$1 MILLION DONATED TO HOST COMMITTEE FOR CONVENTION.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

In an effort to jump-start the final stretch of fund raising, billionaire Eli Broad has donated $1 million to the host committee sponsoring the Democratic National Convention, officials said Friday.

It is the first donation by Broad to the organization which he co-chairs, and brings the group's fund-raising total to $26.6 million - about 75 percent of its $33.5 million goal.

Broad believes the timing for the donation will help create momentum for the host committee to reach its final goal coupled with the efforts of Mayor Richard Riordan, who has been calling on potential donors to make up the difference.

The convention, where Democrats are expected to nominate Vice President Al Gore as the party's nominee in the November election, will be held Aug. 14-17 at Staples Center.

Host committee officials have held a number of recent meetings with Democratic National Committee officials in recent weeks, and Broad was encouraged with the planning that has been done, officials said.

Broad is one of several co-chairmen who were involved in winning the convention for the city. Others include food magnate Ron Burkle, David Geffen of DreamWorks SKG and political activist Bill Wardlaw.