Biden Tapping Small Donors in Big Way Despite Lockdown

(Bloomberg) -- Joe Biden’s campaign has transformed the virtual fundraisers made necessary by virus-related lockdowns into a money machine, drawing in tens of thousands of small-dollar donations from supporters eager to engage with celebrities or Biden allies.

Biden pulled in $16 million from small donors in April, more than three times the $4.9 million President Donald Trump’s campaign raised in small amounts for the month. Hosts included breakout Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg, celebrity yoga instructor Kyle Miller and 1970s “Wonder Woman” star Lynda Carter. Campaigns report their May numbers to the Federal Election Commission on June 20.

Trump used his own star power to draw $14 million in online donations for his birthday on Sunday, breaking the campaign’s previous record and making it the largest haul of digital donations in a single day.

Trump’s broader re-election effort, including the Republican National Committee and a joint fundraising committee that supports both his campaign and the party, raised $36 million from small-dollar donors in May, according to a campaign official. Biden’s joint fundraising committee hadn’t been set up until late April, when it began cooperative fundraising efforts with the DNC.

Trump’s broader re-election effort, including the Republican National Committee and a joint fundraising committee that supports both his campaign and the party, raised $36 million from small-dollar donors in May, according to a campaign official who asked not to be identified because she doesn’t speak for the party. Biden’s joint fundraising committee hadn’t been set up until late April, when it began cooperative fundraising efforts with the DNC.

Unlike in-person fundraisers, which require travel, extensive planning and money to execute in strategically chosen locales, online events cost almost nothing to produce, allowing the campaign to innovate and take chances.

And “attendees” have easy access from their couch, leading to a bonanza of cash from people willing to chip in a few dollars to get some virtual face time with celebrities, Biden and his surrogates.

“It’s brilliant what they’re doing,” said Tony Coelho, a former member of Congress and a veteran bundler who also raised money for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign. He’s co-hosting a virtual event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act that he helped write. Jill Biden, Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Carter will also join the video conference. Tickets start at $25.

Biden campaign spokesman Matt Hill says donors, who are also solicited with emails, texts and digital ads, have stepped up their support as the coronavirus pandemic, its economic fallout and protests against racial injustice have roiled the country. “We have seen a groundswell of energy and enthusiasm from our grassroots supporters,” he said.

For example, a May 22 event with Biden and Buttigieg drew 36,000 people from all over the country and raised more than $1 million, with an average contribution of $26. Upcoming events with a low price of admission include conversations with policy experts and disability advocates, and a virtual yoga class called Joe-ga.

During the primaries, Biden’s campaign lagged behind rivals like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren in attracting those smaller, grassroots donations. Through the end of March, Sanders had raised $114 million from small-dollar donors, those giving less than $200, compared to $53 million for Biden, FEC records show.

Record-setting hauls

That’s changed since he’s become the nominee. The campaign now holds the single-hour and single-day record for raking in cash on ActBlue, the Democratic platform that caters to grassroots donors. The group wouldn’t say what Biden’s records were, but ActBlue can process millions of dollars in a short period of time. In 2016, Sanders took in $5.2 million in less than 24 hours after winning the New Hampshire primary.

Biden’s campaign has come a long way from its first virtual event, held on March 20 for New Jersey donors. After speaking for about 10 minutes, Biden said he was going to take questions -- but was informed that wasn’t technologically feasible. He suggested people send him questions and he’d call or email them with answers.

Biden’s team has made a concerted effort to reach out to the grassroots donors of his primary opponents, said an official of the campaign who asked not to be identified because he’s not authorized to speak on behalf of the campaign. Like Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, many of those former competitors have appeared in virtual events alongside the candidate.

Most of the events with marquee names have higher ticket prices. A fundraiser last week featuring Senator Kamala Harris that raised $3.5 million had a ticket price range of $500 to $100,000. Entry to an upcoming virtual conversation with former Attorney General Eric Holder and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez has a price range of $150 to $25,000.

Coelho says the low price of admission enables people with modest means to participate, something that couldn’t be done for an in-person event.

“They’re reaching out to the masses instead of a limited number of people,” Coelho said.

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