A book club, a birding group, a knitting circle, a board game night at the local shop: hobby clubs give adults a reason to show up somewhere regularly and see the same faces. Employers include them in an LSA because friendships outside work are hard to build as an adult, and a membership fee or supply cost is often what keeps people from joining.
Who finds community through hobby clubs
Employees who relocated for the job often use a hobby club as their first way to meet people in a new city. Remote workers who spend most days alone value a regular in-person commitment on the calendar. Parents whose children recently left home sometimes return to an old interest they set aside years ago. New hires occasionally discover coworkers share a hobby and start an internal club. Since interests vary so widely, letting people choose their own club works better than one company-wide activity. For related ideas, see our article on employee resource groups.
Club costs employees commonly claim
The category usually covers what it takes to join a club and keep participating.
- Annual dues for a photography, birding or astronomy club
- Books for a book club and tickets to author events
- Yarn, fabric and supplies for a crafting circle
- Entry fees for board game or trivia league nights
- Group pottery, painting or woodworking sessions
- Required safety gear for a hiking or cycling club, like a helmet
- Small fees to host or organize a new hobby group
To compare this with other popular categories, read our breakdown of LSA eligible expenses.
Where hobby club spending gets capped
- Private country club and golf club initiation fees are often excluded or capped because of their cost.
- Alcohol, food and bar tabs at club meetings are usually excluded.
- Large one-time equipment purchases, like a telescope or kiln, may exceed category limits even when tied to a club.
- Clubs that require membership in a political or religious organization are commonly left out.
- Online-only communities are sometimes excluded when membership doesn't involve meeting or doing anything with other people.
Making a hobby club category work
Keep the social part central
Focus the category on group participation, like dues, shared events and group classes, rather than solo hobby purchases. That keeps it distinct from a general hobbies or creativity category.
Support employee-led clubs
Let employees who start an internal club use funds for supplies or meeting costs. Company clubs are an easy way for people on different teams to meet.
Set limits for pricey memberships
Decide early how to treat expensive clubs such as golf or private social clubs, so the category stays fair to people with lower-cost hobbies.
Frequently asked questions
Can an LSA cover hobby-based social club memberships?
Many employers include hobby clubs under social wellbeing, and the specifics are up to the plan. Dues, group event fees and shared supplies are the most common expenses.
Does a golf club membership count?
It depends on your employer. Some plans allow league fees at public courses but exclude or cap private club initiation fees because of their cost.
Can I buy supplies for a solo hobby instead of a club?
Some plans allow that under a separate hobby or creativity category. In a social club category, employers usually want the purchase tied to group participation. Check both categories before buying.
Can coworkers use LSA funds to start a club together?
Many plans let each person claim their own dues or supplies for an employee-led club. Check whether your employer also has a separate budget for company clubs. If one person buys supplies for the whole group, a short note explaining the split helps.
Because LSAs are post-tax benefits, reimbursements are usually taxable. Read more on how LSA reimbursements are taxed.
This content is general information, not medical, legal, tax, or financial advice. Employer plan terms determine eligibility, and requirements may vary by location.
