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- ican!

# Voluntary Contributions

Voluntary contributions are a critical source of program funding to support Older Americans Act nutrition services. 

## Tools & Toolkits

                    - Voluntary Contributions                       - Voluntary Contributions Menu  — Do’s and don’ts when it comes to voluntary contributions
                      - Policy Examples                         - Idaho Policy Example
                        - Iowa Policy Example
                        - New Jersey Policy Example 
                      - Signs and Posters                         - Contribution Sign  — Example from Encore Café in Iowa
                        - Contributions Poster  — Example from Dane County, Wisconsin 
                      - Letters and Articles                         - Meal Contribution Letter  — Example from Door County, Wisconsin
                        - Contribution Letter  — Example from WesleyLife Iowa
                        - What Does a Meal Cost  — Dane County, Wisconsin stakeholder education article 
                      - Materials Examples                         - Behaviorally Informed Intervention Materials — Description of GSA pilot study on increasing voluntary contributions at congregate meal sites
                        - Understanding Participants’ Monetary Contributions  — ACL issue brief on voluntary contributions at nutrition sites 

## Briefs

                    -   Identifying the Total Cost of a Meal  — Summary brief for meal cost calculations to accurately assess and encourage voluntary contributions based on the actual cost of nutrition services                       - Extended Brief 
                    - Increasing Voluntary Contributions at Congregate Meals Program Sites — Office of Evaluation Science report on behavioral science to increase voluntary contributions
                    - Title III-C Nutrition Services Program: Understanding Participants’ Monetary Contributions  — Issue brief on how participants’ monetary contributions affect participant services and the number of participants served

*Last modified on 12/12/2023*

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ACL funds the Nutrition and Aging Resource Center to build the capacity of senior nutrition programs funded by the Older Americans Act to provide high-quality, person-centered services and enhance program sustainability and resiliency.

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An official website of the Administration for Community Living, an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.