Sperm banks / The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC)
Verified Sep 2026

The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC) donor pay and requirements

A field-by-field review of compensation, eligibility, time commitment, locations, and program terms from the complete DonorIndex dataset.

What the headline number means

Paid monthly (retroactive on contract signing)

Locations and program

open
Berkeley CA
proximity
Within 40 miles
name
The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC)
hq
Berkeley, CA
website
thespermbankofca.org
type
501(c)(3) non-profit (ONLY nonprofit in US)
ein
94-3059240
founded
1982
fda registered
Yes
identity policy
Identity-release (pioneered this model)
family limit
10 families per donor (LOWEST in US)
parental rights
Legal waiver signed
inclusive policy
Actively recruiting men of all ethnicities, especially donors of color

Commitment

program length
6-12 months
frequency
1-2 collections/week
hours per week
6–12 month program, 1–2 collection appointments per week
abstinence
At least 3 days (72h) before each screening sample; some accepted donors can qualify with 2 days
screening duration
~8 weeks
unpaid test
Screening samples uncompensated; retroactive pay on acceptance

Requirements

age
19-38
height
5'7" traditional minimum [secondary]
education
Some college experience (professional experience considered)
bmi
Not publicly disclosed
smoking
Form asks family substance abuse history [partial]
citizenship
Able to work legally in US
sexual partners
No orientation-based exclusion stated
acceptance rate
<5% [secondary]

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.

Compensation

monthly gross
$950-$1,500+/month
per donation
$200 per acceptable sample
cash at visit
Paid monthly (retroactive on contract signing)
deferred
Screening samples uncompensated; retroactive pay on acceptance
six month
~$5,700-$9,000
annual
~$11,400-$18,000
referral bonus
$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
exclusivity
Not offered — nonprofit with a 10-family cap; only an internal vial-equity policy, no recipient buyout and no donor exclusivity bonus

What we don’t know yet

These details were not publicly available when this profile was verified.

  • bmi

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 5'7" height minimum, 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, usually 1–3 times a week, so proximity to a site is the real constraint.

Related guides

Ready to apply to The Sperm Bank of California (TSBC)?

Start on the official site, or compare it against the rest first.