Giving - Timing Your Political Contribution. Once you've decided to contribute to a candidate or a cause, deciding when to give is the next most important decision. Both types of giving have distinct strategic benefits.
Many political experts argue that funding is most vital during primary elections.
Any viable candidate must cover the costs of office space, staff, and resources to get the word out through campaign literature, television advertisements and other tools. If the candidate's message isn't getting to voters during the primary, she won't have much of a chance in the general election. Primaries provide a window of opportunity for you to help shape the candidate's positions and priorities. Even if your candidate loses in the primaries, she most likely had an important impact on the election by influencing the general direction of the campaign. For instance, whoever wins the presidential election will appoint a cabinet, nominate judges and establish commissions.