Program Overview

The New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) was created by the Campaign Finance Act (the Act) in 1988. The Act requires that all candidates comply with contribution limits and disclosure requirements. The Act also established the Campaign Finance Program (the Program). Candidates who join the Program also agree to comply with strict expenditure limits, and in return they become eligible to receive public matching funds for their campaigns, based on contributions they raise from NYC residents.

The Act is designed to:

1. Provide easily accessible and comprehensive information on candidates’ campaign finances.
2. Make candidates and elected officials more responsive to New York City citizens, rather than special interests.
3. Reduce the opportunity for campaign contributors to influence candidates and elected officials.
4. Provide a means for credible candidates who might not have access to “big money” to run competitive campaigns via a matching funds program.