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      Using the personal funds of the candidate

Using the personal funds of the candidate When candidates use their personal funds for campaign purposes, they are making contributions to their campaigns. Candidate contributions to their own campaigns are not subject to any limits. They must, however, be reported. Contributions from members of the candidate’s family are subject to the same limits that apply to any other individual. For example, a candidate's parent or spouse may not contribute more than the individual contribution limit per election to the candidate.
 Definition of a candidate's "personal funds" The personal funds of a candidate include: Assets which the candidate has a legal right of access to or control over, and which he or she has legal title to or an equitable interest in, at the time of candidacy;Income from employment;Dividends and interest from, and proceeds from sale or liquidation of, stocks and other investments;Income from trusts, if established before the election cycle;Income from trusts established by bequests (even after candidacy);Bequests to the candidate;Personal gifts that had been customarily received by the candidate prior to the beginning of the election cycle; andProceeds from lotteries and similar games of chance. Assets jointly held with spouse A candidate may also use, as personal funds, his or her portion of assets owned jointly with a spouse (for example, a checking account or jointly owned stock). If the candidate’s financial interest in an asset is not specified, then the candidate’s share is deemed to be half the value. Some banks may require a spouse to cosign a loan obtained by the candidate using jointly held assets as collateral. While an endorsement or guarantee of a loan normally constitutes a contribution, in this instance the spouse is not considered a contributor as long as the candidate’s share in the collateral equals or exceeds the amount of the loan.
 Example A candidate obtains a $5,000 bank loan for his campaign using, as collateral, property valued at $20,000 held jointly (in equal shares) with his spouse. Both co-sign the loan. Because the candidate’s interest in the property is $10,000, which exceeds the amount of the loan, his spouse has not made a contribution by co-signing it.
 Unearned income and fringe benefits A candidate’s salary or wages earned from bona fide employment are considered his or her personal funds. However, compensation paid to a candidate in excess of actual hours worked is generally considered a contribution from the employer. Moreover, under FEC regulations barring personal use of campaign funds, a third party's payment of a candidate’s expenses is considered a contribution, unless the payment would have been made irrespective of the candidacy. To be paid "irrespective of the candidacy," and thus not considered a contribution, compensation must: Result from bona fide employment that is genuinely independent of the candidacy;Be exclusively made in consideration for services provided by the employee; andNot exceed the amount paid to any other similarly qualified person for the same work over the same period of time. Note that when a candidate is on leave without pay, the continued payment of fringe benefits (such as health insurance and retirement) may also result in contributions from the employer to the campaign. (The Commission has made an exception to this rule for employers who had pre-existing policies providing for a limited extension of benefits for individuals who take unpaid leave.) Personal loans
 Learn more about receiving, reporting and repaying personal loans from a candidate
 Reporting contributions from candidate’s personal funds Contributions made from the candidate's personal funds must be reported. The reporting varies according to whether the personal funds of the candidate were loaned or contributed directly to the candidate’s authorized committee, or whether the funds were spent by the candidate out-of-pocket.
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        Candidate contributions
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        In-kind contributions from the candidate
 What are not considered personal funds Personal gifts and loans If any person, including a relative or friend of the candidate, gives or loans the candidate money "for the purpose of influencing any election for federal office," the funds are not considered personal funds of the candidate even if they are given to the candidate directly. Instead, the gift or loan is considered a contribution from the donor to the campaign, subject to the per-election limit and reportable by the campaign. Bank loans used in connection with campaign Bank loans are not considered contributions from the bank if they comply with FEC regulations on bank loans. When a candidate obtains a bank loan for use in connection with their campaign, the loan is considered to be from the bank and not from the candidate’s personal funds. The candidate is acting as the agent of the campaign.
 Learn more about bank loans
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          Taking in receiptsHandling loans, debts and advancesPublicly funded presidential candidates: Complying with primary spending limitsPublicly funded presidential candidates: Receiving a grant for the general election Need help? Get help from the FEC by phone or email
 Legal citations Regulations 11 CFR 100.33Personal funds 11 CFR 100.52Gifts, subscription, loan, advance or deposit of money 11 CFR 100.54Compensation for personal services 11 CFR 102.7(d)Candidate as agent of committee 11 CFR 110.10Expenditures by candidates 11 CFR 113.1(g)(6)Third party payments for personal use expenses 11 CFR 114.12(c)Payment of fringe benefits
 Advisory opinions AOs 2014-15, 2014-14 and 1992-03Employer's payment of fringe benefits during candidate's unpaid leave of absence AOs 2006-13, 2004-17, 2004-08, 1980-115 and 1979-74Payment of compensation to candidate AO 2000-01Paid leave of absence for candidate AO 2000-08Gifts to federal candidates for personal use AO 1991-10Candidate’s use of jointly held assets AO 1991-09Retroactive interest on candidate loans AO 1990-09Newsletter published by candidate as sole proprietor. AO 1987-01Campaign's compensation of lost wages to candidate prohibited AO 1985-33Personal loans to candidate for his campaign AO 1984-60Campaign debts liquidated through sale of partnership assets. AO 1982-64Campaign's assumption of candidate's outstanding personal loan.


This information is not intended to replace the law or to change its meaning, nor does this information create or confer any rights for or on any person or bind the Federal Election Commission or the public. The reader is encouraged also to consult the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), Commission regulations (Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations), Commission advisory opinions and applicable court decisions.


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