re: Large Companies Asking Employees for PAC Donations

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If corporate dollars can't go to the PAC then how can they match my donation? And how can they legally refer to it as charitable?

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Because the charitable match, as it's called, is literally just a charitable corporate contribution to an IRS-qualified charity organization. The money is not going to the PAC or (directly or indirectly) to a candidate; rather, it's going to the charity.

A company can decide to make a charitable contribution for many reasons. Maybe they want to help a cause, maybe they like the publicity they receive for giving, maybe the CEO likes a particular charity or cause. All valid and legal reasons for a company to make a contribution to charity.

So too is a decision by the company to contribute corporate dollars to a charity in order to help motivate its employees to join the PAC.

And many employees like the charitable match because they get to be the cause of a donation being made to a charity they like. Their decision to join the PAC allows money to be directed to the charity and the employee doesn't have to spend any money - the company makes the contribution.

Win for all: 1) the PAC collects money, 2) the PAC funds are used to support candidates that favor the company's issues, 3) the employee helps his/her company and the charity, and 4) the charity gets contributions.