Alicia Farrant has transferred more than $19,000 left in her failed campaign for Orange County school board chair to Impact Nations, the Christian charity she runs with her husband.
Campaign finance records show that $19,215.25 was paid to the organisation on September 30, after Ms Farrant lost the August 18 election. The money had remained in her campaign account following the contest.
Impact Nations is operated by Ms Farrant and her husband, Jonathan, and supports projects in Latin America, including an orphanage in El Salvador, a men’s addiction recovery facility and a wig-donation programme for children receiving cancer treatment.
What Florida law says about surplus campaign funds
Florida law gives candidates 90 days after withdrawing, losing or becoming unopposed to dispose of money remaining in their campaign accounts. Permitted options include returning funds to donors, giving money to a political party or government body, or donating it to a qualifying charitable organisation.
However, the law says a candidate may not be employed by a charity receiving surplus campaign funds.
Tax records reviewed in connection with the donation show that Ms Farrant has not reported receiving an income from Impact Nations. Her husband, who serves as the organisation’s president, received $33,000 in 2024, $42,000 in 2023 and $56,000 in 2022, according to the charity’s filings.
Cliff Shepard, a Florida attorney, said holding an office in a non-profit organisation did not necessarily mean that Ms Farrant was an employee. University of Central Florida political science professor Aubrey Jewett said the transfer appeared likely to be lawful, while acknowledging that donating campaign money to an organisation run by the candidate could raise ethical questions.
“A fairly popular choice among many candidates is to donate the money to charity or various charities,” Professor Jewett said. “It’s not as common to donate that money to a charity that you yourself started and are an officer of and helped to run.”
He added that household finances could become relevant even where only one spouse was paid by the charity, because income received by one partner could still contribute to the family budget.
“Whether it’s coming in from my paycheck or my spouse’s paycheck is still maybe potentially going to help the household budgets,” he said.
Farrant says money will support orphanage
Ms Farrant defended the decision, saying supporters were pleased that the funds would be used for an orphanage project in Latin America.
“The funds are designated specifically for the orphanage and will be used to help us prepare and welcome children who are needing a home, safety, and love,” she said.
Impact Nations was founded in 2012 and carries out missionary and charitable work in Guatemala and El Salvador. Ms Farrant serves as its vice-president, while her husband is president.
The transfer was made after Ms Farrant, who remains an Orange County school board member representing District 3, failed in her bid to become the board’s chair. Florida’s campaign finance rules allow candidates to donate surplus funds to a registered charity, provided the statutory conditions are met. ([flsenate.gov](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0106.141))
