Biden’s campaign offers perks to donors
WASHINGTON — Joe Biden’s campaign finance team is offering a range of perks to its biggest fundraisers, promising invitations to events with the president and Vice President Kamala Harris, participation in Zoom meetings with campaign staff or other perks depending on how much money people have bring in.
A breakdown of the benefits shows that the highest tier with the most generous benefits is that of “Biden-Harris Presidential Partner,” which applies to those who raise $2.5 million by collecting checks from other donors, which is known as “ “Bundling” is referred to as “bundling”.
Those campaign supporters are entitled to four tickets to a “special event” with Biden and Harris in Washington, D.C. in July 2024, according to a copy of the benefit sheet seen by NBC News. The “partners” are also eligible for four seats at a Biden “meeting” in Chicago following his speech at the Democratic nomination convention in August 2024.
They will also be offered access to quarterly meetings of the campaign’s national finance committee and lunch with leaders of the Biden-Harris campaign and the Democratic National Committee, among other benefits, the list shows.
It’s not uncommon for presidential campaigns to offer such incentives in hopes of boosting their fundraising revenue. In 2012, the title was launched by then-President Barack Obama’s campaign “Obama Victory Trustees” for those who have taken in contributions of at least $100,000. In return, these bundlers were allowed to participate in conference calls and campaign meetings.
This week, some of Biden’s re-election campaign fundraisers met in Chicago, a way the Biden camp is keeping its trusted donors engaged and motivated.
Biden’s finance team also created lower tiers for those who contribute smaller total amounts. Each of these levels comes with benefits, although not as generous.
For example, a member of the Biden-Harris “Leadership Circle” must raise $1,250,000. However, instead of getting four seats in the special event with Biden and Harris, these supporters will get two.
A “Biden-Harris Major Shareholder” must raise $750,000; a “founding partner,” $400,000. At the lowest level, “Member of the National Finance Committee,” a supporter must raise $46,000 in campaign funds by the end of the year. In return, these supporters will receive, among other things, access to an event with Biden, an event with Harris, and weekly emails with campaign updates.
Donors received a copy of the contribution amount during a meeting of the National Finance Committee at this week’s meeting in Chicago. This meeting was followed by a preview of the Democratic National Convention, held for state party chairs and business leaders from across the country.
While the Biden campaign is offering incentives to those who pool donations, it is also rolling out new incentives and messaging to encourage smaller donors to give. One ongoing effort is to recruit 1,000 new fundraisers by January to bring in donations in the $250 to $1,000 range.
With no major primary or Democratic debates on the schedule, the Biden campaign will have to find other ways to motivate donors, a person close to the campaign said in an interview. Campaign officials and veteran fundraisers said they expect fundraising to become much easier in the new year as Republicans choose their candidate.
