Now that we’re halfway through the year, it’s the perfect time for corporate PAC managers to step back and take stock. You’ve likely spent the past six months managing fundraising pushes, tracking contributions, and juggling reports. But have you had time to assess whether your PAC’s operations are truly on track?
A thoughtful mid-year review can make the second half of the year a lot smoother—and a lot less stressful.
Start With the Basics: What’s the Point of a Mid-Year Review?
The most apparent benefit is risk reduction. When you’re staring down year-end reports or peak election activity, there’s little room to fix a problem without causing disruption or drawing regulatory attention. But in July? There’s time to review reports, correct the course, and reinforce your internal controls.
Equally important, a mid-year review reinforces that compliance isn’t just a once-a-year responsibility. It’s a core part of your PAC’s operations. When your team sees that diligence is expected year-round, they’re more likely to stay engaged, ask the right questions, and catch potential issues before they escalate.
What to Watch for Now—Not in December
Start by reviewing your contributions and disbursements. Are all transactions correctly classified? Are donor details complete, especially for contributions over $200? Is there any missing documentation?
Next, check for red flags:
- Contributions that exceed limits
- Disbursements with unclear documentation
- In-kind support that wasn’t properly valued
- Signs that corporate funds may have been co-mingled, even unintentionally
A clean review now not only prevents headaches later, but it also demonstrates to regulators that your PAC is making good-faith efforts to comply with the law. The FEC won’t accept inexperience as an excuse, but it will consider proactive auditing and corrections as a positive factor if any issues arise.
Don’t Sleep on Deadlines
The second half of the year brings critical filing requirements, and the deadlines vary based on your PAC’s reporting schedule.
- If you’re a semiannual filer, your next report is due July 31.
- Quarterly filers will submit their Q2 report by July 15 and Q3 on October 15.
- And if you file monthly, the rhythm continues—every 20th of the month, plus a year-end wrap-up in January.
Double-check which schedule your PAC is on. If you changed reporting frequencies this year, did you notify the FEC in writing? Have you updated Form 1 to reflect any changes in your treasurer, contact details, or mailing address?
A good rule of thumb: If the FEC were to send you an important notice today, would it go to the right place? If not, update your forms immediately.
Fundraising Rules Still Matter Mid-Year
It’s also a good time to revisit contribution limits and solicitation policies. For 2025–2026, individual donors can give up to $5,000 per year to your PAC. And if your PAC qualifies as a multicandidate committee, you can contribute $5,000 per election to federal candidates, meaning $10,000 per cycle when you include both the primary and general.
Make sure your systems flag over-limit donors before the money hits your account. And remember: your solicitation audience is limited to your restricted class—typically executives, administrative staff, shareholders, and their families. Every PAC message should be clear, compliant, and voluntary. If you’re using incentives or company resources for fundraising, double-check the fine print on FEC rules to avoid unintentional violations.
And perhaps most critically, never allow, suggest, or turn a blind eye to contribution reimbursements. Reimbursing a donor, even informally or indirectly, is one of the fastest ways to put your PAC in hot water. If you spot any activity that looks like reimbursement, escalate it and seek counsel immediately.
Mid-Year Is the Right Time for a Recordkeeping Reality Check
How confident are you that your records would hold up in an audit? Is every transaction supported by receipts, invoices, and contributor details? Do the internal totals match what you’ve reported?
If you’re unsure, use this moment to run a reconciliation and fill in any gaps.
The FEC requires PACs to retain records for at least three years from the date of the related report, but many PACs hold onto them longer, especially for major contributions or during active election cycles. Good digital recordkeeping systems can help ensure everything is where it should be, even if team members leave or roles change.
Training: Not Just for New Hires
Regulations evolve, and even experienced teams need refreshers. A quick mid-year training session, whether a lunch-and-learn, one-pager, or formal session, can keep everyone on the same page about contribution limits, report timing, and prohibited sources.
It’s also a good time to revisit your internal processes. Are duties properly separated? Are there clear sign-off procedures for large disbursements? Is someone reviewing bank reconciliations and FEC filings with fresh eyes? These kinds of controls don’t just improve compliance—they also protect your PAC and your people from avoidable mistakes.
Don’t Let Your Tech Stack Be a Bottleneck
If you’re still managing contributions in spreadsheets or building FEC reports by hand, ask yourself: Is your current process scalable? Accurate? Efficient?
Modern PAC software—like Quorum PAC—helps you consolidate donor records, automate report generation, track contribution limits, and manage filings across multiple jurisdictions. It reduces manual data entry, flags errors, and saves your team time that can be spent on strategy instead of chasing receipts.
Many tools also come with built-in dashboards, alerts, and access to compliance experts who can help ensure your filings are correct and complete. It’s the kind of investment that pays for itself in avoided fines, faster processes, and peace of mind.
State Rules Add Another Layer
Federal law isn’t the only game in town. Check each state’s laws if your PAC supports state or local candidates. Some require separate registration for even small contributions. Others have specific pre-election reporting deadlines or entirely prohibit contributions from corporate-affiliated PACs.
Start by reviewing your PAC’s activity in each jurisdiction. Do you need to register? Are your reports up to date? Have any state laws changed since January?
It’s easy to overlook state-level rules during a busy year. But missing a state filing can be just as damaging as a federal misstep—and often, more challenging to fix.
Ethics and Perception: Not Just Box-Checking
Compliance is the legal requirement. Ethics is what builds trust.
A mid-year review is a great time to reflect on whether your PAC’s giving aligns with your company’s values. Are the candidates you’re supporting consistent with your stated priorities? Would your employees or customers be surprised—or proud—if they saw your PAC’s latest report?
Consider adding an internal review of contribution recipients. If a candidate has become controversial or taken positions that contradict your organization’s mission, it may be time to reassess.
More companies also voluntarily publish PAC data in ESG reports or on their websites. Transparency builds credibility. So does regular communication with your internal donors—letting them know which candidates the PAC supported, why, and how it aligns with your shared goals.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Wait for December
A mid-year compliance check isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about preparing your PAC for the future. The year’s second half will be busy, especially with the election season approaching. Taking time to get your records in order, reinforce your team’s knowledge, and evaluate your tools can save you from stress and costly mistakes later on.
If managing compliance feels overwhelming, consider whether your current tools are holding you back. Platforms like Quorum PAC are designed to make PAC management simpler, faster, and more accurate, with built-in support and a single dashboard to manage it all.
The best time to course-correct is before you hit a wall. With the right systems and a proactive mindset, your PAC can stay compliant, credible, and ready for what’s next.