While the actual swearing-in on the West Front of the US Capitol is a taxpayer-funded ceremony overseen by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, other splashy events surrounding a new president taking the oath of office are privately funded and afford an opportunity for those with interests before the government to build goodwill with an incoming administration. The identities of donors who contributed $200 or more will become public 90 days after the event when the nonprofit committee that fundraises for the inauguration files a report with the Federal Election Commission.“Money is a way of building relationships in Washington,” said Michael Beckel, research director of Issue One, a bipartisan political reform group. “Everyone is racing to make friends. The incoming president has a lot of power and being able to get in on the ground floor through a large contribution to his inaugural committee is a way for megadonors and corporate interests to be currying favor with the administration.”