2 U.S.C. § 806 — Powers, functions, and limitations

(a) General operating and expenditure authority. Subject to the limits in this section, the Board may take actions and make expenditures necessary to carry out the Congressional Award Program. (1) It must use: (A) resources from sources other than the Federal Government; and (B) funds awarded in a Federal grant program, if the law establishing that program permits it. (2) It may not take an action that would disqualify it from treatment for tax purposes as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of title 26.\n\n(b) Mandatory functions. (1) The Board must establish functions and procedures needed to carry out this chapter. (2) They must include: (A) communicating with local Congressional Award Councils; (B) on request, technical assistance for their responsibilities, including medals, applications, application guidance, local award ceremonies, and other responsibilities; (C) outreach to establish new local Councils, particularly in inner-city and rural areas; (D) outreach to encourage, where appropriate, Statewide Councils; (E) fundraising; (F) an annual Gold Medal Awards ceremony in the District of Columbia; (G) considering implementation of the scholarship provisions; and (H) managing the national office, including supervising personnel and the office budget.\n\n(c) Statewide Congressional Award Councils. (1) For Statewide Councils, the Board must develop formation guidelines, criteria, and standards. Members of Congress and Senators from each State are encouraged to work jointly with the Board to create one. (2) They are intended to: (A) facilitate expanded public participation and involvement; and (B) promote greater opportunities for State congressional-delegation involvement. (3) Each Council must include: (A) promoting State and local awareness; (B) reviewing participant records and activities; (C) reviewing and verifying candidate information and recommending candidates to the national Board; (D) planning and organizing bronze and silver ceremonies; (E) helping gold recipients travel to and from the national ceremony; and (F) designating a Statewide coordinator as liaison among State, local, and national boards. (4) A Council may receive and use contributions for the Program. The Board must adopt financial-management methods for proper accounting. Each Council must comply with subsections (a), (d), (e), and (h) as they govern the Board. (5) Each Council must comply with the national board’s standard charter requirements.\n\n(d) Contracting authority. The Board may enter and perform appropriate contracts, but may not obligate itself to spend more during the fiscal year than is available for that contract’s purpose in that year.\n\n(e) Obtaining and accepting non-Federal funds and resources; indirect resources. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Board may seek and accept funds and other resources. It may not accept resources: (A) donated with a use restriction unless limited to furthering the Program, a specific regional or local program, or scholarships; or (B) donated on condition that the donor remain anonymous. It may allow donors to use the Board’s name or “Congressional Award Program” in advertising. (2) Except as this chapter provides, it may not receive Federal funds or resources. It may benefit from in-kind and indirect resources from congressional offices or Congress, and from indirect benefits of collaborative efforts with entities receiving Federal funds or resources.\n\n(f) Voluntary, uncompensated personnel. The Board may accept and use services of unpaid volunteers.\n\n(g) Lease, etc., of real or personal property. The Board may lease or otherwise hold, acquire, or dispose of real or personal property necessary for or related to its duties.\n\n(h) Fiscal authority. The Board may not: (1) issue bonds, notes, debentures, or similar long-term debt; (2) issue stock or declare or pay dividends; or (3) let income or assets benefit a director, officer, or employee, except as reasonable compensation or expense reimbursement.\n\n(i) Congressional Award Foundation. (1) The Board must provide for incorporation of a nonprofit corporation called the Congressional Award Foundation, together with any desirable subsidiary nonprofit corporations collectively called the “Corporation” in this subchapter. Its sole purpose is to assist the Board with the Program. The Board must delegate appropriate duties, including employing personnel, spending funds, and incurring financial or other contractual obligations. (2) The articles must provide: (A) the Foundation’s directors are the Board members, up to 24 additional voting members appointed by the Board, and the Director as a nonvoting member; and (B) the Foundation has the same extent of authority as the Board. (3) No director, officer, or employee of a corporation formed under this subsection may receive compensation, travel expenses, or benefits from both the Corporation and the Board.