Sperm banks / The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC)

Verified Sep 2026 · Nonprofit

The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC) Sperm Donor Pay & Requirements

Q: How much do sperm donors make at The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC)?

The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC) advertises up to $950–1,500 per month, at $200 per approved donation. It pays by check rather than same-day cash, and banks typically hold part of each payment until samples clear a 6-month FDA quarantine.

Q: What are the requirements to donate sperm at The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC)?

The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC) looks for donors aged 19–38, with a height its sources do not settle, Some college education, good health, and the ability to visit a collection site regularly. See the requirements section above for the full list.

Q: Where can I donate sperm at The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC)?

The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC) has collection sites in Berkeley, CA. Donation is in person, so proximity to a site is the real constraint.

501(c)(3) non-profit (ONLY nonprofit in US) · 1982 · FDA registered

Pay

$950–1,500

advertised monthly max

Walk-outDeferred

Per donation$200

Where

Berkeley, CA

1 collection site

Time

1-2 collections/week

6-12 months

Age

19–38

Sources disagree

Apply on their site Check requirements ↓

At a glance

Where and travel

Collection site: Berkeley CA
Within 40 miles

all open sites by state

Pay

Monthly: $950-$1,500+/month
Per donation: $200 per acceptable sample
Six-month: ~$5,700-$9,000
Annual: ~$11,400-$18,000
$500 when referral accepted + $500 if referral completes 6+ months = $1,000 max
Exit bonus: $700 at Exit Appointment (6 months after final donation); some sources say $500

Requirements

Age 19–38
Height: Sources disagree
Education: Some college experience (professional experience considered)
Citizenship: Able to work legally in US
Sexual partners: No orientation-based exclusion stated
Abstinence: At least 3 days (72h) before each screening sample; some accepted donors can qualify with 2 days
Not offered — nonprofit with a 10-family cap; only an internal vial-equity policy, no recipient buyout and no donor exclusivity bonus

Cadence

1-2 collections/week
6-12 months
6–12 month program, 1–2 collection appointments per week per week

Pay

Advertised monthly max: $950–1,500advertised monthly max. Published as $950-$1,500+/month
Per donation: $200 per acceptable sampleper donation
Walk-out pay: Paid monthly (retroactive on contract signing)at the visit
Deferred pay: Screening samples uncompensated; retroactive pay on acceptance
Six-month total: ~$5,700-$9,000over six months
Annual total: ~$11,400-$18,000per year
Referral: $500 when referral accepted + $500 if referral completes 6+ months = $1,000 maxreferral bonus
Exit bonus: $700 at Exit Appointment (6 months after final donation); some sources say $500

Compensation on this profile is the figure in the rows below.

Where and when

Where

Headquarters: Berkeley, CA
Collection sites: Berkeley CA
How close you must be: Within 40 miles

Time

Visits: 1-2 collections/week
Program length: 6-12 months
Abstinence: At least 3 days (72h) before each screening sample; some accepted donors can qualify with 2 days
Hours per week: 6–12 month program, 1–2 collection appointments per week

Do you qualify

Requirements

Age: 19–38
Height: Sources disagree
Also required: Education: Some college experience (professional experience considered)
Nicotine and drug use: Form asks family substance abuse history
Citizenship: Able to work legally in US
Sexual partners: No orientation-based exclusion stated
Acceptance rate: <5%

Acceptance rates are bank-claimed and typically count every web-form inquiry as an “applicant.” Treat them as marketing, not your real odds — the true denominator is never published.

How it works

Steps

Screening: ~8 weeks
Trial samples: Screening samples uncompensated; retroactive pay on acceptance

Covered and limits

Identity policy: Identity-release (pioneered this model)
Family limit: 10 families per donor (LOWEST in US)
Parental rights: Legal waiver signed
Inclusive recruiting: Actively recruiting men of all ethnicities, especially donors of color
Exclusivity: Not offered — nonprofit with a 10-family cap; only an internal vial-equity policy, no recipient buyout and no donor exclusivity bonus

Apply and contact

Apply on their site

Website: thespermbankofca.org
Founded: 1982
Type: 501(c)(3) non-profit (ONLY nonprofit in US)
FDA registered: Yes
EIN: 94-3059240

Frequently asked about The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC)

How much do sperm donors make at The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC)?

The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC) advertises up to $950–1,500 per month, at $200 per approved donation. It pays by check rather than same-day cash, and banks typically hold part of each payment until samples clear a 6-month FDA quarantine.

What are the requirements to donate sperm at The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC)?

The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC) looks for donors aged 19–38, with a height its sources do not settle, Some college education, good health, and the ability to visit a collection site regularly. See the requirements section above for the full list.

Where can I donate sperm at The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC)?

The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC) has collection sites in Berkeley, CA. Donation is in person, so proximity to a site is the real constraint.