Elections powered by you. Matched by us.
The NYC Matching Funds Program gives everyday New Yorkers a real way to hold leaders accountable. It matches your contributions with funds so candidates can focus on the communities they serve - not just the wealthiest donors.
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New York belongs to the people. Teachers, nurses, taxi and delivery drivers, small business owners. We're the ones who keep the city running. The ones who make this city what it is. As everyday New Yorkers, we want accountability from our leaders. Do they understand what's happening in our neighborhoods? We elect leaders who say they'll fight for us. But too often in local politics, special interests spend millions to buy influence. The result?
When campaigns are supported by big money, leaders are accountable to them, not everyday New Yorkers. But here in New York City, regular people can come together and make sure leaders are accountable to us. How? Through the city's matching funds program. Here's how it works. Anytime a New Yorker makes a small contribution to a candidate running for city office, we match their contribution and multiply it by eight. So, a $10 contribution becomes $90 the candidate can spend on flyers, events, and other ways to reach voters.
The matching funds program makes it easier for all New Yorkers to run for office, easier for people to support the candidates they believe in, and harder for big money to influence elections. This means you don't need to be wealthy to run for office and win. And you don't need to donate millions to make a difference in the political campaign you believe in. The matching funds program makes it easier for all New Yorkers to run. And we help New Yorkers elect leaders who are accountable to the people.
We examine every dollar raised and spent in local elections to make sure candidates are following the rules and playing fair. When candidates have to disclose where every dollar comes from, voters can see who is supporting campaigns. When everyday New Yorkers come together, we can build power to win big change. Our small contributions can make a huge difference. Because of the matching funds program, even an unknown candidate can run for office and win. So get the word out. And remember, voting isn't the only way to have a say. Learn more at nycvotes.org/matchingfunds.
What is the Matching Funds Program?
It takes your small contributions and multiplies them.
- For every contribution up to $250, the program matches it at an $8 to $1 rate. So, if you contribute $10 to a candidate, we give $80 of public funds. The campaign then gets $90, which helps pay for costs including staff or campaign materials.
It gives you a chance to run.
- Running for office shouldn’t be about who has the most money. It should be about who wants to make the biggest impact and help the most people.
Why is the Matching Funds Program important to NYC?
The Matching Funds Program:
- Helps New Yorkers run for office.
- Ensures your hard-earned dollars go further.
- Means candidates answer to you.
- Bolsters transparency around campaign fundraising and spending.
- Gives your voice power beyond the voting booth.
- Creates a government as diverse as the people it represents.
Did you know? With the support of the New York City Matching Funds Program, the City Council elected in 2021 was the most diverse in the city’s history, including the first-ever majority of women on the Council.
Every small donation counts — the city matches contributions to empower community voices.
How to contribute to the Matching Funds Program
First, a candidate running for Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough President, or City Council raises the minimum amount necessary (table below) to join the Program.
| Office | Minimum Raised Funds | # of Donors |
| Mayor | $250,000 | 1,000 |
| Public Advocate, Comptroller | $125,000 | 500 |
| Borough President | $10,000 – $54,721 | 100 |
| City Council | $5,000 | 75 |
Then, a New Yorker like you contributes directly through the campaign or through us.
Did you know? The average contribution in the 2025 election cycle was about $160. But no contribution is too small!
So, you contributed. What now?
Every campaign that receives public funds must provide details on how the money was spent, which lets you keep track of every dollar of campaign spending.
At the CFB, our goal is to make sure candidates are accountable to New Yorkers and that public funds are spent responsibly.
But don’t just take it from us. You can track contributions and more with our Follow the Money tool.
Where Does Public Money Come From?
In NYC, when New Yorkers contribute to local candidates, their contributions can be matched with public funds. The City of New York provides these funds, and they represent less than 1% of the total city budget.
It's a small investment in a more transparent and accountable democracy. Because matching funds come from public dollars, every New Yorker helps support the program. That means we all have a stake in how the money is spent.
How Campaigns Use Matching Funds
Candidates may only use matching funds to promote their campaign. These funds cannot be used for personal expenses under any circumstances.
Matching funds help candidates connect with voters and run fair, transparent campaigns.
Funds may be used for:
- Advertising (TV, radio, digital, and social media)
- Renting office space
- Printing, postage, and campaign literature
- Paying campaign staff
- Fundraising and voter outreach events
- Travel and community event participation
- Legal and compliance costs
- Childcare for children under 13 (with approval)
- A single post-election thank-you event
How Campaigns Can't Use Public Funds
Public funds can't be used for personal or non-campaign items, such as clothing, haircuts, or personal grooming; rent or home expenses; tuition or childcare without approval; cars, club memberships, or entertainment tickets; and gifts over $50.
The Campaign Finance Board reviews every expense through a rigorous audit process to ensure spending is ethical and campaign-related. Candidates must show exactly how the funds were spent and return any remaining funds.
Those who break the rules or owe money from past campaigns can't receive new matching funds until they resolve any outstanding issues.
How Candidates Are Held Accountable
When a candidate joins New York City's Public Matching Funds Program, they agree to follow clear rules and spending limits based on the office they are running for.
Participating candidates also agree to publicly disclose who they accept money from and how they spend it. You can see how campaigns are using public funds with our Follow the Money tool.
The Evolution of the Program
The Matching Funds Program didn't happen overnight. For over 30 years, New York City has pioneered ways to amplify the voices of everyday residents. As the city has changed, the program has evolved to meet the needs of a more diverse and engaged electorate.
See how we’ve grown from a modest start in 1988 to the most powerful small-dollar matching system in the country today.
