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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for Gift of Public Funds

How Can Local Governments Celebrate the Holidays?

November 10, 2025  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  Governance ,  Gift of Public Funds ,  Special Events

Celebrating the winter holidays can be fun, but local governments, their staff, and elected officials should think carefully before pulling out decorations, planning parties, or accepting gifts. 

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Legal Requirements for Hosting Government Open Houses or Coffee Chats

August 25, 2025  by  Julie Nicoll
Category:  Gift of Public Funds ,  Open Public Meetings Act ,  Public Records Act ,  Public Participation

Local governments should ensure open houses follow public meeting laws, agency policies, and rules on food, space use, and public spending.

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Lending a Hand: Offering Public Employees Paid Time Off to Volunteer

February 10, 2025  by  Flannary Collins
Category:  Gift of Public Funds ,  Leave Policies ,  Personnel Policies

While good benefits can attract people to your agency, so can intangible perks, such as providing paid time off to volunteer (VTO). In order to offer paid VTO, agencies must craft a policy that clearly identifies those volunteer opportunities that qualify for the paid leave.

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a broken storefront window

Overcoming Roadblocks: How Federal Funds Can Support Local Business

September 16, 2024  by  Harry Boesche
Category:  Financing Economic Development ,  Gift of Public Funds ,  Federal Funding

Businesses that experience interruptions due to public street projects can impact a whole community. Local governments may want to help, but they also must follow the statewide gift of public funds prohibition. Use of federal grants funds may help accomplish both objectives.

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A man is excited to have received a gift card

Safely Using Incentives in Public Engagement Activities

February 8, 2023  by  Eric Lowell
Category:  Gift of Public Funds ,  Inclusive Communities ,  Federal Funding

Can gift cards be given as an incentive for completing a local government survey? Can stipends be provided to volunteers participating in local government projects or advisory boards? With proper procedures in place, incentives can be a way to boost community participation.

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Donations and Local Governments: The Basics of Giving and Receiving

June 2, 2022  by  Eric Lowell
Category:  Financial Reporting ,  Gift of Public Funds

What is the process for local governments to receive donations? Can local governments make donations without violating the state's gift of public funds provisions?

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A How-To Guide to Sponsoring Summer Celebrations

April 26, 2022  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Gift of Public Funds ,  Special Events

Summer is coming and with it, the possibility of public celebrations! But a local government should plan carefully to both make the event a success and be sure that it does not unintentionally violate the constitutional gift of public funds prohibition. 

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A Refresher on the Gift of Public Funds

October 15, 2020  by  Oskar Rey
Category:  Gift of Public Funds

This blog provides on overview of the state's prohibition on gifts of public funds for local governments and elected officials, including tips on avoiding violations of the prohibition. 

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Municipal Giving and Receiving

October 24, 2017  by  Paul Sullivan
Category:  Gift of Public Funds

The holiday season is approaching. What are the rules surrounding municipal gift "giving" and "receiving?" Consultant Paul Sullivan explores the rules and offers some advice. 

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