Get Your Raise On! Introducing Our Newest Product Offering Built for Down-Ballot Campaigns
Last week at Netroots Nation in New Orleans, we had the privilege of introducing something we’ve been working on for months: Raise by ActBlue, a streamlined fundraising platform purpose-built for down-ballot candidates and smaller campaigns.
The response was overwhelming. From the pre-keynote speech where CEO Regina Wallace-Jones unveiled Raise to hundreds of progressive leaders, to our panel discussion on building local campaign playbooks that win, to the dozens of live demos at our booth – the energy around this launch reinforced two things we already knew: (1) the progressive movement is hungry for tools that meet campaigns where they are; and (2) local races are critically important to winning back this country.
Why We Built Raise
For over two decades, ActBlue has been the backbone of Democratic fundraising, processing more than $17 billion for democratic campaigns and progressive causes. But as we’ve grown, we’ve heard a consistent message from down-ballot candidates: they need something simpler, faster, and more accessible than our full platform.
Local candidates running for city council, school board, or state legislature often operate with small teams, tight budgets, and limited time. They don’t need every bell and whistle – they need to get online quickly and start raising money immediately so they can focus on what matters most: connecting with voters and winning their races.
That’s exactly what Raise delivers.
What Makes Raise Different
Raise takes everything that works about ActBlue’s trusted infrastructure and reimagines it for the next generation of progressive leaders. It’s the same secure, reliable platform that millions of grassroots supporters trust, but streamlined for ease of use, faster onboarding, and better mobile access.
Key features include:
- Quick setup: Get your fundraising page live in minutes, not days
- Mobile-first design: Optimized for candidates and donors on the go
- Trusted security: Built on ActBlue’s proven, secure infrastructure
The platform launches with competitive pricing designed specifically for smaller campaigns raising less than $25,000, ensuring cost never becomes a barrier to participation in our democracy.
The Down-Ballot Imperative
During our Netroots panel, “Win in ’26: Building Your Local Campaign Playbook,” we heard from incredible leaders like North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton, Crooked Media’s Shaniqua McClendon, and Trestle’s Penélope Cuevas about the critical importance of local races.
As Anderson noted, North Carolina Democrats just ran candidates in nearly every legislative district – a testament to what’s possible when we invest in the infrastructure that supports local campaigns. These races have a direct impact on our daily lives, from public transportation and school curriculacurriculums to library programming and local policy decisions.
With fewer voters participating in down-ballot elections, each vote carries even more weight. Yet historically, these campaigns have faced significant barriers in accessing the same quality tools available to national campaigns. Raise changes that equation.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The 2026 midterms represent a massive opportunity to strengthen progressive power at every level of government. Our goal is ambitious but achievable: support 50,000+ candidates and causes by 2026, ensuring that anyone who wants to run has access to professional-grade fundraising tools. As Shaniqua McClendon shared, there are so many local offices that go vacant, despite the criticality of these seats. So, if you’re thinking about making a difference in your community, let this be the sign (and the tool) that you’ve been waiting for – get started with Raise today!
Thank You, Netroots Nation
We’re grateful to everyone who stopped by our booth, attended our sessions, or joined us for karaoke (yes, Regina sang). The conversations we had affirmed our belief that when we provide accessible tools to local leaders, we strengthen democracy itself.
The feedback from Netroots attendees – from seasoned campaign managers to first-time candidates – is already shaping Raise’s development. This is just the beginning of an ongoing conversation about how technology can better serve the progressive movement.
The Start of Something New
Raise represents ActBlue’s evolution and marks a new chapter of innovation for our product line – we’re taking what we’ve learned from more than two decades of Democratic fundraising and applying those insights to meet the specific needs of smaller campaigns and grassroots movements.
Raise is powered by ActBlue’s battle-tested security framework—trusted by millions of donors and thousands of campaigns—with the same robust fraud protection and data security that major campaigns rely on nationwide.
Ready to Get Your Raise On?
Whether you’re planning to run for office, managing a local campaign, or supporting candidates in your community, Raise by ActBlue is designed to meet you where you are so you can focus on meeting the moment.
Learn more and sign up for Raise, here. Have questions? Our team is here to help you get started.
Because when we make fundraising accessible for everyone, we make democracy stronger for all of us.
Interested in learning more about campaign technology and fundraising best practices? Sign up for our upcoming webinar series covering everything from recurring donor programs to digital fundraising optimization.
Interested in running for office? Check out Vote Save America.