— Crossroads GPS is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization, a name that comes from the IRS tax code. This means they can raise and spend up to 49 percent of their funds to attack a candidate, but cannot contribute directly to a campaign, or advocate for a particular candidate.
— Unlike a super PAC, donations to nonprofits can remain completely anonymous. Super PACs must disclose the names and amounts of all donations either once a month, or once a quarter.
— The two Crossroads organizations represent the biggest forces in political influence. They hope to raise $240 million total during the 2012 election cycle, a figure that would more than double the current amount already spent: nearly $109 million (as of April 20th).