Kentucky Account Setup Checklist

Congratulations on running for office in Kentucky!

You will need to file a Letter of Intent with KREF and pick a Treasurer. KREF has details below.

https://kref.ky.gov/efile/Pages/default.aspx

You will need to apply for an EIN. As a political campaign, you will file reports with KREF and not the IRS. Your EIN is needed for a bank account.

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

Go to your local bank, with your EIN, and setup a new bank account.

If you need a domain name, we recommend using https://domains.google/ or https://www.name.com/ Any other providers may cause delays in setting up your account or require a person with knowledge of DNS records.

We recommend Squarespace if you need a website and a “theme” to get started. If you have a web designer that wants to use WordPress, BlueHost and WPEngine are both great hosting providers. WIX and Weebly tend to cause the most issues for various issues.

Most campaigns use GSuite, and if you use Squarespace you can manage your GSuite account through SquareSpace. GSuite has a limit of 2,500 emails a day to send, it should not be used for fundraising “email blasts”

If you are using ActBlue, invite actblue@camapigndeputy.com to your account and we will setup our integration from there.

Campaign Deputy can be used as your CRM, Digital Tool and help you with your KREF filling process.

https://signup.campaigndeputy.com/signup

Campaign Deputy team will provide you with the necessary DNS records to add to your domain.

You will receive an email with your login credentials. Most likely it is in your Promotions tab.
You should upload your logo at Settings->Digital and add in your campaign’s brand colors, Paid for by message.

If you are using our Contribution Forms, Settings->Contribution Forms will need your logo and contribution page colors, and disclaimer as well.

Once DNS is verified, under Message Center->Templates->Auto Responses you should setup a Thank you email for anyone who gives. You can use the First Time Contribution template to set this up.

Next, upload your Circle of Friends and current contacts at People->Import. It’s important that your data is formatted correctly. You can view more details at (link to import best practices)