megadonors
Wealthy political backers
Megadonors are individuals who give exceptionally large sums to political campaigns, parties, or causes—typically millions of dollars.
The term emerged alongside the rise of super PACs and other vehicles for unlimited political contributions: A handful of megadonors now shape entire election cycles.
The word carries connotations of outsized influence, suggesting that wealth translates directly into political power.
People with vast fortunes
- fortunesWealth or destined outcomes
- plutocratsRulers through financial power
- tycoonsPowerful business leaders
- magnatesWealthy, powerful industrialists
oligarchs · heirs · heiresses · assets · holdings · capital · investments · portfolios
Givers of aid
- philanthropyGenerous giving for others
- foundationsStructural bases below ground
- endowmentsDonated assets yielding income
- grantmakingDistributing charitable funds
nonprofits · humanitarian · altruism · bequests · patronage · sponsorship · underwriting · contributors
Advocating to decision-makers
- bundlingGrouping items as one
- kingmakersThose who decide leadership
- endorsementsFormal declarations of support
- candidatesThose seeking selection
elections · legislation · advocacy · partisan · congressional · gubernatorial · primaries · caucuses
Rule by hereditary elite
- socialitesPeople famous for attending events
- jet-setWealthy international travelers
- upper-crustSocial elite class
- privilegedHaving special advantages
exclusive · galas · black-tie · networks · access · circles · establishment · connected
billionaires
People with vast fortunes
- fortunesWealth or destined outcomes
- plutocratsRulers through financial power
- tycoonsPowerful business leaders
magnates · oligarchs · heirs · heiresses · assets · holdings · capital · investments · portfolios · affluence
benefactors
Givers of aid
- philanthropyGenerous giving for others
- foundationsStructural bases below ground
- endowmentsDonated assets yielding income
grantmaking · nonprofits · humanitarian · altruism · bequests · patronage · sponsorship · underwriting · contributors · trustees
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
- bundlingGrouping items as one
- kingmakersThose who decide leadership
- endorsementsFormal declarations of support
candidates · elections · legislation · advocacy · partisan · congressional · gubernatorial · primaries · caucuses · amendments
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
- socialitesPeople famous for attending events
- jet-setWealthy international travelers
- upper-crustSocial elite class
privileged · exclusive · galas · black-tie · networks · access · circles · establishment · connected · insiders