The world needs more women in politics. One significant obstacle women encounter in their political journey, besides the ones often publicized, is fundraising.

With two significant provincial and municipal elections coming up in 2024, the opportunity to have more women in politics is now. Having a clear roadmap for financing a political journey and assembling a campaign team is often the confidence-building foundation women leaders need to take the step into politics.

In a recent presentation to an extraordinary group of women in Saskatoon, Lindsay Brumwell, ceo of LB Strategies, and Samantha Yaholnitsky, ceo of Momentum Strategies, led a thought-provoking discussion on political fundraising and campaign team building for women considering a run in politics.

Below are five key insights from the presentation for women and their volunteer leadership team while building fundraising and campaign teams.

The two metrics that matter most

In the realm of politics, only two metrics truly matter: 1) the money you raise, and 2) the total votes you receive on election day.

A well-executed fundraising strategy can do both, raising money and making a positive impact on the number of votes you receive on election day. Why? When you ask for a donation, you are essentially requesting someone’s vote.

Plus, words are often encouraging, but financial support is skin in the game and demonstrates a genuine commitment to your campaign, increasing the chance a supporter will leave a comfortable home, go to the polls, and vote for you.

Expect rejection

Many potential donors may not feel comfortable providing a donation to support a worthy candidate, regardless of gender or political alignment. Many people have preconceived notions about donating to a candidate or political campaign, so facing rejection is inevitable.

Don’t take it personally. Be authentic and transparent about your values and reasons for running. It won’t be easy but even those who disagree with you will be more likely to respect an authentic person. A few may even end up voting for you.

There is no magical way to raise money

Ideally, donors and those you approach will support your vision and align with your values. But that doesn’t guarantee they are willing to pay for it, which of course means raising money can be hard.

Position your donation request as an investment, not a handout. As a candidate, you are taking on the hard work, putting yourself out there, and embracing the associated risks and scrutiny. For women, the job of running for office can be even more daunting. So, don’t be shy about asking people to put their money where they want to see change happen.

Remember that you deserve the investment donors make in your campaign. Your confidence in your ability to make good on their investment will help people trust you and trust is critical to getting a donation and their vote.

Designate a trusted surrogate

To avoid asking for donations directly as a candidate, which can be awkward and may even create distrust, consider designating a surrogate on your team who will be responsible for soliciting financial contributions.

The role of the political fundraiser is often overlooked or skirted by volunteers because it’s hard to ask people for money. But funding requests shouldn’t be left to the candidate alone. Raising funds for a candidate is an essential task that should be fully supported and appreciated by the entire campaign team.

A competent campaign manager, treasurer, and candidate wing person are also crucial assets. But a competent and trusted political fundraiser is invaluable, increasing both dollars and votes.

Get professional advice.

When it comes to running for office, the workload often surpasses the available hours in a day or the number of volunteers. Having a professional with experience can help reduce the uncertainty and provide guidance on strategy, positioning, crisis management, and more.

For women considering running and the volunteers supporting them, LB Strategies can demystify the rules, dispel myths, and address the challenges associated with political fundraising. Contact us to learn more about how LB Strategies can advise your campaign.

To dig deeper into these insights, view the full presentation. 01-2024_BPW-LBStrategies