Why Should I Join?

The voluntary Campaign Finance Program helps candidates run competitive campaigns whether or not they have access to “big money”, giving New Yorkers greater choices at the voting booth.

The most common reason candidates join the Program is the opportunity to receive public funds. Contributions from individual NYC residents are eligible to be matched at a $6-to-$1 rate.  This means that for every dollar contributed by an individual NYC resident, a participating candidate could receive $6 in matching funds, for a maximum of $1,050 per contributor. The matching funds program encourages participants to seek small contributions, and reach out to a greater number of their prospective constituents.

Under the Program, small contributors can have a very big impact on a candidate’s campaign coffers! In 2009, 76% of the candidates on the ballot for the primary or general election participated in the Program, and the CFB distributed over $27,000,000 in public funds.

Candidates also join the Program to demonstrate their commitment to good government and to limiting the influence of money in politics.

For citywide candidates, the public exposure offered by the CFB debates and the opportunity to appear on equal footing with potentially better known opponents is a compelling motivation.  These debates help educate voters and allow modestly funded candidates to reach a wider and more diverse audience.