Can I use appropriated funds to purchase awards and recognition items?
You may use appropriated funds to pay for award and recognition items such as, but not limited to, T-shirts, pins, mugs, wildlife art or books, lunch/dinner, or other items for the volunteer(s). 3.15 Can I give a monetary award to a volunteer? The National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership Enhancement Act of 1998 allows us to give volunteers nominal monetary awards in recognition of their contributions to the Government. A. When should volunteers receive monetary awards? Monetary awards are an appropriate way to recognize volunteers who demonstrate exemplary performance of duties. B. Can monetary awards affect a volunteer’s tax status? Monetary awards may affect the volunteer’s status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Monetary awards may also jeopardize a person’s status as a volunteer under regulations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Volunteers who receive monetary awards should refer any questions regarding monetary awards and tax status to the
