View source for Wayne County Campaign Contribution Search

= Guide to Searching Wayne County Campaign Contributions =

== Before You Start ==

# The current reporting period is pre-selected by default. You can search all contributions by changing it to "Select Contribution Period"
# Start with at least one filter - the system requires it
# Add more filters to narrow results
# Use the "Clear" button to reset all fields

== Search Fields ==

=== Contributor Filters ===

* '''Contributor Type''': Select the category of donor (individual, business, committee, etc.)
** Individual: Finding personal donations from residents
** Committee: Tracking PAC-to-PAC transfers
** Business: Monitoring corporate influence
** Labor Organization: Following union support patterns
* '''Contribution Type''': Choose the form of contribution (monetary, in-kind, loan, etc.)
** Monetary: Standard cash/check donations
** In-Kind: Finding donated office space, campaign materials
** Loan: Identifying candidates self-funding their campaigns
** Fundraiser: Tracking ticket sales for campaign events
* '''Last Name/Business Name/Committee Name''': Enter the contributor's name
** Last Name: Finding all donations from the "Smith" family
** Business Name: Tracking "Detroit Construction Co" and variations
** Committee Name: Following "Better Detroit PAC" donations
* '''First Name''': For individual contributors only
* '''Occupation Title''': Search by contributor's job title
** Tracking donations from all "attorneys" or "developers"
* '''Employer''': Filter by where contributors work
** Finding all employees from "General Motors" or "DTE Energy"

=== Committee and Office Information ===

* '''Committee ID:'''
** When you have the exact ID from another report
** Following a specific candidate's funding across elections
** Cross-referencing between different filing periods  '''Receiving Committee:'''
** Finding all donations to a specific campaign
** Comparing donations between rival candidates
** Tracking support for ballot initiatives  '''Office Type/Office/District:'''
** Office Type: Filter by type of office (mayor, council, etc.)
** Office: Select specific office within the chosen type
** District: Track donations in specific geographic areas  '''Committee ID''': Enter specific committee identifier if known

=== Time and Amount Filters ===

* '''Reporting Year''': Select the year of interest
* '''Reporting Period''': Defaults to current period, can be changed
* '''Date Range''': Set custom start and end dates. Helps when searching for donations around specific events
* '''Amount Range''': Search for contributions within specific dollar amounts

=== Special Filters ===

* '''Out of State Contributions''': Check this box to see only non-Michigan donors
** Tracking outside influence in local elections
** Identifying non-resident business interests

== Common Combined Searches ==

# Amount + Date Range + Employer:
#* Finding end-of-quarter corporate donations over $1000
# Contributor Type + Office + District:
#* Tracking PAC money in specific council districts
# Occupation + Amount + Out of State:
#* Finding large donations from non-local developers
# Date Range + Contribution Type + Committee:
#* Tracking in-kind donations during final campaign weeks

== Name and Employer Search Strategies ==
'''For Contributor Names:'''

* Try multiple spelling variations (e.g., "Steve," "Steven," "Stephen")
* Test different name formats:
** "McDonald" and "MacDonald"
** "O'Brien" and "OBrien"
* Use partial names to catch variations

'''For Employer Names:'''

* Try different versions of company names including abbreviations:
** "General Motors," "GM," "General Motors Corporation"
** "Blue Cross," "BCBS," "Blue Cross Blue Shield"
* Try adding and removing spaces ("G M," "B C B S")
* Search parent company and subsidiary names separately

'''Pro Tips:'''

* Do multiple searches with different variations
* Start with broader name segments to catch all variations
* Keep track of which variations you've tried