'Ready for Hillary' campaign raises $4 million in 2013

WASHINGTON: Even as Hillary Clinton has not announced her decision to run for the 2016 presidential elections, an unofficial campaign supporting her possible candidature raised more than $4 million in its first year.

'Ready for Hillary', founded last January to build what they call a "grassroots army" for Clinton ahead of 2016, raised $4 million from from 33,631 Americans in 2013.

"Thanks to the groundswell of enthusiasm for Hillary's potential run and the steadfast commitment of our supporters, we have exceeded our goals and are ahead of schedule in raising the funds necessary to build a grassroots army that can be activated the moment Hillary makes a decision," said 'Ready for Hillary' executive director Adam Parkhomenko.

"This movement is unprecedented - not because of our staff but because of our supporters - and we will continue to build capacity across the country to put Hillary in the strongest position possible should she decide to run," Parkhomenko said.

In a statement, 'Ready for Hillary' said it has more contributors than all other presidential super PACs ever, combined.

Contributions ranged from $1 to the group's voluntary maximum contribution of $25,000, with an average contribution of $82.

Ninety-eight per cent of contributions were $100 or less. 17,988 contributions were for exactly $20.16, the ticket price for the group's many grassroots fundraising events across the country.

'Ready for Hillary' received financial contributions from all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and US territories, as well as financial support from Americans abroad and military service members across the world.

In addition to the group's fundraising figures, the group achieved other grassroots milestones in 2013: 1.5 million Facebook supporters; 600,000 signatures on pledge; 250,000 bumper stickers shipped to all corners of the country; and supporting Hillary-endorsed candidates Terry McAuliffe and Bill de Blasio in their successful races.