Why Donate?

Make a difference in the lives of others AND receive benefits for yourself!

There is a shortage of sperm donors nationwide! The Sperm Bank of California provides inclusive family building services to LGBTQ+ couples, single parents, and heterosexual couples. Most intended parents seek a donor who shares their heritage. We encourage men of all ethnic backgrounds to apply so we can assist families from all ethnic backgrounds.

People of color wanting to create families who share their ethnicity could use your help! Help build families for people of ALL ethnic backgrounds. The national sperm donor shortage has been particularly challenging for Black intended parents seeking Black sperm donors. 

Sperm donors are required by the FDA to undergo regular blood and urine testing for sexually transmitted infections, and also physical exams. All tests and exams are provided to our donors free of charge.

Sperm samples are evaluated for sperm count, shape and movement–factors that impact fertility. Donors are tested for recessive genetic conditions using an expanded carrier screening panels with hundreds of genes and meet with a Genetic Counselor to go over their family medical history and review the testing.

Donors earn $150 for each acceptable sperm sample, plus bonuses. Most donors donate once a week; some donate more often. Donors who make regular weekly or twice-weekly appointments can earn $700-$1200+ per month.

Six months after their final donation, donors return for an Exit Appointment for final blood and urine testing. They are paid $500 at this appointment.

How Does it Work?

  • Fill out an online application and submit it.
  • If your application is preliminarily accepted, you will be contacted by our Donor Coordination Team by email to discuss the next steps.
  • You will hear from us within two weeks.

Test Sample:

  • Applicants will be invited to an appointment to see if their sperm counts are high enough to move forward.
  • A test sperm sample will be provided in a private collection room at our Berkeley location.
  • If your test sample meets our minimum requirements, you will be invited to the next step.

How to prepare:

  • To have the best chance of providing an acceptable (high sperm count) sample, you need to abstain from ejaculating for 3 days (72 hours) before providing each sample.
  • If you do not have at least 3 days of abstinence, your sperm sample is unlikely to meet the lab’s requirements. More than 4 days of abstinence is not recommended.

Intake Appointment (virtual):

  • We will provide more information about the donor screening process.
  • Our team will take a brief family medical history and ask screening questions to assess your eligibility to be a sperm donor based on state and federal requirements.

If moved forward to Screening & Testing, applicants are expected to make once-a-week appointments in the lab to leave a sperm sample along with completing the other steps.

Other steps during this phase include the following:

  • Medical screening: STI testing, genetic testing (expanded carrier screening), physical exam
  • Family medical history review: detailed personal and family health history form, review of medical history with a genetic counselor
  • Personal information: write a personal narrative, provide a baby photo, interviews with our team
  • Education about sperm donation: information and education sessions to ensure we answer all your questions so you can provide fully informed consent to participate

During this phase, check payments are provided at various steps. If you pass the Screening and Testing Phase and are approved to be a Program Donor, you will be paid retroactively for all of the acceptable sperm samples that you provided in Phase 2.

If you are approved, you will sign a contract. Donors are expected to participate in the program for 6-12 months making 1-2 collection appointments per week.

At the time that you sign a contract with TSBC, we will pay you for the acceptable sperm samples that you provided during the Phase 2 screening period.

Once the contract is signed,  you will be paid once a month for your acceptable sperm samples. As an approved Program Donor, you will have quarterly blood and urine tests and biannual physical exams, all of which are paid for by TSBC.

In accordance with federal and state regulations, all TSBC Program Donors’ samples are quarantined for six months. You will be required to return to our office for a final blood test six months after your last collection appointment. Program donors receive a $500 bonus payment after the exit blood testing.

Am I Qualified?

We welcome men of all ethnicities and backgrounds as donors.
You are eligible to begin the donor screening process if you…

are between
21 and 39 years old

can make a
6-12 month
commitment

live within
40 miles of
our office

are able to
work legally in
the United States

can provide a
family medical
history