The financial steering committee received $28,817 in July—the second-highest monthly collection yet—to bring the year’s total to $303,840. Supporters’ groups in 20 cities systematically organized to collect pledges from more than 330 individuals each month. The party confidently relies on these regular contributions as part of its annual operating budget.

This campaign has been a challenge for the local supporters’ groups, who back the party financially and through volunteer work as part of the Pathfinder Print Project, the effort which makes it possible to keep in print and circulate Pathfinder’s books (see August 11 Militant).

The $300,000 fund-raising campaign required a great deal of political attention and organization by supporters in local areas. Over the course of the last year, a range of supporters increased their individual monthly pledges. Local groups reached out broadly to individuals who are not organized supporters but identify with the SWP politically, and expanded the number of contributors, while maintaining the steady, monthly collection of all pledges.

Each local supporters group assigned a financial director. Some designated financial committees to keep in touch with contributors and collect pledges. The steering committee met regularly to assess its progress and to guide the effort.

Communication organized through these structures was a key ingredient in the effort’s success. The steering committee sent out monthly letters outlining the progress and challenges of each stage of the campaign. In many places, local letters were also sent out to contributors to keep them up to date with the effort.

When it became clear in April that collection of the pledges was falling behind and a back debt began accumulating, the financial steering committee initiated a back-debt collection campaign. Supporters responded quickly and with enthusiasm. In just two months the debt was significantly reduced. Supporters groups paid serious attention to the task at hand, including organizing regular communication with contributors and maintaining accurate records.

In July, with just eight days left before the end of the one-year campaign, $18,832 had been received in Seattle or posted on the nationwide database as collected by local financial directors. More than $6,000 was needed to make the goal. The steering committee sent out a letter alerting everyone “of what is necessary to bring home the $300,000 in the last eight days of this campaign.” The response was immediate and, in many cases, already underway. The steering committee, which takes responsibility for receipting and depositing the contributions, issued daily notices to mark the progress toward the goal as the checks continued to flow into Seattle. On August 2 the campaign came to a victorious conclusion, three days before the deadline.

After reaching this milestone, efforts are now focused on maintaining and expanding this financial base. The next goal is to win 20 new contributors and raise the monthly amount pledged by an additional $1,250 by January 1. This translates into an annual total of $315,000 that the SWP can count on from its supporters’ monthly donations. It will be put to good use in taking advantage of openings to advance the party’s work in the labor movement, in defense of the Cuban Revolution, and other arenas of mass work.

If you’d like to make a regular financial contribution to the Socialist Workers Party, e-mail Sara Gates at sjgates@comcast.net  
 
 
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