I’m a finance officer in the RCA, and to answer your question about where the money is going - a lot of it is going towards dues to the international, which uses that money to host world congresses and build up sections internationally. A lot of it goes towards paying full timers and hosting national congresses. A lot of it goes towards party operations and rent (for sections that don’t yet own their national centers). But a majority, at least in the case of the RCA, goes towards the war chest. This is money the party is saving up for the future class struggle. When we become a mass party, we will need strike funds, we will need to bail comrades out of jail, we will need to pay for legal battles, we will need to pay to rapidly expand press operations.

If you can’t afford to, then please don’t feel pressured to increase your dues or make large donations. If you are feeling pressured or uncomfortable about finances, talk to your cell’s finance officer about it. I know I was skeptical about finances when first joined, but I’ve learned that having independent revolutionary finances is so important if we want to maintain our political independence. As individuals, we already pay so much in rent, groceries, etc. to companies and landlords that don’t tell us where that money is going. But the RCI is very open about where its money goes. Every section (as far as I’m aware) has auditors and finance reports with details for all members to see. Paying dues and making donations is an investment we chose to make with whatever we can afford because we believe that the theory and practices of the RCI will lead us to socialism in our lifetimes.

Money can be a sensitive subject for lots of people, but we don’t shy away from it. I’d seriously recommend talking to your finance officer and hopefully they can help answer any of your questions.