In an attempt to help fill its lagging coffers, the struggling Rhode Island Republican Party has turned to “cause” marketing.

GOP supporters received an email from a sales representative named Devin Connors, and two volunteers of the party asking for supporters to purchase Avon products. A portion of the money would then be donated to the state Republican Party.

“Exciting news!” states the email. “Avon has partnered up with the RIGOP for a fundraiser. Not only are you helping to donate to a great organization, but you are getting top of the line products.”

The email asks supporters to purchase makeup and other assorted beauty products by July 27. It asks for checks to be made out to Connors and sent to a 38 Vanstone Ave, Warwick or the Rhode Island GOP Headquarters, located on Post Road.

Cause marketing is a tactic used by companies that pledge to donate a percentage of their proceeds to a popular cause or charity.

Buy a product. Help a cause. Feel good about yourself in the process.

But it’s seldom, if ever, that the marketing tactic is used to support political organizations.

Coffee mega-chain Starbucks is a popular cause marketer. The company promises to donate a portion of their profits to help the environment.

Devin Connors, a Warwick resident who envisioned the idea, said Avon encourages its sales representatives to use cause marketing. She will pledge donations to an organization helping animals later this year.

Connors, however, refused to say just what percentage of her sales would be sent to the party.

“I know, but I’d rather not say,” she said.

But Republican Party State Chairman Giovanni Cicione said that the party had little to do with the fundraising endeavor, and doesn’t officially sanction it.

“I really don’t know much about it,” said Cicione.

“That’s just one volunteer acting on her own trying to sell a product and raise some money for the party.”

Cicione said he made it clear to the volunteers that the GOP would accept the donations, but not be involved.

“What I told her was that as long as the donations were from her personally and as long as it’s within campaign finance limits, than we would be OK with it,” said Cicione.

Cicione said he took issue with some of the language in the email calling it a “partnership”.

Cicione said he had limited knowledge about the Avon fundraising effort. Instead, he preferred to plug the PORK-U-LUS fundraiser that will take place on July 26, in North Kingstown.

The event, run primarily by volunteers, one of which, Doreen Costa, is listed on the Avon email, will protest Congress knack for pork barrel spending. Adults who attend the event will be asked to donate $30.

“We’ve seen our volunteers increase from about 30 or 40 last year to well over 200 this year,” said Cicione.

According to their latest report filed with the state board of elections, the party could use some extra cash. The GOP had only $13,704.82 as of the end of the last quarter, which ended March 31.