Compliance Reminder: Membership Dues and Federal Grant Funds

Last year, the U.S. Department of Education sent many districts a letter reiterating that federal grant funds may not be used to pay membership dues if any portion of those dues supports lobbying activities.

Because nonprofit organizations, including professional associations like ours, often use a portion of dues to contract for lobbying services, districts must not code MASE membership dues to federal special education funds.

Please review your district’s accounting practices to ensure compliance with this federal requirement. Membership dues should be charged only to appropriate, non-federal funding sources.

View the full Department of Education letter