NYC Mayor-elect Mamdani raises $2 million for transition efforts in less than 3 weeks

Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News on Nov 25, 2025

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NEW YORK — New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has raised $2 million for his transition efforts in less than 20 days as he prepares to take office on Jan 1.

The cash has flowed mostly from small donors — with 25,620 individual donors and an average contribution of $75.

The fundraising reflects Mamdani’s focus on grassroots support.

In comparison to his over 25,000 donors, Mayor Eric Adams’ total transition cash came from 884 people, for a total of $1.94 million in 2021, and Former Mayor de Blasio received funds from 820 individuals in 2013, totaling $2.08 million. Those figures reflect Adams’ and de Blasio’s final hauls, while Mamdani still has more than a month to continue to raise funds.

The funds are going towards paying his staff, setting up teams of experts and advocates to advise his incoming administration and filter through the 70,000 resumes from Mamdani administration hopefuls.

“The people-powered Mamdani transition is building an administration that reflects the values and vision of New York City,” Elana Leopold, executive director of the transition, said.

“These contributions will help us recruit top talent that is ready to get to work on January 1st and begin delivering on the affordability agenda over 1 million New Yorkers voted for.”

Mamdani launched the fundraising effort the day after his Nov. 4 victory.

Mamdani announced Monday his 400-person transition team, who are now working across 17 committees to set up the administration. That team includes some former Adams administration officials, including Meera Joshi, a former deputy mayor; Laura Kavanagh, ex-Fire Department Commissioner; Hassan Naveed, Adams’ former hate crimes chief who accused him of anti-Muslim bias after being fired and Arva Rice, who headed the Civilian Complaint Review Board until Adams asked her to step down.

After Mamdani asked for supporters to donate to the transition on social media last week, his team said they received $300,000 in 12 hours from 5,999 donors.