The dataset contains descriptions for each column of historical campaign finance data available on data.sfgov.org or the Excel exports on the Ethics Commission's Campaign Finance Database at http://nf4.netfile.com/pub2?aid=sfoPlease note -- the column header names on different schedules of Form 460 often match, but sometimes have different meanings.

A. SUMMARY
Transactions from FPPC Forms 460, 461, 496, 497, and 450. This dataset combines all schedules, pages, and includes unitemized totals. Only transactions from the "most recent" version of a filing (original/amendment) appear here.

B. HOW THE DATASET IS CREATED
Committees file campaign statements with the Ethics Commission on a periodic basis. Those statements are stored with the Commission's data provider. Data is generally presented as-filed by committees.

If a committee files an amendment, the data from that filing completely replaces the original and any prior amendments in the filing sequence.

C. UPDATE PROCESS
Each night starting at midnight Pacific time a script runs to check for new filings with the Commission's database, and updates this dataset with transactions from new filings. The update process can take a variable amount of time to complete. Viewing or downloading this dataset while the update is running may result in incomplete data, therefore it is highly recommended to view or download this data before midnight or after 8am.

During the update, some fields are copied from the Filings dataset into this dataset for viewing convenience. The copy process may occasionally fail for some transactions due to timing issues but should self-correct the following day. Transactions with a blank 'Filing Id Number' or 'Filing Date' field are such transactions, but can be joined with the appropriate record using the 'Filing Activity Nid' field shared between Filing and Transaction datasets.

D. HOW TO USE THIS DATASET
Transactions from rejected filings are not included in this dataset. Transactions from many different FPPC forms and schedules are combined in this dataset, refer to the column "Form Type" to differentiate transaction types.
Properties suffixed with "-nid" can be used to join the data between Filers, Filings, and Transaction datasets.
Refer to the Ethics Commission's webpage for more information.
Fppc Form460 is organized into Schedules as follows:

• A: Monetary Contributions Received


• B1: Loans Received


• B2: Loan Guarantors


• C: Nonmonetary Contributions Received


• D: Summary of Expenditures Supporting/Opposing Other Candidates, Measures and Committees


• E: Payments Made


• F: Accrued Expenses (Unpaid Bills)


• G: Payments Made by an Agent or Independent Contractor (on Behalf of This Committee)


• H: Loans Made to Others


• I: Miscellaneous Increases to Cash

RELATED DATASETS

• San Francisco Campaign Filers


• Filings Received by SFEC


• Summary Totals


• Transactions

Campaign Finance - Public Funds Disbursed

The campaign finance database is the San Francisco Ethics Commission's repository for campaign finance filings. It can answer questions about who is contributing money, who is receiving money, and how it is being spent. Use the campaign finance database to research campaign contributions and expenditures reported on forms provided by the Fair Political Practices Commission. The database provides live access to the Ethics Commission's records. Filings are accessible once processed/posted by the Ethics Commission.Forms filed with the Ethics Commission can be downloaded in PDF format. Forms filed electronically can be searched and exported in Microsoft Excel format. The following Excel exports are available:- Excel file based on a search of itemized transactions up to 2,000 rows (Updated immediately, with the exception of FPPC filing deadlines -- within 48 hours);- Excel file by year or for entire life of a single committee (Updated immediately upon filing submission); and- Excel file by year for all committees in a single calendar year (Updated every 24 hours).