Everything You Need to Know About Joint Fundraising Committees
If you're involved in political fundraising, there's one tool you can't afford to ignore: the joint fundraising committee. Whether you're part of a national party committee, working for a federal candidate, or managing a PAC, understanding how JFCs work can unlock major efficiencies and revenue potential.
We updated one of our most in-demand resources: the Joint Fundraising Committee Fact Sheet. It consistently ranks as one of our most popular resources every year and has been updated for the 2025-2026 cycle. It breaks down everything you need to know about how these powerful committees operate, and why they’re a go-to strategy for today’s campaigns.
What Is a Joint Fundraising Committee?
A Joint Fundraising Committee is an FEC-registered political committee formed when two or more entities, such as candidates, party committees, or PACs, come together to raise money. It allows them to share expenses, pool donor outreach, and split contributions according to a pre-set allocation formula.
Instead of asking donors to write multiple checks to each committee, JFCs make it possible for supporters to contribute just once and have that donation distributed across several participating entities.
Why Are JFCs So Popular?
Since their approval in 1977, JFCs have evolved from a niche tool into a central part of campaign strategy. But after the 2014 McCutcheon v. FEC Supreme Court decision eliminated aggregate donor limits, JFC usage exploded from only 42 in the 1994 cycle to over 1,000 registered JFCs in 2024.
And they work. In 2012, Romney Victory, Inc. raised nearly $500 million through a JFC. By 2024, political parties raised a combined $3.5 billion through joint fundraising efforts.
Key Benefits of JFCs
Streamlined Contributions: Donors can make a single contribution allocated across multiple committees.
Shared Resources: Participants can pool lists, staff, and strategy to cut fundraising costs.
Compliance Support: JFCs provide a structured way to follow FEC regulations while maximizing reach.
This makes them appealing to national and state party organizations working in tandem, or federal candidates teaming up with PACs and state-level entities.
Know the Limits
JFCs don’t create a loophole for unlimited donations. Contributions are still subject to FEC limits based on the types of participating committees. For example:
Candidate Committees: $3,500 per individual
State party committees: $10,000 per individual
PACs: $5,000 per individual
National Party Committee:
National Party Committee Account: $44,300
Convention Fund: $132,900
Building Fund: $132,900
Recount Fund: $132,900
Party Committees:
Main Account: $44,300
Building Fund: $132,900
Recount Fund: $132,900
Because JFCs combine these limits across several participants, total donor contributions may appear large — but every dollar must still adhere to individual federal caps.
How Are JFCs Formed?
Creating a Joint Fundraising Committee involves several key steps:
Form a written agreement among all participants.
Designate a fundraising representative to manage deposits, expenses, and reporting.
Open a separate bank account for contributions.
Include the allocation formula in all disclaimers.
File reports with the FEC and maintain detailed donor records.
CMDI’s fact sheet walks you through every step, including what your disclaimers need to say and what to expect from FEC reporting requirements.
Who Uses JFCs?
Everyone from presidential campaigns to local candidate committees and state parties. They’ve been used successfully by both Republicans and Democrats, and are a strategic choice not just in presidential years, but across all levels of federal campaigns.
With the right setup, JFCs can significantly enhance your fundraising efforts, and CMDI is here to help make sure you get it right.
Get the Updated Fact Sheet
Whether you're forming your first JFC or need a refresher on compliance requirements, our newly updated fact sheet has you covered. It’s one of the most visited resources on the CMDI site for a reason, and it's free to download.
Don't miss your opportunity to raise more, and raise smarter, with JFCs.