California's fairs are major venues for community groups and nonprofit organizations to raise money and awareness of their programs

• In 2002, 730 nonprofit groups raised $8 million dollars at California fairs for their community programs. Add in the $21 million raised at junior livestock auctions, and a total of $29 million was raised for community benefits.
• One nonprofit organization, the Turlock Lions Club, raises approximately 85 percent of its annual budget from fundraising events held at the Stanislaus County fairgrounds. Proceeds from these events go to fund scholarships for local high school students, eye exams and glasses for needy children, youth sports teams, youth attendance at camps for the hearing impaired, and school playground equipment.