Republicans are launching an effort to cultivate young donors and hopefully turn them into long-term supporters.

It's called Maverick PAC, and it targets people who want to get involved in Republican politics, but can't afford to donate much money. For as little as $25, young professionals between the age of 20 and 40 can get access to events featuring high-profile Republican officials and candidates. The hope is the group will serve as a bridge until they can afford to give more.

From Roll Call:

Their goal for the 2012 election cycle is to donate a combined $200,000 to Republican candidates running in targeted House, Senate and gubernatorial races. The PAC raised an initial $1.5 million to get off the ground and hire a professional staff. The organization believes its ability to attract big GOP names to events shows that it has momentum.

Asked about the potential effect of Maverick PAC, a D.C.-based GOP fundraising consultant lauded the organization’s strategy of engaging young professionals. This consultant said the group could fill a void within the party, particularly if it can engage new donors and provoke other forms of party involvement. That could pay large dividends as those donors’ incomes rise and the value of their business connections increases, the consultant said.

However, the consultant cautioned against expecting Maverick PAC to become a major player in the world of PAC donations, given its focus on affordable, low-dollar events. “If the goal is to get young people involved and [get] them contributing, it will work. If the goal is to raise a lot of money,” it probably won’t, this fundraiser said. “But it sounds like a good idea.”