ActBlue Civics is the 501(c)(4) arm of the left-of-center pass-through political action committee ActBlue and its 501(c)(3) pass-through affiliate ActBlue Charities. ActBlue Civics functions as a fundraising platform that facilitates donations to other 501(c)(4) left-leaning activist organizations.[1]
Overview
The ActBlue website was launched in 2004 by Ben Rahn and Matt DeBergalis as a fundraising platform for left-wing nonprofits, liberal political candidates, and Democratic-aligned PACs.[2] ActBlue Civics was formed eight years later in 2012.[3] According to its own estimates, ActBlue has helped to raise $2.4 billion for its clients since its creation.[4]
ActBlue is divided into three components, each of which deals with a specific type of donation. ActBlue Non-Federal deals with PAC contributions, ActBlue Civics manages contributions to 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, and ActBlue Charities manages contributions to 501(c)(3) nonprofits.[5]
In addition to publishing its list of clients on its website for donors’ ease-of-use, ActBlue also stores contributors’ credit card information, which “reduces the friction involved in filling out donation forms to a single click.”[6]
ActBlue provides grassroots fundraising software that allows its clients to maximize their impact. These tools are available on all three of their platforms.[7] ActBlue also “run randomized experiments to increase the efficiency of its donation forms.”[8]
Clients
Act Blue Civics has served a number of left-of-center 501(c)(4) clients, including the Center for American Progress Action Fund, American Civil Liberties Union, America Votes, National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Democratic Socialists of America, Alliance for Justice Action Campaign, MoveOn.org Civic Action, Priorities USA Action, and Demand Justice.[9]
Outside Funding
In 2012, Act Blue Civics received $7,500 from the Tides Foundation.[10]