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Democrats face stiff competition in political fundraising in 2016 after wealthy entrepreneurs Charles and David Koch pledged to spend nearly $1 billion in the next campaign cycle. Right now, they're playing the underdog and say that they have a huge void to fill.

"We're never going to match that dollar for dollar," said Ben Ray, spokesperson for American Bridge, a Democratic opposition research group, referring to the Democratic fundraising apparatus.

The Koch pledge - to raise and spend $889 million through its more than one dozen organizations - is more money than the Republican and Democratic Parties each spent in 2012 and more than President Obama spent in his record-breaking campaign in 2008, NBC News has noted. Charles and David Koch's network is likely to nearly match what each candidate is likely to spend in 2016.

Republican presidential candidate and down-ticket contenders are the ones to likely to benefit from the Koch treasure trove.

Democrats admitted nothing exists on the Democratic side that compares to the Koch's deep pockets and network.

While Democrats are competitive on a host of political fundraising, when it comes to political nonprofits that don't have to disclose their donors, Republican-oriented groups far outpace the Democrats.

In the 2014 election cycle, conservative 501c4 groups spent $128 million, according to the Center For Responsive Politics, while liberal 501c4 groups spent $35 million.

Democratic aides say the effort is going to have to be "all hands on deck." They will follow how the money is being spent and strategically place every Democratic dollar to counter. In addition, grassroots support - a large number of small dollar donors - will continue to play heavily into the Democrats' strategy, and that includes capitalizing on the Koch news. The DNC released an email to their supporters Wednesday evening, urging their supporters to mobilize and engage in response to the Koch news.

"Let them know they can't buy your commitment, they can't buy your energy, they can't buy your vote," says a graphic from the DNC to its supporters. Supports can click on a button that says, "I"m in to elect a Democratic president in 2016."

A second version invites supporters upset by the Koch's "buckets of money" to "volunteer to help elect a Democratic president in 2016."

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Democrats Angle To Compete With Koch Money