The Federal Election Commission has announced contribution limits for 2025-2026. The new “per election” limits are effective for the 2025-2026 election cycle (November 6, 2024 – November 3, 2026), and the calendar year limits are effective January 1, 2025.
The FEC increased the amount an individual can contribute to a candidate to $3,500 per election, up from $3,300. Because the primary and general count as separate elections, individuals may give $7,000 per candidate per cycle.
The limit on contributions from individuals to national party committees also increased from $41,300 to $44,300 per year. This increase also affects the limit on contributions to additional specialized accounts of the party committees, which were first allowed through legislation passed in 2014. Each of these accounts can receive contributions that are triple the amount that can be given to the main party account, or $132,900 per account per year. These accounts can be used to pay for expenses related to presidential nominating conventions, headquarters buildings of the party, and election recounts, contests, and other legal proceedings.
The following chart shows more details on the limits for individuals in 2025 and 2026:
| An individual may contribute to … |
| Federal Candidates |
$3,500 |
Per Election |
| National party committees — main account |
$44,300 |
Per Year |
| National party committees — convention account (RNC and DNC only) |
$132,900 |
Per Year |
| National party committees — party building account |
$132,900 |
Per Year |
| National party committees — legal fund account |
$132,900 |
Per Year |
| State or local party committees’ federal accounts |
$10,000 |
Per Year |
| Federal PACs |
$5,000 |
Per Year |
If you have any questions concerning the material discussed in this client alert, please contact the members of our Election and Political Law practice.
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