2020 Fundraising in: First Quarter  |  April  |  May  |  June/Second Quarter

May 2020 Fundraising

ed. note: May saw a record haul for Republicans, $74 million, but Democrats brought in more, $80.8 million.  Mention of the big $14 million day from June in the RNC release is a bit of a distraction.  Republicans still have an advantage in cash on hand.

Republican National Committee

June 20, 2020

After Record May, Trump and RNC Grow Cash Advantage Over Biden

WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) today announced that Donald J. Trump for President Inc., its authorized joint fundraising committees, and the RNC raised $74 million in May, a record for the month, bringing the total haul cycle to date to over $817 million.  The joint entities continue their tremendous cash on hand advantage, with $265 million cash on hand.  
 
The Republican war chest continues to dwarf that of Joe Biden and the Democrats. The latest data available for the Biden campaign shows a cash on hand sum of just $100 million. Biden’s May fundraising numbers show that even though May was Biden’s first full month as the Democrat nominee, and with that brought advantages of higher fundraising limits and the full weight of the Democrat Party, Biden was still unable to make a dent in the massive cash on hand advantages that the Trump campaign and RNC enjoys.  
 
In May, fundraising for the RNC and Trump campaign surged, raising over $12 million more than April, highlighting the continued enthusiasm behind President Trump’s re-election campaign as the Great American Comeback ignited and the American economy is being revitalized. On Sunday, the RNC and Trump campaign saw its single largest online fundraising day ever, raising $14 million online in just 24 hours, corresponding with President Trump’s birthday. The average donation was just $46 dollars.
 
“President Trump's consistent leadership and unprecedented actions during this challenging time has undoubtedly resonated with the American people.  Support across the country continues to pour in, helping us to build an unparalleled operation that will deliver victories up and down the ballot in November.” – RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel
 
“After yet another massive fundraising haul, it remains clear that the enthusiasm behind President Trump’s re-election campaign goes unmatched.  While Sleepy Joe Biden lobs ineffective partisan attacks from the shadows of his basement, President Trump is leading The Great American Comeback and he is drawing support from every corner of this country.”–Trump 2020 campaign manager Brad Parscale
 
The RNC and Trump campaign are investing unprecedented sums into powering the largest field program and data operation in Party history which boasts over 1.3 million volunteers trained and activated, and has made over 45 million voter contacts.  The RNC recently announced the hiring of additional 300 field staffers, bringing the total Trump Victory operation in target states to over 1,100. 
 
After not missing a beat during the coronavirus and transitioning to virtual field operations, Trump Victory has resumed in-person campaign activities in states that allow, wrapping up a highly successful National Weekend of Action where volunteers and staff made over 3 million phone calls to voters and knocked on over 266,000 doors in one weekend alone. This is in stark contrast to the Biden operation which still remains largely contained in his Delaware basement.

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Biden for President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
June 15, 2020

Biden for President and Joint Committees Raise $80.8 Million in May 

Grassroots Support for Biden Grows, Number of Online Donors Has Tripled Since February
Today, Biden for President (BFP), the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and their joint fundraising committees announced that they raised a combined $80.8 million in May. Even as the country faces crises surrounding the economy, public health, and racial injustice, the campaign’s grassroots support has strengthened. More than half of donors in May were new and the number of online donors has tripled since February. In the last few weeks, more than 1.5 million new supporters have joined our campaign.
 
“I’m humbled and honored that you have put your trust in me as your presumptive Democratic nominee. And I’m incredibly honored by the support I’ve received from you all,” Vice President Biden wrote to supporters. “Just a few months ago, people were ready to write this campaign off. Now, we are making huge dents in Donald Trump’s warchest. Every single dollar is going to make sure he is only a one-term president.”
 
Below is the full message Vice President Biden sent to supporters:
 
These last few weeks have shown that we are a nation furious at injustice. We feel it in our bones; we see it in our streets.
 
On top of that, COVID-19 is still a threat. We’ve crossed the mark of over 115,000 deaths -- 115,000 people whose lives were cut down too soon.
 
I understand this. I feel this. A little more than three months ago I stood on stage in South Carolina and told the American people that ours was a campaign for everyone who has been knocked down, counted out, and left behind. Folks, those words are even more significant today than they were back then.
 
People are looking around and not recognizing our country. So many feel knocked down by the public health and economic crisis we are weathering. So many feel counted out and left behind by a society that has for too long viewed them as less than equal, their lives as less than precious. And so many feel left behind by an economy that works well for the wealthiest but leaves workers behind.
 
I’ve said from the outset of this election that we are in a battle for the soul of this nation. Who we are. What we believe. And maybe most important ‑‑ who we want to be.
 
It’s all at stake. That is truer today than ever. And it’s in this urgency we can find the path forward.
 
I’m humbled and honored that you have put your trust in me as your presumptive Democratic nominee. And I’m incredibly honored by the support I’ve received from you all.
 
I’m proud to announce that last month -- with your support -- and the support of so many others -- we raised $80.8 million, with an average online donation of $30 to our campaign.
 
Here are a few more stats I hope will make you proud:

  • More than half of our donors in May were new donors.
  • Educators continue to comprise the largest occupational group for our donor base.
  • We have more than tripled our number of online donors since February.
  • And in the last few weeks, we’ve seen over 1.5 million new supporters join our campaign.
I understand what these dollars mean. When facing uncertainty and recession, you chose to back me. I will never forget that. And I promise that when I’m president, I won’t let you down. Together we’ll bring real change. As I’ve said many times, this is the United States of America. And there’s never been a single thing we haven’t been able to do -- when we’ve done it together.
 
I’m in awe of this sum of money. Just a few months ago, people were ready to write this campaign off. Now, we are making huge dents in Donald Trump’s warchest. Every single dollar is going to make sure he is only a one-term president.
 
Let’s keep up that pressure. If you can help us keep up this pace, I may give you a call to thank you myself.
 
This email is long, but I want to end with two more words: thank you. Thank you for everything you did to support this campaign in May. We wouldn’t be where we are now without you, and I’m grateful to you from the bottom of my heart.
 
Let’s go win this thing,
Joe

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Biden Campaign Virtual Fundraisers Through May 11

[source: pool reports]

May 11 - hosted by David Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President, Comcast.  (150 attendees)

May 8
- high dollar virtual fundraiser with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic strategist David Plouffe to benefit Biden Victory Fund.  (upwards of 775 attendees)

May 6 - hosted by Richard “Rick” Chesley, Managing Partner at DLA Piper.  (100 attendees)

May 5 - hosted by Ellen Goldberg Luger of the Minnesota Foundation and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar.  (625 attendees)

May 1 - Obama administration and campaign alumni.  (2,200 attendees)