NVCA Today

Support VenturePAC in 2008 Fundraising Drive

Rarely has the National Venture Capital Association been involved in as many legislative and regulatory challenges as we have faced in 2008. The new Democratic-led Congress originally intended to focus on issues such as the war in Iraq and children's healthcare. Instead, throughout 2007 and 2008 attention quickly turned to tax reform with a focus on private equity, throwing our industry into a battle on the future of capital gains tax treatment and carried interest. Alongside this fight, the NVCA dove into increasingly divisive patent reform and SBIR discussions and advocated for major new energy legislation which contained important incentives for clean technology investment.

The strong support for VenturePAC from such a broad array of NVCA members has been a critical component in our success in what was clearly a watershed year for the venture capital industry. We received PAC donations from 84 NVCA-member firms for an aggregate contribution level of $721,000. For a relatively small industry association, this total represents one of the strongest funded PACs in Washington. We also continue to be one of the most respected PACs in Washington, known for contributing to members of Congress, opposition candidates and open seat candidates from both political parties all across the United States.

This year our messages resounded on Capitol Hill as NVCA reached out to more lawmakers than ever before, emphasizing the unique role of venture capital in the nation's economy, job creation, and innovation. These contributions are unparalleled and cannot be made by other asset classes. For this reason, members of Congress sought our industry's views on a variety of important issues including patent reform, small business development, pension fund investment, healthcare reform and of course, carried interest tax issues. And, we built relationships with an entirely new set of lawmakers as we expanded our clean technology presence and communicated the unique and critical role that venture capital is playing in the development of renewable energy technology.

As always, VenturePAC is bipartisan and exists to support lawmakers and candidates who advance the goals of the venture capital industry. By supporting VenturePAC, you are electing Members of Congress who will fight for the interests of entrepreneurs and venture investors in the United States.

VenturePAC's Annual Fundraising Drive commenced on September 2, 2008 and will be ongoing through the end of the year. We encourage all NVCA Member Firms to contribute to VenturePAC. Contribution forms will be mailed out to members in September. Questions about VenturePAC contributions should be directed to Molly Myers at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .