By the people, for the people.

Namrata Mujumdar
Nov 1 · 4 min read

2020 is coming. We’re on the edge of our seats. Full of anticipation, perhaps excitement, maybe some dread. FUND:THIS will give everyone something to do about those feelings.

Ever since I learned about the role of money in politics almost 20 years ago, I became obsessed. I didn’t understand how a democracy “by the people, for the people,” could be bought by large donations. Even after campaign finance reform in 2002 to today, things have gotten worse.

How much worse?

In the United States of America, billionaires are pouring money into Super PACs. Their money gives them the ability to have an out-sized influence on elections. After working at the highest levels of government as an appointee in the Obama administration and as a policy advisor on Capitol Hill, I saw how big money played a role in what legislation made it to the House and Senate floor. I was a close witness to how big money affected people’s trust in elected officials.

It turns out that when you have a government that is funded by wealthy individuals or corporations, it’s harder to solve problems that impact people’s lives.

Imagine a world where this isn’t the case. Imagine an election system in the U.S. where small, individual donors like you and me can have an outsized impact. Think it’s impossible? At FUND:THIS, we see an opportunity to make it possible.

Today, the youngest people across the world are fed up. Here in the U.S., people as young as 11, like Ethan Vandivier, are leading climate change protests on the National Mall. Young people want to make systemic change. They don’t care about excuses; they want actionable change.

Voters between 18 and 29 turned out in historic numbers in 2018. With 2020 coming, we now need to help digital natives and millennials play in the political big leagues. That means giving them the tools to direct financial support to political campaigns and organizations that are devoted to their causes.

Before 2004, political donations were collected on paper and yet 15 years later, with innovations in digital peer-to-peer engagement and collaboration (think Tik Tok) and data-driven shopping experiences (Amazon, Google, and others), it’s hard to understand why political donation tools have not kept up. The simplest answer may be that campaign finance laws are complex, and marketing politics as a product can be a minefield. The barrier to entry for any tech-savvy innovator is high if you don’t have over a decade of experience in this world.

The solution = FUND:THIS

Enter FUND:THIS. Last year, we launched a donation experience that gave new, but enthusiastic, political donors a powerful mechanism to support first-time candidates in swing districts.

Let me reiterate: people who have never donated before funded first-time candidates in swing districts.

Screenshots of our pilot, last year.

In today’s political landscape, that’s incredibly powerful, and that was only our pilot. Our pilot tested whether we could help build trust between those who need money with those who want to help — and it worked.

Political organizations like Blue Uprising are using our new platform that promises to deliver a deeper, more engaging experience that will empower users to discover where they can take action and how to move the needle on issues they care about. With 2020 in sight, this platform will help engage voters and provide an easy way to support presidential primary that speak to their issues. The candidates and organizations that use FUND:THIS will get audience analytics and data-driven tools to help them market themselves to like-minded supporters, whether they be established or first-time voters.

Current product

In 2020, we can live in a world where people take back control and fund a government that solves everyone’s problems, not one dictated by a select few with deep pockets. FUND:THIS is made for those who are on a quest for more representative and committed government leaders.

Take Action Today

Check out our first fund in 2019 for Blue Uprising, a political organization helping Phil Hernandez win his race in Virginia this Tuesday. Every $1 donated can help them reach 100 voters (talk about a return on investment!).

Want to stay in touch and see what people use FUND:THIS to do next? Sign up for our email list. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Interested in fundraising on FUND:THIS? Email me directly at namrata@amppolitics.com.

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