At Ford Motor Co. in Michigan employees are prohibited from displaying political signs in their offices or using company equipment to create or distribute partisan material or to solicit for political donations.

CNN: Workers divided on office politics

It's also become more common for individual web sites to solicit donations for all sorts of big requests - from supporting the families of Sandy Hook victims to fixing one's mangled mouth.

BBC: Crowdfunding etiquette: How to give wisely

The Flynns hired investment banker Credit Suisse First Boston to solicit bids for the license.

FORBES: The Big Money Pit