Introduction
Introduction: The Candidate’s Mission
Accepting Your Nomination
Part I: Deciding to Run
Next Steps After Acceptance
Part II: Building the Campaign
Building Your Campaign
Part III: Strategy and Budget
The US Worker Pledge
Part IV: Outreach and Media
The People’s Primary
Part V: Timeline and Survival
Part VI: Winning and Governing
Exploiting Major-Party Primaries
Clean Slate 28 Strategy
The 99-Cent Revolution
Movement Defense
Your Role in the 2029 Congress
Participants1
Chapter 4: Fundraising — The 99-Cent Revolution
RandellHynes July 20, 2026
Chapter 4: Fundraising — The 99-Cent Revolution
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- The full chapter text is included below on this page — scroll down to read.
- Candidate Survival Guide by Randell S. Hynes — Chapter 4
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Lecture Topics
- The 99-cent contribution model: theory, psychology, and mechanics
- Small-dollar donor strategy and building a sustainable recurring donor base
- Digital fundraising tools: ActBlue, NGP, and email campaigns
- FEC reporting requirements for contributions and expenditures
- Call time, events, and the fundraising calendar
- Why rejecting corporate PAC money is a feature, not a bug
Discussion Section
How does the 99-cent model change the power dynamic between a candidate and donors? What digital tools will you use, and what is your monthly fundraising goal for the first quarter? Discuss the messaging advantage of being a “no corporate PAC money” candidate.
📖 Full Chapter Text
The complete chapter from the Candidate Survival Guide by Randell S. Hynes is included below for your reading.
.uninc-lesson
Fundraising — The 99-Cent Revolution and Small-Dollar Mastery
This is the heart of the book and the movement. Corporate PACs and big donors buy Congress. We are building the counter: thousands of workers giving $0.99–$100 recurring. It is sustainable, incorruptible, and scalable. Examples from the progressive left (AOC, Bernie, Cori Bush) prove small-dollar can power House wins. We adapt it to worker-first, cross-partisan Clean Slate candidates.
4.1 The Philosophy and Math
From UNINCORPORĀTUS: The 99-Cent Revolution is the funding engine. One worker giving $0.99/month = sustainable power. 10,000 workers at $5/month average = $50k/month recurring. Scale to 50,000+ donors and you have a serious congressional war chest without selling your soul.
Realistic targets for a competitive House race in this model:
- $300k–$800k total for a strong primary challenge in a favorable district.
- $1M–$2M+ for a true toss-up or open seat (still possible with volume).
- Goal: 60–80%+ from individuals under $200, heavily recurring. Zero corporate PACs.
4.2 Tools and Platforms
- ActBlue or custom (viausfunding.com / peopleprimaries.com style) for online donations and recurring.
- Email (Mailchimp or higher) and SMS (Twilio or Scale to Win style) for asks.
- CRM/Database: NGP VAN or cheaper alternatives for tracking donors and voters.
- Website with prominent donate button and recurring options. Make the pledge and amendment vision front and center.
4.3 Proven Small-Dollar Tactics (Tested and Adapted)
Early Seed Phase (Pre-Announcement):
- Personal network ask: Call/text/email 100–200 people you know. Script: “I’m running to fight for workers like us. Will you give $25 or set up $5/month recurring to launch this?” Aim for $20k–$50k in 30–60 days.
- House parties / small events: 10–20 people, $500–$2k per event. Candidate tells story, takes the pledge live.
- Workplace and union outreach: Target worker groups aligned with C.L.A.W.S. Act.
Launch and Scale Phase:
- Email/SMS list building: Every event, canvass, website visit = capture email/phone. Welcome series + monthly newsletter tying to book principles.
- Peer-to-peer fundraising: Train top donors/supporters to ask their networks. Provide scripts and tracking.
- Recurring asks: “Join the 99-Cent Revolution — $0.99 or $5 or $27/month powers real change.” Make it emotional and tied to the amendment fight.
- Urgency and storytelling: Tie every ask to a specific win (e.g., “Help us hit 5,000 donors before the primary filing deadline”). Use candidate videos, worker testimonials.
- Digital ads: Targeted Facebook/Instagram/Google to lookalikes of your early donors. Low cost per acquisition for small-dollar.
Ongoing Retention:
- Thank every donor personally (or via team) within 48 hours.
- Monthly impact updates: “Your $5 helped us knock 2,000 doors this month.”
- Upgrade path: Small donors → mid-level events → major (but still individual) donors.
4.4 What NOT to Do
- Never take corporate PAC money if you signed the pledge — it destroys credibility with the base.
- Avoid high-dollar call time early; it burns out the candidate and signals the wrong priorities.
- Do not rely on party committees or Super PACs — they come with strings and dilute the message.
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