Caging Services

Streamlined, Compliant Contribution Processing

Caging refers to the process of collecting mailed-in donations from the U.S. Post Office, processing payments, updating mailing lists, and providing necessary FEC compliance services, including serving as the legal custodian for bi-annual mailings.

Accurate and timely processing of contributions in compliance with FEC regulations provides a significant strategic advantage for state and national political organizations. Crimson for PACs enables committees to capitalize on this advantage by simplifying and streamlining contribution management.

Twice-Yearly Solicitations

With decades of FEC compliance expertise, the Crimson for PACs team is fully prepared to meet the regulatory requirements of serving as legal custodians for bi-annual solicitations. Our team handles contribution transmittals, maintains the required records, communicates updates, and manages donors’ giving history directly within Crimson for PACs.

Efficiently Manage Your Mail

Our inbound caging process is designed for speed and precision, giving your team access to funds more quickly. Crimson for PACs operates a purpose-built caging facility with trained staff to ensure contributions are processed accurately and in full compliance with FEC and state regulations. With Crimson, your mail program can:

  • Manage sudden spikes in mail volume

  • Handle exception or non-compliant contributions

  • Securely process credit card donations

  • Fulfill donation returns

  • Address other unexpected circumstances

High Standards of Security

Crimson for PACs provides total chain-of-custody tracking and archival of every contribution received in our on-site, secure facility using biometric access, video surveillance, and 24-hour manned security. Contribution forms with credit card information are opened in a PCI-secure environment. Cash contributions are handled under very strict procedures, and caging work is recorded by security camera. 

Experience & Training

Crimson’s teams are led by experienced full-time, tenured supervisors, who are seasoned by the pressure of the high-volume and intense scrutiny of recent political cycles. 

Scalable Staffing

Crimson’s systems and staffing levels are scalable to the fluctuating volumes of response. We understand the importance of maintaining a high-velocity, fundraising process to assure that money received each morning is available for use quickly, which is usually the next day. Since Crimson is often involved on the frontend by generating output for fundraising solicitations, we can anticipate the timing and volume of mail and adjust staffing levels accordingly.

Expect Speedy Deposits

During the height of the political season, Crimson’s caging department can process up to 100,000 pieces of mail every 24 hours. This ensures your donations are deposited within hours of receipt. Using Check 21 technology, deposits are made electronically for faster access to funds, and digital check images are linked to contribution records in Crimson for future reference.

Assured Compliance

Crimson excels at performing FEC-compliant caging services for committees and political organizations. Our caging systems are designed to identify contributions which cannot be accepted or require special handling, and staff are trained to recognize and categorize contribution issues and code for problem resolution. 

Fast & Reliable Data Entry

The professional data entry department at Crimson has a long track record of handling extraordinary volume during busy campaign seasons. The caging and data entry processes happen in a continuous flow as each contribution moves through the operation.

Crimson’s Caging Process

1. Receiving

Mail is retrieved from a local post office box, on an agreed upon schedule, or packages can be forwarded to our facility directly. Once mail is picked up, the “chain of custody” begins.

2. Processing

  • Mail is opened and sorted according to your specifications.

  • “Exception” contributions, donations that cannot be deposited due

  • to check or compliance problems, are identified and forwarded to our

  • compliance team.

  • Contributions over the amount designated by client are pulled for review.

  • Bank deposits and batches are prepared for data entry.

  • Funds are electronically deposited.

3. Scanning

  • Checks are scanned and digitally archived.

4. Data Entry

  • New donation records are created or existing records are updated in Crimson.

  • As each record is keyed, it is checked against possible duplicate records already on

  • Credit card donations are manually processed in a PCI-compliant manner.

5. Archival

  • All physical documents submitted by donors are archived for three years.

  • All data is backed up to tape on a rotating schedule of backups and stored off-site in vaults for a certain period of time.

  • All data entered into Crimson is also archived to a secure cloud.