. Political contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income taxes.

What if I already give directly to candidates?

That’s great! However, contributing to PennPsyPAC ensures psychology in Pennsylvania speaks with a unified voice. Contributions pooled from many psychologists enable PennPsyPAC to make larger, impactful contributions on behalf of the profession.

Will you give to a political party I do not support?

PennPsyPAC is bipartisan and does not support candidates based solely on party affiliation. Decisions consider:

  • Integrity and character of the candidate
  • Leadership position and committee assignments
  • Support for mental health issues
  • Opposition faced in upcoming elections
What if I cannot afford it?

Every contribution counts, no matter the size. Your participation in the campaign fund is more important than the amount you give. Remember, supporting PennPsyPAC helps advocate for public access to psychological services — psychologists cannot afford to stay on the sidelines.