IMPACE (Independent Minnesota Political Action Committee for Education) was begun by the Minnesota Education Association (a teachers' union) around 1967 as a bipartisan organization to increase political activity among educators; to play a more active role in governmental policies relating to education; and to affirm the importance of political action in these matters. The board of directors was composed of sixteen individuals representing both major political parties.
To promote their objectives IMPACE raised funds through voluntary member contributions, which were used to support candidates committed to education and to screen potential candidates for local, state, and national offices.
In 1979 changes in the Federal Elections Campaign Act required that the name of a separate segregated fund established by a labor organization must include the full name of the parent organization. Because IMPACE fell into this category the name was changed to IMPACE-MEA in July, 1980.
From the guide to the Johnson IMPACE-MEA papers, 1973-1981., (Minnesota Historical Society)
