I. Eligibility for Matching Funds and $25,000 Public Financing Grant

• A candidate must establish a campaign committee with the City Clerk's office, meet requirements to appear on the ballot, and run in a contested election*.
• At any time before the 60th day before an election, the Mayoral candidate must submit a signed Candidate Contract and Affidavit to the Democracy Fund Board:
• Agreement to campaign contribution and expenditure limitations.
• Raise the threshold of qualifying contributions: contributions of between $10 and $390 from 200 distinct New Haven registered voters
• Not be in default to the city of New Haven
• Agree to participate in at least one public forum per election
• Limit use of personal funds to no more than $20,000

III. Expenditure and Contribution Ceilings and Restrictions for Primary or General Election

Qualifying Requirements:

• $400 - Maximum contribution from individuals (per cycle). Participating campaigns may not accept contributions from businesses or political action groups.
• $5,000 - Minimum total contribution threshold
• 200 - registered New Haven voters
• Grants and matching funds will be given only after there are two campaign committees for Mayor which raise or spend more than $5,000 (this constitutes a “contested election” under the Ordinance definition).
• Grant Amount: $25,000 (per cycle)
• Matching Funds: 2-to-1 match on the first $35 contributed by registered New Haven voters (minimum $5).
• Expenditure Cap: $400,000 (per cycle)

If a candidate not participating in the matching funds program spends more than the expenditure ceiling of $400,000 (per cycle), then participating candidates who have reached 85% of the expenditure ceiling can either (1) have an additional $25,000 grant (per cycle), or (2) have their expenditure ceiling lifted. A candidate who chooses to have his or her expenditure limit lifted may raise contributions in excess of $400 from individuals and party committees, but must continue not to accept contributions from political committees and business entities, and will receive no additional matching funds after spending $400,000.

Please visit the Forms and Downloads page to find necessary filing documentation to receive funding. 

*A contested election is one in which there are two candidates who have raised or spent more than $5,000.00 during an election cycle (Primary or General).