Victoria Guite

New York State Public Campaign Finance Matching Funds Program

About Matching Funds: The New York State Public Campaign Finance Program was voted into law in April 2020 with amendments and program structure changes passed in June 2023. The system, which covers statewide and state legislative offices, began allowing participation for state legislative candidates in the 2024 election cycle and for statewide offices in the 2026 election cycle.

Purpose: The purpose of the program is to increase the influence of small donors and reduce reliance on large contributions. It helps candidates of modest economic means to run for office. Candidates must reach a specific threshold of dollars raised from a specified minimum number of donors within the district to qualify for matching funds.

Threshold to Qualify: Sarah Wolcott’s campaign must raise at least $4,000 from at least 75 in-district individuals to qualify for PCF funding. NY Assembly District 139 includes all of Genesee and Orleans counties, along with portions of Monroe and Erie counties. Click here to find your NY Assembly District. If you are an out-of-district resident, your contribution is greatly appreciated even though it will not be matched by the PCF program.

Matching ratios: Contributions between $5 and $250 will be matched as follows when the Wolcott campaign reaches the qualifying threshold. Less than $5 will not be matched; $251 or more will not be matched.

Matching Ratios and Examples:

$5 to $50 will be matched 12 to 1:

• $5 gift generates an additional $60 from PCF

• $10 gift yields an additional $120 from PCF

• $50 gift yields an additional $600 from PCF

$51 to $150 will be matched 9 to 1:

• $75 will be matched 12 to 1 on the first $50 ($600), and then 9 to 1 on the remaining $25 ($225) for a total of $825 in matching funds

• $150 will be matched 12 to 1 on the first $50 ($600), and then 9 to 1 on the remaining $100 ($900) for a total of $1,500 in matching funds

$151 to $250 will be matched 8 to 1:

• $200 will be matched 12 to 1 on the first $50 ($600); then 9 to 1 on the next $100 ($900) ; then 8 to 1 on the remaining $50 ($400) for a total of $1,900 in matching funds

• $250 will be matched 12 to 1 on the first $50 ($600); then 9 to 1 on the next $100 ($900); then 8 to 1 on the remaining $100 ($800) for a total of $2,300 in matching funds