Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the VEA Fund for Children and Public Education?

  • The VEA Fund is the political action committee (PAC) of the Virginia Education Association. It works to elect candidates to state and statewide offices who are champions of public education and share the VEA’s policy priorities. The VEA Fund recommends candidates based on local PAC recommendations in the various legislative districts across the Commonwealth and uses funds raised to support those candidates and ensure their electoral success. To earn the VEA Fund’s recommendation, candidates must submit a candidate questionnaire, interview with the appropriate committee, and receive the final vote of approval by the majority of local PAC representatives.

• What is the primary goal of the VEA Fund for Children and Public Education?

  • The primary goal of the VEA Fund is to elect a majority of pro-public education candidates to office in Virginia’s General Assembly and statewide offices, thus building more power to advance and defend the values of public education advocates across Virginia. To do this, the VEA Fund solicits and accepts donations from VEA members, retired members, and members of the public who share the same vision for delivering a quality public education to every child in Virginia, regardless of where they live.

• Who can give to the VEA Fund for Children and Public Education?

  • Any supporter of public education who shares the VEA Fund’s values and vision can donate. Per Virginia law and for campaign finance purposes, donors must disclose their name, address, occupation, and employer at the time of their donation.

• How does the VEA Fund for Children and Public Education use the donations it receives?

  • The donations received by the VEA Fund are used to elect pro-public education candidates to office. This means making direct contributions to recommended candidates’ campaigns and making expenditures to spread public awareness of the values and priorities they represent. Political campaigns are expensive. This means the VEA Fund’s work to elect public education champions through financial support is even more meaningful. Further, it ensures the policy priorities of public education advocates remain at the forefront of candidates’ campaigns. Electing more public education champions to office will allow advocates to stop playing defense and work offensively to address the many challenges our public educators and students face today.

• What is the easiest way to support the VEA Fund for Children and Public Education?

  • Monetary contributions are the best way to support the VEA Fund’s work. You can make a one-time donation, or you can sign up to make a monthly contribution to sustain the VEA Fund’s long-term efforts. You can contribute today by clicking the “donate” button on this page.

• How is the VEA Fund for Children and Public Education governed?

  • The VEA Fund is governed by an Executive Committee composed of one elected representative from each Congressional District, two elected at-large members, one member from VEA-Retired, and the VEA President and Vice President, serving as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. To be elected to the Executive Committee, one must be a VEA member or retired member and must be a contributor to the VEA Fund. Elections are held annually, and members of the committee serve two-year terms. The Executive Committee oversees all funding, recommendation strategies, and decisions. Final votes on candidate recommendations, however, are cast by designated persons from local PACs across Virginia.