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Are You Missing the Chance to Increase the Impact of Your Charitable Giving?

passpacs on May 29, 2026

What if every dollar you contributed could go twice as far? Many employers offer charity and Political Action Committee (PAC) match programs—valuable benefits that can amplify your giving, strengthen your voice, and increase your impact at no additional cost to you.

 

Here are five compelling reasons to put your match benefits to work today.

 

  1. Double Your Impact

A company match instantly extends the reach of your donation. Contribute $500 with a dollar-for-dollar match, and $1,000 goes to a cause you care about—without increasing your personal contribution.

 

  1. Strengthen Your Company’s Voice

With a PAC match program, your PAC contribution can help advance policies and leaders who understand your business and workforce and at the same time, direct support to charitable organizations important to you. One contribution can deliver two meaningful outcomes.

 

  1. Support Causes Important to You

Whether you care most about education, healthcare, hunger relief, or another mission, a matching program helps channel resources to organizations that reflect your values.

 

  1. Get the Most Out of a Built-In Benefit

Your charity and PAC match programs are part of your employee benefits. Using these programs helps ensure you receive the full value of benefits available to you.

 

  1. Participate and Inspire Others

Giving has momentum. When employees participate, others are more likely to get involved—helping build a workplace culture rooted in generosity, civic engagement, and community impact.

 

Ready to bring a match program to your company? Contact Megan Allen at mallen@pass1.com to learn how PASS can help you design, launch, and grow a successful program.

Are You Keeping Up with State Campaign Finance Law Changes?

passpacs on May 29, 2026

State campaign finance laws are evolving faster than ever, creating new compliance challenges for PACs and organizations that engage in political activity across multiple jurisdictions. From increased contribution limits and new registration requirements to expanding restrictions on foreign participation in elections, staying compliant requires constant monitoring of state legislative and regulatory changes.

Contribution Limits Continue to Rise

Some states have recently increased campaign contribution limits, often as a result of inflation-indexing provisions built into their campaign finance laws. These adjustments reflect the rising costs associated with modern political campaigns and can significantly impact fundraising strategies and compliance obligations.

Some states have enacted even more substantial changes. In Louisiana, for example, the legislature effectively doubled many campaign contribution limits last year. The state also revised its definition of an “out-of-state” committee, raising the threshold for registration and reporting requirements.

Under the updated law, a Federal PAC is exempt from Louisiana registration and reporting requirements if it:

  • Receives less than 50% of its total receipts from Louisiana residents;
  • Spends less than 50% of its funds in Louisiana; and
  • Does not spend more than $50,000 annually in the state.

These changes may reduce regulatory burdens for some organizations while creating new compliance considerations for others.

New Registration and Reporting Requirements

States are also revising registration and reporting rules, requiring organizations to reassess their compliance processes.

Oregon, long known for having no statutory contribution limits, enacted campaign contribution limits in 2024 with an effective date of January 1, 2027. Organizations active in Oregon elections should be preparing now for the upcoming changes.

Georgia has implemented significant changes to its campaign finance registration and reporting requirements as well. Effective January 1, 2026, PACs participating in Georgia non-federal elections through candidate contributions must register and report from the outset of their activity. The state’s previous $25,000 activity threshold has been eliminated.

Additional Georgia changes include:

  • A requirement to maintain a separate bank account for Georgia political activity;
  • A revised reporting schedule requiring quarterly filings for all PACs; and
  • The elimination of activity-triggered reports.

Organizations that previously relied on threshold-based registration or activity-driven reporting schedules will need to update their compliance procedures accordingly.

States Continue Expanding Foreign National Restrictions

Another growing trend is the expansion of state laws restricting foreign participation in elections. While federal law already regulates foreign national involvement in candidate elections, many states have recently focused on ballot measures and independent expenditures—areas where federal law provides less specific guidance.

This year, Alabama and Iowa enacted laws prohibiting foreign nationals from making contributions or expenditures related to ballot measures.

Nebraska strengthened its existing requirements by:

  • Requiring ballot question committees to certify they have not received contributions from foreign nationals; and
  • Prohibiting foreign nationals from making independent expenditures related to ballot measures.

Ohio’s foreign national ban took effect in 2024, but state guidance was not issued until late 2025. The law applies to both candidate contributions and ballot measures and includes lawful permanent residents (green card holders) within its prohibition. As a result, many Federal PACs had to suspend contributions in Ohio because they accepted donations from green card holders—a practice permitted under federal law.

These developments highlight the importance of understanding each state’s unique requirements. Keeping up with state campaign finance law changes is a full-time job. From contribution limit increases and registration requirements to evolving foreign-national restrictions, compliance obligations vary widely from state to state and can change with little notice.

PASS helps organizations stay ahead of these developments. Our Compliance Managers work closely with our Director of Campaign Finance Law to monitor legislative and regulatory changes nationwide, ensuring our clients receive timely guidance and remain compliant as requirements evolve.

Having PASS as your compliance firm allows you to focus on your advocacy and political objectives without worrying about the compliance risks. For more information about PASS’ federal and non-federal compliance services, reach out to Megan Allen at mallen@pass1.com.

What is the PASS Difference?

passpacs on May 29, 2026

Building strong, lasting client relationships is at the heart of everything we do at PASS. As a Compliance Manager, I take a proactive, personalized approach from day one—working to understand each client’s unique goals, challenges, and priorities. Because no two organizations or political giving programs are the same, PASS’ solutions are tailored each political giving program we administer.

Open, consistent communication is a cornerstone of our approach. By setting clear expectations, aligning processes, and maintaining transparency around timelines and outcomes, we ensure clients always feel informed, supported, and confident in our partnership.

In a fast-moving and complex compliance landscape, reliability matters. We respond quickly to challenges, provide timely solutions, and keep clients updated every step of the way. Through regular check-ins and ongoing collaboration, we demonstrate accountability and reinforce our commitment to their success.

We also recognize that strong partnerships go beyond processes—they’re built on people. By understanding each client’s communication style, priorities, and working preferences, we adapt our approach to deliver a seamless and highly effective experience.

At PASS, we don’t just meet expectations—our goal is to continually exceed them. By sharing insights, identifying improvements, and anticipating evolving needs, we position ourselves as a true strategic partner. Our goal is to empower clients, strengthen their programs, and support their long-term growth.

At PASS, strong partnerships make all the difference—the PASS Difference. Every client is backed by a dedicated compliance professional fully invested in their success. To learn more about how PASS can support your political giving program, contact Megan Allen at mallen@pass1.com.

Are You Maximizing the Effectiveness of Your PAC Data?

passpacs on May 29, 2026

Are You Maximizing the Effectiveness of your PAC Data with epacInfo® Management Reports?

In today’s fast-paced, data-driven political landscape, efficiently managing and engaging the right individuals is essential to your Political Action Committee’s success. One of the most valuable tools available to your organization is epacInfo®’s management reporting functionality.

These powerful reports provide detailed insights into your eligible class and current PAC participants, helping your organization make smarter, data-backed decisions. By leveraging this information, PACs can strengthen fundraising efforts, improve donor engagement, and build more effective outreach strategies.

epacInfo®’s management reports can track critical data points including donor activity, contribution amounts, enrollment percentages, and participation trends. epacInfo® delivers accurate, timely reporting with minimal administrative time and effort.

Benefits of epacInfo® Management Reports

  1. Refine Donor Segmentation

Management reports provide a clear view of who is contributing, how much they are giving, and how frequently they donate. This allows PACs to better segment donors based on contribution patterns, consistency, and engagement levels. By identifying top contributors and potential high-value donors, your organization can personalize outreach efforts and focus on the individuals most likely to support your PAC’s mission.

  1. Maintain Clean, High-Quality Data

Collaborating with payroll and HR teams to ensure accurate and timely data feeds is critical to maximizing the value of your data and reports. Accurate data ensures you have the most up-to-date information on active contributors and individuals who may have stopped giving. This visibility gives PAC managers the opportunity to engage valuable supporters and reconnect with former contributors. Accurate, high-quality data also helps ensure compliance while providing reliable insights into donor behavior and participation trends.

  1. Improve Fundraising Strategies

By analyzing receipt management reports, PACs can uncover valuable trends in donor behavior. Are contributions increasing after a specific campaign? Are certain groups more likely to engage during key political events? These insights allow organizations to adjust fundraising strategies in real time, optimize outreach efforts, and maximize overall participation and donations.

  1. Build Stronger Donor Relationships

Management reports also help PACs better understand ongoing donor engagement. Identifying repeat contributors or supporters who may need additional outreach enables organizations to strengthen relationships and foster long-term loyalty. With better visibility into donor activity, your team can prioritize meaningful communication and deliver targeted messaging that resonates with your audience.

Conclusion

Incorporating receipt management reports into your PAC’s fundraising and engagement strategy will help maximize your results. With the power of epacInfo® reporting, PACs can more effectively target the eligible class, increase participation, strengthen donor relationships, and maintain compliance with confidence. In today’s competitive political fundraising environment, actionable data is the key to smarter outreach and greater success.

 

To learn more about the data management and reporting capabilities of epacManager®, contact Megan Allen at mallen@pass1.com to schedule a demo today.

Will redistricting impact your PAC Compliance?

passpacs on April 30, 2026

The upcoming 2026 U.S. midterm elections are expected to be highly competitive, in large part because of an unusual surge in redistricting activity occurring outside the normal post-census cycle. Rather than waiting for the next decennial update, multiple states have already redrawn their congressional district boundaries in an effort to improve their party’s electoral prospects. By February 2026, states including California, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Utah had completed or approved revised district maps (Cook Political Report, 2026; Brennan Center for Justice, 2026).

Despite these aggressive efforts by both major parties, some analysts believe the national impact on congressional control may be limited. According to the Cook Political Report, partisan advantages gained in certain states could be offset by losses elsewhere, resulting in little overall change. For example, expected Republican gains from redistricting in Texas and North Carolina may be counterbalanced by more Democratic-leaning maps in California and court-mandated adjustments in Utah (Cook Political Report, 2026). Meanwhile, ongoing legal challenges in states such as New York, Georgia, and Louisiana add further uncertainty, leaving the final composition of the U.S. House of Representatives unresolved and highly unpredictable (Brennan Center for Justice, 2026).

With the potential for a myriad of changes to districts and candidates running in those districts, PASS is committed to updated candidate and district information quickly. PASS will ensure all epacInfo® users have access to the most up to date information when entering disbursement requests and our Compliance Team will confirm PAC disbursements are properly attributed to the candidate’s current district as part of our compliance review.  PASS’ MyElectionInfo will reflect the most up to date election information and candidates so PAC members and employees have accurate information when they go to the polls. 

Want more information on PASS’ disbursement compliance services or MyElectionInfo? Contact Megan Allen at mallen@pass1.com for a demo.

Need Voter Education Resources for Your Employees and Members?

passpacs on March 26, 2026

PASS’ new system, MyElectionInfo, has everything you need!

PASS’ MyElectionInfo just launched and will simplify access to election details, elected officials, candidate listings, and essential voter resources for all employees and members. MyElectionInfo streamlines access to election information to support informed engagement. The page brings together information that is often scattered across multiple sources into a single, intuitive user experience.

At PASS, every update we release or enhancement we create is guided by one core principle: delivering meaningful improvements that make our clients’ work easier, more informed, and more efficient.

As we continue to evolve our products, we are focused on creating tools that grow with our clients’ needs including customizable dashboards and informational resources like MyElectionsInfo. At PASS, our goal is always to deliver technology and services that empower PACs to operate more effectively and strengthen administrative, compliance, and reporting workflows.

Smart Systems. Seamless Compliance. Stronger PACs.
That’s the standard we strive toward, today and in every enhancement we develop.

 

For more information on PASS’ newest offering, MyElectionInfo, please contact Megan Allen at mallen@pass1.com.

 

So, You’re Thinking About a Charity Match Program…Need a few tips to get started?

passpacs on January 28, 2026

For the past 10 years I’ve been working on the PASS charity match team, and our team works with over 50 organizations managing their charity match programs. I’ve personally partnered with more than half of our clients to help them launch their charity match programs. I find that most organizations begin with a clear vision of why they want a charity match program, but they often lack the information and expertise to define program parameters that will set their program up for long-term success.

While every organization’s goals and budgets are unique, successful charity match programs consistently share a few foundational best practices. I put together my top five considerations when designing a new charity match program.

  1. Matching Amount: A dollar-for-dollar match is the best place to start.

When launching a new program, simplicity is key. A straightforward dollar-for-dollar match is easy to communicate and easy for PAC members to understand. A tiered or variable match structure can be effective for a mature program, but this approach adds unnecessary complexity during the early stages of a program. Starting simple allows organizations to build awareness and participation before experimenting with other approaches.

  1. Minimum Contribution: A minimum contribution requirement reinforces the value of the match.

Setting a minimum donation amount reinforces that PAC match is a valuable member benefit. A reasonable minimum ensures that resources are focused on the most engaged members while keeping the program accessible to all members.

  1. Capped Matching: Start with a capped match to ensure sustainable growth.

Establishing an annual match cap – either per employee or program-wide – allows organizations to manage budgets responsibly while encouraging broad participation. Rather than allocating a large portion of funds to a small number of high-dollar donations, a cap can help spread incentives across more PAC members.

  1. Number of Charities: Allow participants to select one charity.

Allowing employees to select a single charity helps maintain program clarity. When employees clearly understand how the program works, they are more likely to participate. As the program matures, organizations can expand on the number of charity options as incentives for higher contribution levels or special campaigns.

  1. Payout Schedule: Send out PAC Match checks to charities on an annual basis.

An annual payout schedule provides structure, predictability, and clarity for participants. An annual match is easier to explain, easier to track, and ensures employees know exactly when and how their match will be processed. As programs evolve, some organizations may explore more frequent payouts, but annual matching is the most effective starting point.

By focusing on clear parameters, simple rules, and scalable structures, your organization can create a PAC match program that is easy to manage, easy to explain, and recognized as a valuable PAC member benefit.

PASS offers full-service PAC match program administration for new and existing PAC match programs. Our Charity Match Team will provide valuable guidance from program inception through maturity.

Interested in learning more about how PASS can help you create a PAC match program to enhance your PAC member benefits and fundraising? Contact Megan Allen at (703) 476-3070 or visit our website: https://passpacs.com/.

Five Keys to a Successful Compliance Manager / PAC Manager Relationship

passpacs on November 25, 2025

Working as a PASS Compliance Manager is both challenging and rewarding. I started my career in donor relations at a large membership association and I joined PASS in 2023 as a Compliance Manager. I had no idea I was entering a world with its own language, rules, regulations, and peculiarities. This article details my five biggest takeaways that are key to delivering excellent service and becoming a successful Compliance Manager.

 

Communicate. In the PAC world, there are many unique terms and phrases. While a PAC Manager understands the terms, others in their organization may not. Our team must figure out the best way to break that information down in a simple and clear manner. We get to know each client contact and their communication style to foster effective communication, build relationships, and make sure all PAC contacts understand their responsibilities.

 

Build relationships. Our goal at PASS is to be an extension of our clients’ team and we strive to make our clients’ lives easier by streamlining the data and information flow processes. Our team often acts as a translator, helping people understand not just what the rules are, but why they matter. For policies and procedures to be effective, people must understand why we need payroll files by a certain date, why only certain individuals can contribute to the PAC, and why funds need to be deposited be a certain time. Building relationships within a client’s organization makes it easier to collaborate and get the data we need in a timely manner to deliver our services.

 

Be proactive. Waiting for a problem to happen and then fixing it is far more expensive and stressful than preventing the problem in the first place. Building proactive systems to make sure data is transmitted in a timely manner prevents late reports and fines, and keeps client reputations intact. Our team carefully monitors reporting deadlines and data delivery to make sure both sides have what they need. Our goal is always to be ahead of every deadline.

 

Change is constant. Reporting schedules change, internal reporting structures evolve, and technology moves fast. Staying on top of every change is key to keeping our clients compliant. At PASS, our team keeps everyone up to speed with their findings in real time. Knowing who to talk to within the client organization is important when deadlines are tight.

 

Challenging and rewarding. My biggest takeaway is that being a Compliance Manager is much more than providing compliance information and completing reports. PASS Compliance Managers work to reduce risk and allow our clients’ PACs to thrive while staying within the boundaries of the law. Taking the stress of PAC compliance work from our clients and allowing them to build their PAC program is our goal. We can deliver on that goal because the PASS team works together to deliver excellent service, and our comprehensive and intuitive PAC software gives clients access to the PAC information they need when they need it.

 

I recently transitioned to the Sales and Marketing side of PASS and thankfully am able to use everything I learned as a Compliance Manager to talk to organizations about our services. Want to find out how PASS will augment your PAC team to keep your PAC running smoothly? Connect with me, Megan Allen, at mallen@pass1.com or on LinkedIn.

How Does PASS Keep Your Data Safe?

passpacs on September 30, 2025

Data security. We’ve talked about it before, but we can never talk about it too much. Today’s topic? Data in transit. More specifically, what strategies we employ at PASS to ensure the information our clients share with us, and we with them, is well protected and secure as it moves between the two parties.

 

One of the primary tactics PASS uses to protect sensitive information is email encryption.  Encryption converts data into code to prevent unauthorized access. Anytime we include confidential or sensitive information in an email, we encrypt the email. This encryption makes it possible to send highly sensitive information to the intended recipient in a secure manner. And, all replies, both back and forth, that are part of the original email thread will automatically be encrypted as well.  No special software is required to read and reply to these encrypted emails.

 

Another strategy that we employ at PASS to protect sensitive information is data segregation. The concept of data segregation is quite simple: separate the data into organized categories based on some defined criteria, such as sensitivity or purpose, and limit the parties who have access to each category. That way, if there is an unauthorized data breach in one category, the other categories of data will remain secure. Data segregation helps mitigate the risk of a security incident and safeguards the remaining sensitive material.

 

What happens when larger files of a sensitive nature cannot be transmitted in a single email?  That’s where Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) comes in. In the simplest terms, SFTP is like having your own personal vault where you can store and transfer data in and out securely.  Once an SFTP connection has been established, data can be transferred to and from the SFTP server safely and securely, and data transferred via SFTP is encrypted.

 

At PASS, keeping your data safe and secure and your PAC compliant are two of our main priorities.

 

For more information about our data security and PAC compliance services, contact your Compliance Manager or reach out to Megan Allen at mallen@pass1.com.

Can We Talk About Effective Communication?

passpacs on August 30, 2025

I’ve been the “voice of PASS” for the last 20+ years and I’ve learned a thing or two about communicating in today’s dynamic business environment. We have hundreds of communication tools at our disposal that are invaluable for connecting teams and customers. Much like a great chef does not solely rely on their whisk to prepare a delectable chocolate souffle, effective communication requires the right tools AND a thoughtful strategy.

 

Effective communication involves delivering a message clearly, with a positive attitude, and listening to gain meaning so the communicator feels heard and understood.

 

To communicate effectively, start by being clear and concise. Know your audience and what you would like to convey and what you would like the listener to take away from the conversation.

 

When writing, effective communication requires that you are mindful of nonverbal communication and how that will come across to the reader. You can’t rely on a reader seeing your facial expressions or gestures so choose your words carefully and read your message out loud to see how it sounds when you speak the words.

 

When speaking, watch your tone. In general, it’s not always what you say but how you say it that can determine the outcome of a conversation. In written communications, be sure to read your communication several times before sending it – does it reflect the tone you intended?

 

Always practice active listening when speaking with someone. No one likes to have a conversation with someone who is constantly scanning the room to see who else is in the room. Without active listening, you don’t always hear the words being spoken or grasp the message.

 

Lastly, use the right medium or platform to communicate. Ask yourself: Should this be an in-person meeting, a phone call, a video chat, or an email? Ask yourself how you would want to be communicated with if the tables were turned and you were receiving the information.

 

At PASS, our message is clear: we are committed to keeping PACs on track through purposeful communication, supported by modern tools and a strategy grounded in trust, precision, and progress.

 

The PASS team recognizes that effective communication is fundamental to our mission. For over 40 years, we’ve leveraged the latest in communication and information technologies to support our clients and enhance collaboration within our team. Our commitment to clarity and innovation allows us to deliver high-quality, error-free services—guided by federal and state regulations and rooted in industry best practices.