When it comes to making a campaign contribution, there are as many rules as there are candidates running for office and you need to know which ones apply to the contribution you are making. Are you giving to a specific candidate running for federal office, a Joint Fundraising Committee, a Political Party committee, National Party Committee or another PAC? Well then, you may want to read the Federal Election Commission Campaign Guide to figure out who can get what because they all have separate contribution limits.
Looking to give to a candidate running for State-wide office? Well then, get a guide for every state and give those a read to figure out the contribution limits based on the office being sought. In addition the state you are trying to contribute in could have legislative black-out periods which restrict when you can and cannot make contributions in that state. Now, should you give out of your PAC or can your Company, Association, or Labor Union make contributions out of Treasury funds directly to candidates? The answer is: it depends on the state and, in some cases, the entity making the contribution.