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Mega-Donors of the 2024 Election

In the high-stakes arena of the 2024 presidential election, the role of mega-donors—both individuals and organizations—has become more and more influential. As campaigns ramp up their spending on advertisements, rallies, and digital outreach, a select group of wealthy benefactors is exercising significant power through their financial contributions. These donors range from billionaire business magnates and industry leaders to political action committees (PACs) and special interest groups, all vying to shape the future political landscape according to their values and priorities.

We’ll dive into the deep pockets funding the campaigns of both parties, offering an inside look at who’s contributing millions to ensure their preferred candidate takes the White House. Whether it’s ideological loyalty, policy influence, or business interests, the motivations behind these contributions are as varied as the donors themselves. From individuals backing specific candidates to organizations funneling money into Super PACs, these mega-donors are playing a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the 2024 election, shaping the policies that will define America’s future. Information is pulled from the Washington Post and Federal Election Commission data.

Timothy Mellon

Timothy Mellon
  • Amount Donated: $165M
  • Party Lean: Republican
  • Occupation: Railroad magnate and heir

Timothy Mellon, heir to the Mellon banking fortune, is a conservative mega-donor who has contributed $165 million to the 2024 presidential election, making him the top donor. Known for his strong libertarian views, Mellon has primarily supported Republican candidates and Super PACs, donating $125 million directly to Donald Trump's campaign.

(Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Coinbase

Coinbase
  • Amount Donated: $91.1M
  • Party Lean: Both
  • Occupation: Cryptocurrency firm

Coinbase is a leading cryptocurrency exchange platform that enables users to trade digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. In the 2024 presidential election, Coinbase has contributed $91.1 million, mainly through its PACs and executives, to support candidates and policies favoring cryptocurrency regulation and blockchain innovation.

(TechCrunch/775208327GB00106_TechCrunch/CC BY 2.0 DEED/Flickr)

Empower Parents PAC

Empower Parents PAC
  • Amount Donated: $82.5M
  • Party Lean: Republican
  • Occupation: Republican-aligned state PAC

Previously known as "Friends of Ron DeSantis," this Florida state-level political action committee made a significant contribution of $82.5 million to a super PAC backing DeSantis’s presidential campaign in early 2023.

Octavio Jones/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Kenneth Griffin

Kenneth Griffin
  • Amount Donated: $75.7M
  • Party Lean: Republican
  • Occupation: Hedge fund manager

Kenneth Griffin, founder and CEO of the hedge fund Citadel, is a prominent conservative donor. He has contributed $75.7 million to the 2024 presidential election, primarily supporting Republican candidates and PACs advocating for pro-business policies and fiscal conservatism.

CNBC/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

Jeff & Janine Yass

Jeff & Janine Yass
  • Amount Donated: $73.9M
  • Party Lean: Republican
  • Occupation: Financier and education advocate

Jeff and Janine Yass are libertarian-leaning billionaires, with Jeff co-founding the trading firm Susquehanna International. Together, they have donated $73.9 million to the 2024 presidential election, primarily supporting candidates who advocate for free-market policies and school choice initiatives.

Jemal Countess/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Richard & Elizabeth Uihlein

Richard & Elizabeth Uihlein
  • Amount Donated: $70.7M
  • Party Lean: Republican
  • Occupation: Shipping magnates

Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein are the founders of shipping supplies company Uline and prominent conservative donors. In the 2024 presidential election, they have donated $70.7 million, supporting candidates and PACs that champion limited government, deregulation, and traditional conservative values. They have given $10 million to Donald Trump's campaign.

Paul Morigi/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Fund for Policy Reform

Fund for Policy Reform
  • Amount Donated: $60M
  • Party Lean: Democrat
  • Occupation: George Soros-linked nonprofit

Fund for Policy Reform is a nonprofit organization linked to billionaire philanthropist George Soros. It has contributed $60 million to the 2024 presidential election, supporting Democratic candidates and progressive policies focused on social justice, criminal justice reform, and economic equality.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Future Forward USA Action

Future Forward USA Action
  • Amount Donated: $55.9M
  • Party Lean: Democrat
  • Occupation: Democratic-aligned nonprofit

Future Forward USA Action is a nonprofit focused on advancing progressive policies and Democratic candidates. It has donated $55.9 million to Kamala Harris's presidential campaign by transferring funds to its FF PAC, the top super PAC supporting the current Vice President.

Montinique Monroe/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Ripple Labs

Ripple Labs
  • Amount Donated: $49M
  • Party Lean: Both
  • Occupation: Cryptocurrency firm

Ripple Labs, a prominent cryptocurrency firm known for its digital payment protocol, has donated $49 million total to pro-crypto PACs supporting both Republicans and Democrats. The contributions aim to support candidates and policies that favor cryptocurrency innovation and regulatory clarity.

Harry Murphy/Sportsfile/Getty Images

AH Capital Management

AH Capital Management
  • Amount Donated: $48.5M
  • Party Lean: Both
  • Occupation: Venture capital firm

AH Capital Management, a leading venture capital firm, has donated $48.5 million, largely giving to pro-crypto super PACs. In July, cofounders Marc Andreesen and Ben Horowitz endorsed Donald Trump.

(TechCrunch/TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2016 - Day 2/CC BY 2.0 DEED/Flickr; TechCrunch/775208326EC00097_TechCrunch/CC BY 2.0 DEED/Flickr)

Koch Industries

Koch Industries
  • Amount Donated: $43.3M
  • Party Lean: Republican
  • Occupation: Kansas-based industrial conglomerate

Koch Industries, a major multinational conglomerate with interests in energy, chemicals, and manufacturing, has donated $43.3 million to the 2024 presidential election. The contributions support candidates and PACs advocating for deregulation, lower taxes, and free-market policies.

Bloomberg/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Michael Bloomberg

Michael Bloomberg
  • Amount Donated: $41M
  • Party Lean: Democrat
  • Occupation: Former mayor of New York City

Michael Bloomberg, billionaire philanthropist and former New York City mayor, has donated $41 million. His contributions focus on supporting candidates and initiatives aligned with his progressive values and policy goals, funding PACs supporting Kamala Harris.

Bryan Bedder/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Paul Singer

Paul Singer
  • Amount Donated: $40.9
  • Party Lean: Republican
  • Occupation: Hedge fund manager and activist investor

Paul Singer, a prominent hedge fund manager and conservative donor, has contributed $40.9 million to the 2024 presidential election. His donations support Republican candidates and causes aligned with his fiscal and policy priorities.

CNBC/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

Robert Bigelow

Robert Bigelow
  • Amount Donated: $35M
  • Party Lean: Republican
  • Occupation: Hotel magnate

Robert Bigelow, owner of Budget Suites of America and founder of Bigelow Aerospace, has donated $35 million total to the presidential bid of Ron DeSantis and then Donald Trump. His contributions are directed towards supporting candidates and causes that align with his interests in space technology and business innovation.

(Michael Seeley/CRS-8 “WHAT’S ON BOARD” SCIENCE BRIEFING ON NASA TV/CC BY 2.0 DEED/Flickr)