Give once, monthly, in tribute, or as a gift. All in one place.

Every gift to CalTrout funds science in the field, dams out of rivers, and advocacy that keeps California’s water flowing. Choose how you want to give, we’ll take it from there.

  • Your circle benefits apply automatically at checkout
  • Give annually or monthly — same circle, your choice
  • $85/mo also makes you a Stronghold (monthly) donor
  • Tax-deductible · CalTrout is a 501(c)(3)

Giving Levels

Choose your level.
See what it opens.

Higher circles include everything below them. Every circle is a Fundraise Up campaign, so your perks are applied automatically at checkout.

Golden Trout Circles

Four distinct levels of annual leadership giving. Benefits do not accumulate; donors receive the stewardship, experiences, and annual collection associated with their highest qualifying level.

Golden Trout$1,000–$4,999 annuallyAn entry point into leadership giving at CalTrout.
Steelhead$5,000–$9,999 annuallyDeeper annual investment with level-specific stewardship.
Watershed$10,000–$24,999 annuallyLeadership support with eligibility for Trout Camp.
Headwaters$25,000+ annuallyCalTrout’s highest annual giving level, with a distinct signature experience.
Access and communications
Golden Trout Circle donor communications
Donor-facing events and speaker invitationsLevel-specific opportunities may vary.
First access to CalTrout signature fishing trips
Level-specific stewardship and experiencesBenefits are distinct rather than cumulative.
Signature experiences
Shasta Springs Trout Camp eligibilityReserved for the Watershed level.
Headwaters signature experienceA distinct experience; details to be announced.
Annual collection
Annual opt-in collectionOne level-specific piece per household, based on the highest qualifying level.
Collection pieceThe annual conservation theme and pieces may change each year.Golden Trout selectionSteelhead selectionWatershed selectionHeadwaters selection
$1,000–$4,999 annuallyLevel-specific annual collection pieceJoin Golden Trout$5,000–$9,999 annuallyLevel-specific annual collection pieceJoin Steelhead$10,000–$24,999 annuallyLevel-specific annual collection pieceJoin Watershed$25,000+ annuallyLevel-specific annual collection pieceJoin Headwaters

The annual collection is opt-in, limited to one piece per household each year, and follows one fixed claim and fulfillment cycle.

Golden Trout Circles

Four distinct levels of annual leadership giving. Benefits do not accumulate; donors receive the stewardship, experiences, and annual collection associated with their highest qualifying level.

Golden Trout$1,000–$4,999 annuallyAn entry point into leadership giving at CalTrout.

Access and communications

  • Golden Trout Circle donor communications
  • Donor-facing events and speaker invitationsLevel-specific opportunities may vary.
  • First access to CalTrout signature fishing trips
  • Level-specific stewardship and experiencesBenefits are distinct rather than cumulative.

Signature experiences

  • Shasta Springs Trout Camp eligibilityReserved for the Watershed level.
  • Headwaters signature experienceA distinct experience; details to be announced.

Annual collection

  • Annual opt-in collectionOne level-specific piece per household, based on the highest qualifying level.
  • Collection pieceThe annual conservation theme and pieces may change each year.Golden Trout selection
$1,000–$4,999 annuallyLevel-specific annual collection pieceJoin Golden Trout

The annual collection is opt-in, limited to one piece per household each year, and follows one fixed claim and fulfillment cycle.

LEgacy Giving

Leave a river to the next generation.

Honoring CalTrout with a gift in your will or living trust is a meaningful way to leave a legacy of support that makes a difference for generations to come. When you leave a legacy gift, you help ensure future generations can enjoy California’s wild places and the cold, clean waters that flow through them.

Bequests, retirement assets, and charitable trusts are all welcome, and most are simple to set up. Notify us of your plans and you’ll be honored in the Richard May Legacy Circle, our legacy-gift recognition group named for CalTrout’s founder.

 “In 1971, Richard May and a small but passionate group of anglers formed CalTrout with a simple goal: protect and restore wild trout and steelhead waters throughout California.”

Joan & Eric, Legacy Circle members since 2019

GOOD TO KNOW

Your giving questions, answered.

Your donation goes to where it is needed most – it helps fill the critical gaps in between state, federal, and private funding for both projects and operations. Your gift is the stable bedrock that allows us to stay nimble in a quickly shifting funding landscape. Your donation also shows funders that we have a trusted community that believes in our work.

California Trout is a registered 501(c)(3) – your gift is fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. 

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We welcome gifts in tribute and are honored to send special acknowledgements as is requested. Please reach out to info@caltrout.org and our team would be happy to support.

Please reach out to info@caltrout.org to update or cancel your monthly gift.

Donors who leave a gift to CalTrout in their will become part of the Richard May Legacy Society – your gift is our future. Visit caltroutlegacy.org to learn more about the charitable giving vehicles available or reach out to Director of Development, Sierra Wildeor at swildeor@caltrout.org for support with planning your legacy gift.

Charity Navigator · 4-Star

Our top rating for accountability and financial
transparency, from the largest independent charity
evaluator in the U.S.

%

87¢ of every dollar to programs

An 86.7% program expense ratio — the large majority of every gift goes straight to conservation, not overhead.

501(c)(3) since 1971

California’s first statewide trout & steelhead conservation nonprofit. Tax-deductible · EIN 23- 7097680.

Every gift keeps a river flowing

California’s rivers can’t wait. Neither should we.

However you choose to give — once, monthly, or as part of a Giving Circle — your support puts science in the field and dams out of rivers. Pick the path that’s right for you.

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