Support for our respected non-partisan work builds good will for our sponsors among elected officials from both parties, businesses, community groups, educators, parents, and citizens throughout California. Funds to support the California Center--tax deductible in most cases--have been allocated by previous sponsors from internal budgets including community affairs, government or public relations (most common), marketing, or from their company foundation or political action committee.

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Why Support Capitol Focus and the California Center?
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Opportunities for General Support:

MAJOR DONOR ($15,000-$25,000): Provides crucial support for all California Center programs serving thousands each year. A portion may be earmarked to cover a specific high visibility program, or program fees for participants from a target audiences of the sponsor’s choice. May be offered as a challenge grant to encourage others to provide matching support. Benefits include preeminent widespread recognition on all California Center materials, exclusive recognition on special program materials, a California Journal Advertisement (donated) to announce the contribution, first crack at the best tables at the California Roast, and the opportunity for positive public and community relations statewide. Major donors now include State Farm Insurance and the James Irvine Foundation.

SUSTAINING SPONSOR ($5,000-$14,000): Provides crucial general support for all California Center programs serving thousands each year. Benefits include widespread recognition on California Center materials and first crack at the better Roast Tables. Many sustaining sponsors provide additional support in the form of funds earmarked to cover program fees for a targeted audiences. A partial list of sustaining sponsors includes the Pacific Telesis Group, Chevron USA, Bank of America, Union Pacific Railroad, the California Teachers Association and Connerly & Associates.

CONTRIBUTOR ($1,500- $2,500): Provides General Support for all California Center programs. Includes recognition on materials. Contributors may provide funds to establish a limited number of scholarships to cover program fees for targeted audience. Recent contributors include Johnson & Johnson, Louisiana Pacific, and Southern California Edison.

FRIENDS ($500-$1,500): Provides general support for California Center. Includes Recognition on some materials. Recent contributors at the Friends level include Mechanics Bank, Food 4 Less, and the Western Mobile home Parkowners Association.

SUPPORTERS ($50-$500): Provides general support for California Center. If derived from a local source, may be earmarked to cover the program fee of a student from a particular school or community. More than 100 local businesses, individuals and service clubs have supported California Center at this level.

Special or Targeted Sponsorship Opportunities With California Center

PROGRAMS FEES FOR A TARGETED AUDIENCE OR COMMUNITY ($1,500 - $20,000): Sponsors who provide general support for California Center at the contributor level or higher, may earmark additional support to cover program fees for a targeted audience such as youth from a particular community, school or legislative district; children of their employees, children of the members of their association, or for youth from disadvantaged communities to help California Center maintain diversity among participants. The Chevron Companies, Bank of America, Great Western, GTE California, and State Farm are among California Center sponsors who have exercised this option.

THEMATIC SYMPOSIUM: LAW, ENERGY, HEALTH CARE OR THE ECONOMY ($2,500-$10,000): Support covers the development costs for one of four upcoming symposiums on the topics listed above. A portion may be set aside to sponsor one or more of teams of students and adults from communities selected by the donor. These teams will come to Sacramento to study related issues and then return to their communities to make reports and plan events benefiting hundreds more. Thematic symposium sponsors receive the same benefit package as contributors or sustaining sponsors, plus additional exclusive recognition for support of the particular program. This option is specifically designed to encourage support from sponsors who would find it easier to support California Center if that support is earmarked for the study of issues related to their work. CCPOA, the State Bar Association, the California Medical Association, Union Pacific and others are considering support for a thematic symposiums.

ELECTION PROJECTS: NON-PARTISAN TOWN HALL CONFERENCES AND MEDIA EVENTS STATEWIDE($15,000-$25,000): To support a comprehensive, statewide series of non-partisan educational activities focusing on the issues and candidates on the ballot. As a result of a summer training conference, thousands of citizens and youth will be stimulated and informed through town-hall style conferences, written materials and activities, access to on-line voter information, a live teleconference, and statewide and local cable television coverage. The 1994 and 1996 versions of this project attracted local and national media. Sponsor would receive major donor benefits along with the opportunity to invite teams from targeted communities statewide. Two or three prospective contributors are studying a proposal to fund this project, which is the most attractive major donor option offered in terms of numbers served and recognition.

COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES CONFERENCE ($7,500-$15,000): To support development and participation in a California Center style local program serving hundreds of youth in a community or region chosen by the sponsor. From 1986-1993 California Center conducted more than twenty Community Perspectives programs serving over 4,500 youth in eight counties. These programs are now conducted as part of the California Youth Action League or upon invitation by a prospective sponsor. Donor would receive statewide sustaining sponsor benefit package and more extensive public relations benefits in the particular community.