Sagac 2024 Cycle Trends Study

Chad Taylor, Head of Strategy and Planning, Sagac Public Affairs

Every two years since 2004, Sagac Public Affairs has conducted a national benchmarking study to better understand the practices, performance, and priorities of political action committees across the country. We created this study for PAC professionals — because that’s who we work with, and that’s who we are. 

The 2024 cycle brought no shortage of challenges and changes to the political landscape, and our latest study reflects how PACs have adapted. We surveyed and interviewed professionals from major corporations and national trade associations, gathering data to identify trends, shifts in strategy, and emerging best practices. 

If you’re in the business of running, growing, or improving a PAC, this report is built for you. 

We don’t do this study just to collect data for data’s sake. We do it because context matters. Trends over time help tell the story of what’s working, what’s changing, and what’s next. Comparing your program to others like it can give you a clearer picture of your strengths, your blind spots, and where you might go from here. 

This study isn’t a test — it’s a tool. It’s here to help you validate what’s going well, inspire improvements, and spark new ideas with real-world examples from your peers. It’s also a resource to support conversations with your leadership, board, and stakeholders. When you need to make the case for a strategic shift or more resources, benchmark data can be a powerful ally. 

This report was never meant to sit on a shelf. It’s a working document — a guide you can reference throughout the year. Whether you’re presenting to your PAC board, setting goals for the next cycle, or looking to revamp your communications plan, we hope this benchmarking report gives you the data you need to act with confidence. 

The feedback we hear from clients and colleagues every cycle shapes the questions we ask and the way we present the findings. If you’ve participated in this study, thank you. If you’re using it to reflect, evaluate, and grow — thank you again. 

PACs are under more scrutiny and pressure than ever, but they’re also more important than ever — especially for organizations that care about shaping the policies that affect their industries and communities. The more we understand how PACs function nationwide, the better we can equip one another to succeed. 

View or download the full 2024 PAC Benchmarking slide deck.