Current Fund Descriptions
ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease Research Fund
Contributions will be used to conduct research relating to the cause, cure, and prevention of ALS.
For more information, contact the ALS Association.
Alzheimer's Disease/Related Disorders Fund
Contributions will provide grants to California scientists who study Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. This research includes basic science, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, behavioral problems, and care giving. With one-half million Californians living with the disease and another 2 million providing care to a loved one with Alzheimer's, our state is in the early stages of a major public health crisis. Your contribution will ensure that Alzheimer's disease receives the attention, research, and resources it deserves.
For more information, visit their Website at Department of Health Services.
California Breast Cancer Research Fund
Contributions will fund research toward preventing and curing breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer to strike women in California. It kills 4,000 California women each year. Contributions also fund research on prevention and better treatment, and keep doctors up-to-date on research progress.
For more information, visit their Website at California Breast Cancer Research Program.
California Cancer Center Research Fund
Contributions will be used to conduct research relating to the causes, detection, and prevention of cancer and to expand community-based education on cancer, and to provide prevention and awareness activities for communities that are disproportionately at risk or afflicted by cancer.
For more information, contact University of California.
California Firefighters' Memorial Fund
Contributions will be used for the repair and maintenance of the California Firefighters' Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol, ceremonies to honor the memory of fallen firefighters and to assist surviving loved ones, and for an informational guide detailing survivor benefits to assist the spouses and children of fallen firefighters.
For more information, visit their Website at California Fire Foundation.
California Fund for Senior Citizens
Contributions will provide support for the California Senior Legislature (CSL). The CSL is made up of volunteers who develop statewide senior related legislative proposals in areas of health, housing, transportation, and community services to be presented to the State Legislaturewww.4csl.org.
For more information, visit the Website for California Senior Legislature or call the California Commission on Aging.
California Military Family Relief Fund
Contributions will be used to provide financial aid grants to members of the California National Guard who are California residents, and have been called to active duty.
To qualify for a grant all of the following must be met:
- Individuals are members of the California National Guard.
- They are California residents.
- Members were called to active duty for at least 100 consecutive days.
- Their military salary is at least 30% less than their civilian salary.
For more information, visit their Website at California Military Family Relief Fund.
California Ovarian Cancer Research Fund
Contributions will be used to conduct research relating to the cause, cure, and prevention of ovarian cancer.
For more information, contact the University of California.
California Peace Officer Memorial Foundation Fund
Contributions will be used to preserve the memory of California's fallen peace officers and assist the families they left behind. Since statehood, over 1,300 courageous California peace officers have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting law-abiding citizens. The non-profit charitable organization, California Peace Officers' Memorial Foundation, has accepted the privilege and responsibility of maintaining a memorial for fallen officers on the State Capitol grounds. Each May, the Memorial Foundation conducts a dignified ceremony honoring fallen officers and their surviving families by offering moral support, crisis counseling, and financial support that includes academic scholarships for the children of those officers who have made the supreme sacrifice.
For more information, contact the California Peace Officer Memorial Foundation or visit their Website at California Highway Patrol.
California Sea Otter Fund
The California Coastal Conservancy and the Department of Fish and Game will each be allocated 50 percent of the contributions. The California Coastal Conservancy will use the contributions for research and programs related to the near-shore ecosystem, including sea otters. The Department of Fish and Game will use the contributions to establish a sea otter fund within the department's index coding system for increased investigation, prevention, and enforcement action.
For more information, contact the California Department of Fish & Game or the California Coastal Conservancy.
California Senior Special Fund
If you and/or your spouse are 65 years of age or older as of December 31, 2009, and claim the Senior Exemption Credit on line 9, you may make a combined total contribution of up to $198 or $99 per spouse. Contributions entered to this fund will be distributed to the Area Agency of Aging Councils (TACC) to provide advice on and sponsorship of Senior Citizens issues. Any excess contributions not required by TACC will be distributed to senior citizen service organizations throughout California for meals, adult day care, and transportation.
Caution: Only taxpayers or spouses who claim the senior exemption credit on their California return may contribute to the Senior Special Fund. The contribution amount must not exceed the amount of the senior exemption credit. See table below:
| Senior Special Fund | Maximum Contribution (Tax Year) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | |
| Taxpayer (65 years or older) | $99 | $94 | $91 | $87 | $85 | $82 | $80 |
| Taxpayer and Spouse (65 years or older) | $198 | $188 | $182 | $174 | $170 | $164 | $160 |
For more information, visit their Website at the California Commission on Aging or Department of Aging.
Emergency Food for Families Fund
Contributions will be used to help local food banks feed California’s hungry.
Your contribution will fund the purchase of much-needed food for delivery to food banks, pantries, and soup kitchens throughout the state. The State Department of Social Services will monitor its distribution to ensure the food is given to those most in need.
For more information, visit their Website at State Department of Social Services.
Municipal Shelter Spay-Neuter Fund
Contributions will be used to provide low cost or free spay-neuter services and for administrative costs.
For more information, contact California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Rare and Endangered Species Preservation Program
Contributions will be used to help protect and conserve California's many threatened and endangered species and the wild land that they need to survive, for the enjoyment and benefit of you and future generations of Californians.
For more information,visit their website at Department of Fish and Game.
State Children's Trust Fund for the Prevention of Child Abuse
Contributions will be used to fund programs for the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse and neglect.
For more information, visit their Website at State Department of Social Services.