So I was thinking, wouldn’t it be great to set up a quick and easy way to thank all the Democrats who bucked leadership and voted “no” on DeLeo’s crummy racino bill? And of course, Act Blue is the way to do that. Through a series of magical incantations and God knows what else, Act Blue has managed to get itself set up to handle state as well as federal candidates in Massachusetts. What could be easier — set up a page with the names of the 33 Dems who voted “no,” and ask people to chip in a few bucks as a “thank you” gift. If you don’t like casinos, you would have gone for that, wouldn’t you? Of course you would have.
Well, off I go to set up my “NoSlots” page on Act Blue, only to discover that of all those 33 reps, only one of them (the forward-thinking Carl Sciortino) is set up to receive donations on Act Blue. Foiled!
But this should serve as a wake-up call both to incumbent state reps and to candidates: get yourself signed up with Act Blue. There’s some paperwork, but it’s not too bad, and it is well worth your trouble. Act Blue is an amazing fundraising tool, and you need to be taking full advantage of it.
Good job pointing out how this great tool isn’t being used, and I was truly stunned to see that one person who really should know better at this point doesn’t seem to have learned much of a lesson from her recent defeat. I’m speaking, of course, of this:
<
p>
<
p>Is Coakley planning another stealth candidacy? I know the Republicans haven’t dredged up anyone to challenge, but nobody thought Scott Brown would win, either.
Under Mass campaign finance laws you can only use Act Blue by signing up for a merchant account thru them.Their fees are a bit higher (can be up to 5%) and the process is a pain. That’s why you don’t see many state candidates doing this.
but it’s well worth it. A little paperwork for the best grassroots fundraising tool in existence? No-brainer.
is 5% too and way more of a pain for users. Other online fundraising tools can probably get to be more expensive than 5% if politicians and political groups aren’t careful. Personally, I think a 5% expense would be well worth it… you’d spend a much larger percent expense sending out a mailer or hosting a major fundraiser (both of which can end up costing a lot of money and take up a lot of time).
<
p>Obviously, the cheapest way to fundraise is to phone call, but even that has expenses — endless hours of your time. Opportunity cost, my friend. A 5% hit is well worth not having to spend more hours trying to find who those people are who are willing to donate to your campaign because of your support for X issue or because they like you. If you having an Act Blue account helps you get someone to be willing to donate to your campaign at a 5% cost, that’s much better than someone deciding not to donate to your campaign at 100% cost because you didn’t make it easy for them.
You also don’t have to pay 25 bucks a month for a separate merchant account and all the other associated fees.
I love raising money with ActBlue! Since I started using ActBlue I have raised $23,127 with a total of 214 donations! Yes, some of those donations are my own, but it makes it so easy to fund raise. While some people find it hard to ask for money, it is the check chasing and the tracking that annoys me.
<
p>It makes it so easy to give as well. I have an “express” account. When I saw the BMG thermometer today and the fact that BMG was trying to raise money, I just couldn’t stop myself. I was donating money, not a lot. But everything adds up.
<
p>Oh! I missed a chance! I should be saying if I raise just another $1,873 I will have an even $25,000!
<
p>No time like the present. Support the no slots vote and donate to Carl and help me hit my $25,000 goal. Or donate to Tim Murray and help celebrate Kate Donaghue Day (seriously!).