Top Bay Area Donors Pour $100M Into Federal Races
The 50 biggest San Francisco-area donors gave more than $100 million to federal campaigns from January 2025 through June 2026.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Through June 2026, the 50 largest San Francisco-area donors gave over $100 million to federal campaigns, with some funds flowing to national super PACs and out-of-state congressional races rather than California contests. The Brockmans, Ron and Gayle Conway, and Chris Larsen and Lyna Lam were among the top givers.
Why it matters
The findings show that Bay Area wealth is increasingly directed toward national political organizations and races outside California, not only local contests. The concentration of large sums among a small group of donors shapes which candidates and causes receive outside financial support.
The Chronicle's analysis counted donors linked to at least one contribution from a San Francisco address and excluded loans. Greg and Anna Brockman's $50 million was split between MAGA Inc. and the pro-AI group Leading the Future.
The players
Greg Brockman
Greg Brockman is a co-founder of OpenAI who was among the largest San Francisco-area federal political donors this cycle.
Ron Conway
Ron Conway is a veteran Silicon Valley investor known for his longtime political giving to Democratic-aligned causes.
Chris Larsen
Chris Larsen is a co-founder of Ripple who has spent heavily on national-level political efforts alongside his wife, Lyna Lam.
Saikat Chakrabarti
Saikat Chakrabarti is a Bay Area political figure who loaned his congressional campaign more than $10 million before converting it into a super PAC.
The details
Greg and Anna Brockman gave $50 million to federal campaigns since the beginning of 2025, divided between MAGA Inc. and the pro-AI group Leading the Future. Ron and Gayle Conway gave more than $7 million, mostly to national Democratic-aligned PACs, and also gave $28,000 each to Rep. Ro Khanna and Ethan Agarwal in District 17.
Timeline
Since the beginning of 2025: The Brockmans began donating to federal campaigns.
January 2025 through June 2026: The period covered by the top 50 donor analysis.
Last year: California voters approved a Democrat-proposed redistricting measure.
Through June 2026: The Brockmans were the largest San Francisco donors this cycle.
Market Landscape
The concentration of giving through national super PACs reflects the structure Citizens United created, which allowed unlimited independent spending. Bay Area donors are using that pathway to shape races far beyond California.
Campaign finance activity by a small group of major donors can influence which candidates receive outside support in federal races. Voters in districts that attract national super PAC spending may see more outside advertising in their races.
The takeaway
Large individual donations now flow through national organizations rather than only local campaigns. Following the donor trail through federal filings offers a clearer view of who is funding the races that shape national policy.
Further reading
For more on how wealthy givers direct their money, see Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Chronicle.
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