WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s inaugural committee raised more than $ 43 million for his second inauguration, with corporations chipping in a major portion.
Reports filed with the Federal Election Commission show the committee fell about $ 7 million short of its $ 50 million fundraising goal.
For his first inauguration, Obama raised $ 53 million in private money, turning away corporations and individual contributions exceeding $ 50,000. This time, Obama reversed that policy.
The biggest sum came from AT&T Inc., who gave $ 4.6 million. Microsoft Corp. donated $ 2.1 million. Boeing Co. and Chevron Corp. gave a million each.
The largest individual donation of $ 500,000 came from Timothy Gill, a technology entrepreneur and gay rights activist.
The government pays for official activities like the swearing-in, but donations fund the inaugural balls and other celebrations.
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