Individual Donors

These limits apply to contributions from individual persons:

• $3,500 per election to a federal candidate — primary and general elections count separately. That means an individual may give up to $7,000 total per candidate if they contribute to both a primary and the general.gov
• $44,300 per calendar year to a national party committee (e.g., RNC, DNC).gov
• $10,000 per calendar year to state or local party committees (combined).gov
• $5,000 per calendar year to a federal PAC (traditional PAC). gov
• $132,900 per calendar year to certain national party committee. gov

Political Action Committees (PACs)

• Multicandidate PACs may give $5,000 per election to a candidate.
• Non-multicandidate PACs generally have the same per-election limit as individuals for candidate support.

Political Party Committees

National and state party committees may receive contributions within the above limits and can also establish specialized accounts with higher contribution caps (e.g., $132,900 per account per year) for specific purposes.FEC.gov

Note: Super PACs (independent-expenditure-only committees) can accept unlimited contributions — including from corporations and labor organizations — but cannot make contributions directly to candidates.FEC.gov

How the Limits Work

Separate Limits for Each Election

The $3,500 contribution limit applies per election — meaning the primary and general elections are each subject to that cap.FEC.gov

Indexed for Inflation

The FEC increases limits every odd-numbered year to keep pace with inflation as required under federal law.FEC.gov

Different Rules for Accounts

National party committees may establish separate specialized accounts for certain expenses (e.g., convention or legal accounts), which carry higher donation caps.FEC.gov

Why It Matters for Donors, PACs & Campaigns

Understanding contribution limits is crucial for:

• Donors: Staying within legal caps prevents rejected contributions or required refunds.
• Campaigns: Accepting excessive funds can create compliance issues with the FEC.
• PACs & Committees: Proper planning helps maximize fundraising while avoiding violations.

Campaign finance compliance isn’t just about what you raise, but how you raise it. With limits updated, now is an important time to reevaluate contribution strategies.

How 9sevenfec Can Help

At 9sevenfec, founder Thomas Datwyler and our team specialize in translating complex FEC rules into practical guidance for clients. Whether you’re:

• planning a fundraising strategy for a campaign,
• structuring a PAC or party committee contribution plan
• simply evaluating donor compliance risk

9sevenfec can help ensure you understand the current limits and how they apply to your situation. With updated contribution limits in place, having expert guidance is more important than ever to stay compliant and effective.

Thomas Datwyler draws on years of experience in campaign finance compliance to help campaigns and committees navigate legal requirements without overwhelm.

Staying informed about these limits helps you plan smartly for the 2026 cycle and beyond. If you have questions about how these limits apply to your campaign or organization, 9sevenfec is hereto help.