What counts as in-kind
When someone gives your campaign goods or services for free, or for less than they normally charge, the difference is a contribution. Value it at the usual price and report it like money.
Goods or services provided free or below the usual and normal charge are a contribution.
Source: 11 CFR 100.52, Gift, subscription, loan, advance or deposit of money checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
the provision of any goods or services without charge or at a charge that is less than the usual and normal charge for such goods or services is a contribution.
An in-kind contribution counts against the giver's limit the same way money does.
Source: FEC, Contribution limits for candidates (2025-2026 federal elections) checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
The value of an in-kind contribution —the usual and normal charge —counts against the contribution limit as a gift of money does.
Volunteers
Unpaid volunteer services are not a contribution.
Source: 11 CFR 100.74, Uncompensated services by volunteers checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
The value of services provided without compensation by any individual who volunteers on behalf of a candidate or political committee is not a contribution.
If someone other than the campaign pays a person to work on it, that is an in-kind contribution the campaign must report.
Source: FEC, Volunteer activity checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
If the payment is made by someone other than the campaign itself, then an in-kind contribution results and the campaign must report it.
House parties, travel and discounts
Three common volunteer costs have a set exemption. Spending above the line becomes an in-kind contribution.
A volunteer can host an event at home. No contribution results from using the home itself.
Source: 11 CFR 100.75, Use of a volunteer's real or personal property checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
No contribution results where an individual, in the course of volunteering personal services on his or her residential premises to any candidate
The host can spend up to $1,000 per candidate per election on invitations, food and drinks for that event before it counts as a contribution.
Source: 11 CFR 100.77, Invitations, food, and beverages checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
The aggregate value of such invitations, food and beverages provided by the individual on behalf of the candidate does not exceed $1,000 with respect to any single election
A person's unreimbursed travel for a candidate is exempt up to $1,000 per election.
Source: 11 CFR 100.79, Unreimbursed payment for transportation and subsistence expenses checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
The aggregate value of the payments made by such individual on behalf of a candidate does not exceed $1,000 with respect to a single election
A vendor can sell food or drinks at a discount, as long as the price covers cost, with up to $1,000 of discount per candidate per election.
Source: 11 CFR 100.78, Sale of food or beverages by vendor checked 2026-10-26
What the source says
The aggregate value of such discount given by the vendor on behalf of any single candidate does not exceed $1,000 with respect to any single election
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