FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2017

Media Contact:
Jessica Merrill, Communications & Development Manager: jessica@cpedv.org | (916) 444-7163, x118

New voluntary tax contribution option will benefit California survivors of domestic violence

California Partnership to End Domestic Violence and Assemblywoman Catherine Baker launch new tax donation campaign: California Taxpayers Support Survivors

SACRAMENTO — For the first time, Californians can make a tax contribution to support services like counseling and legal assistance for survivors of domestic violence. AB 1399, authored by Assemblywoman Catharine Baker and sponsored by the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (the Partnership), created the California Domestic Violence Victims Fund as a voluntary contribution on the 2016 California State Tax Return. The Partnership is asking every taxpayer to donate a minimum of $20 to help reach at least $250,000—the amount required to stay on the tax form each year.

The new campaign, California Taxpayers Support Survivors, seeks to shed light on the statewide need for additional funding: In just one day in 2015, 5,177 survivors received lifesaving services throughout California. There were an additional 1,091 unmet requests for services due to a shortage of funds and staff capacity.[1]

“We want to ensure each and every home in California is safe from domestic abuse,” said Kathy Moore, Executive Director of the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. “Your contribution through this tax check-off will help domestic violence victims and their families across the state.”

“As domestic violence programs encounter increasing needs without increasing funds, now more than ever our state needs to facilitate support from Californians in a way that is efficient and effective, to ensure these programs have the resources to serve the needs of the community,” said Assemblywoman Catharine Baker. “The Domestic Violence Victims Fund provides a creative solution to this problem by giving individuals an easy, efficient opportunity to make a charitable contribution.”

California taxpayers can contribute to the California Domestic Violence Victims Fund, located on Form 540, Side 4, Line 14 and Code 433. Donated funds will be distributed by the Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to non-profit domestic violence programs across California.

To learn more about the tax check off campaign, please visit cpedv.org/tax-checkoff.

About the Partnership

The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (the Partnership) is California’s recognized domestic violence coalition, representing over 1,000 advocates, organizations and allied individuals across the state. Working at the local, state and national levels for nearly 40 years, the Partnership has a long track record of successfully passing over 200 pieces of legislation on behalf of domestic violence victims and their children. The Partnership believes that by sharing expertise, advocates and legislators can end domestic violence. Through our public policy, communications and capacity building programs, we create system-wide change that supports survivors and invests in prevention. Every day we inspire, inform and connect all those concerned with this issue, because together we’re stronger. With offices in Sacramento, the Partnership’s member programs span the entire state. For more information, visit www.cpedv.org.

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