History of ActBlue in Timeline

ActBlue is a Democratic Party political action committee and online fundraising platform established in 2004. It serves as a crucial fundraising infrastructure for the Democratic Party, specializing in mobilizing small-dollar donors. As of June 2024, ActBlue has facilitated over $13.7 billion in contributions to Democratic candidates and causes since its inception. While organized as a PAC, it functions as a conduit for individual donations made through its platform, ensuring that the contributions are legally considered individual rather than PAC donations.

2004: ActBlue Founded

In 2004, ActBlue was founded by Benjamin Rahn and Matt DeBergalis.

2005: Rahn and DeBergalis joined by Zucker and Hill

In 2005, Benjamin Rahn and Matt DeBergalis were joined by Jonathan Zucker and Erin Hill at ActBlue.

2005: Raised $17 million for Democratic candidates

In the 2005-2006 campaign, ActBlue raised $17 million for 1500 Democratic candidates.

2006: Raised $17 million for Democratic candidates

In the 2005-2006 campaign, ActBlue raised $17 million for 1500 Democratic candidates.

August 2007: Raised $25.5 million

By August 2007, ActBlue had raised $25.5 million since its founding.

2007: Zucker becomes Executive Director

In 2007, Jonathan Zucker took over as the executive director of ActBlue.

2009: Hill replaces Zucker as Executive Director

In 2009, Erin Hill replaced Jonathan Zucker as the executive director of ActBlue.

2016: ActBlue Took in Nearly $800 Million

In 2016, ActBlue took in nearly $800 million in small-dollar donations.

2016: Clinton and Sanders Use ActBlue

In 2016, both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders used ActBlue during their primary and general election campaigns.

2018: Democratic Candidates Fundraised $1.6 Billion

In the 2018 midterm elections, Democratic candidates fundraised $1.6 billion through ActBlue's platform.

July 2019: ActBlue brought in $420 million

Between January and mid-July 2019, ActBlue brought in $420 million.

2020: Biden and Sanders Use ActBlue

In 2020, both Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders used ActBlue during their primary and general election campaigns.

2020: Fundraising Records Broken

In 2020, several fundraising records were broken, including single-day totals and donations following the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

2020: All Democratic Presidential Candidates Used ActBlue

In the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, all the candidates used ActBlue for fundraising.

2022: Brought in $20.6 million on day of Dobbs decision

In 2022, ActBlue brought in $20.6 million on the day the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

2023: ActBlue announced layoffs of 17 percent of staff

In 2023, ActBlue announced that it was laying off approximately 17 percent of its staff as part of a restructuring aimed at long-term financial sustainability.

2023: ActBlue expanded CVV verification

In 2023, ActBlue began expanding CVV verification.

2023: Wallace-Jones replaces Hill as President and CEO

In 2023, Regina Wallace-Jones replaced Erin Hill as the president and CEO of ActBlue.

June 2024: Raised $13.7 billion for Democratic candidates and causes

As of June 2024, ActBlue had raised a total of $13.7 billion for Democratic candidates and causes since its establishment.

August 2024: ActBlue expanded CVV verification

In August 2024, a spokesperson for ActBlue stated that they had begun expanding CVV verification in 2023 and were now requiring it for all new credit card donations.

September 2024: ActBlue lobbied against bill requiring CVV codes

In September 2024, ActBlue lobbied against a Republican-backed bill that would require CVV codes for political donations and prohibit contributions via gift cards or prepaid cards.

December 2024: Letter to ActBlue about Protecting Contributors

In December 2024, a letter signed by 142 consultants, campaign staff, and others was sent to ActBlue, urging the organization to better protect Democratic contributors from exploitation.

2024: Republican Officials Launch Probes into ActBlue

In 2024, Republican public officials in several states launched probes into ActBlue over allegations of donor fraud.

2024: Institute for Free Speech Sues the FEC

In 2024, the Institute for Free Speech sued the FEC over the discrepancy in disclosure rules between small donors using conduits like ActBlue and those making direct donations.