Bernie Sanders claims to have the largest grassroots network in presidential history, even though it wasn’t enough to topple the Clinton Democratic powerhouse. Sanders earned millions in small-time donations, two-thirds of his total outside funding.
Since small-dollar donors don’t have to register their names, it’s been difficult to understand where Sanders’ money comes from and from whom. But thanks to a fundraising tool called Act Blue, we now know that Bernie Sanders may have an indirect public funding conduit: 30% of his small-time donors are unemployed.
Think of it as an investment of sorts. Some of the out-of-work donors are on disability, welfare or Social Security. Sanders promises major expansions of all of those projects. So a little here and a little there could ensure a lot more public money flows to these individuals in the future. As one “investor” put it: “I know very well now what it’s like to be a have-not, both financially and physically, and to fall through the cracks of society. Bernie Sanders is running on a platform to lift up the have-nots and to improve the system of government we have, so that no one will ever be left behind.”
In the grand scheme, though, it’s a pretty poor investment: It’s likely that if you have enough disposable income to donate to Sanders’ campaign, he doesn’t consider you a “have not.”
According to at least one recent graduate the LA Times spoke to, Sanders also appears to be pulling in money from millennials still living at home. Based on an analysis of ZIP codes on Act Blue, it’s clear Bernie is much beloved on the West Coast, especially in Hollywood, Beverly Hills and San Francisco, which is really not surprising. Also not surprising, he doesn’t do well on Wall Street (only about 2% of his donations came from the finance sector).
