Paying volunteers using gift cards

[Iris Wang]

We have a CDC funded project conducts innovation Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy programs.  Volunteers worked for a couple vaccination events for one to two hours.  

These volunteers come from the rural areas around Duluth.   They hand out flyers and setup the tents etc.  They are not U of M staff/student.  PI gave each of the volunteer $25 gift card. The total amount is less than $600 IRS threshold.  Total 11 gift cards were distributed. Do we allow to give volunteers gift cards?  

[Matt Kerttula]

If this was budgeted on the grant it would likely be an allowable charge.  Looks like CDC addresses them and says they are allowable as well for COVID incentives so I would think it would be ok for this

https://www.cdc.gov/cpr/readiness/00_docs/Using_Federal_Funds_to_Support_COVID-19_Response_Incentives_Update_August_12_FINAL.pdf