The Facts on Women and Giving
Women's Giving to Federal Candidates in 2006 and 2008
|
|
2006 Election Cycle, Congressional Races (complete two-year cycle) |
2008 Election Cycle, Congressional Races (as of July 28, 2008) |
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Women’s share of individual hard money contributions to candidates, political action committees and party committees |
27% |
27% |
|
Women’s share of single or combined contributions of $1,000 or more |
28% |
27% |
Note: Data provided by the Center for Responsive Politics
However, the presidential primary races show that women - while still a distinct minority of contributions - are increasing their participation quite significantly.
- Women's overall giving almost tripled from $37 million in 2000 to $115 million in 2004.
- Women have already contributed $109 million to the two presidential nominees with months of giving to go.
- Women contributed a staggering $60 million to Senator Hillary Clinton's presidential bid (a full 49.8% of her total donations).
Women have long been noted as "active small dollar donors."
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And a snapshot of three 2006 Congressional races showed that women made up between 36% - 42% of their small donor pools, significantly higher percentages than women command in the larger donor crowd.