Pay your taxes, help a good cause.

• Position: Trends And Transitions - Brief Article

National interest in income tax check-off programs has mounted steadily since Colorado, the first state to allow taxpayers to use income tax forms to contribute to a nonpolitical charitable program, created the Colorado Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund in 1977. At least 35 states now have similar funds that receive taxpayer check-off money.

Nearly all states that have state income taxes offer at least one check-off option. Coloradans can contribute to 11 check-off choices this tax year, each approved separately by the legislature, and ranging from domestic abuse to homeless prevention to pet overpopulation. Although only 3 percent of Colorado taxpayers made check-off donations last year, they contributed nearly $1.5 million, with the average donation just under $10. Ohio taxpayers have contributed more than $21 million since 1984.

Some 220 check-off funds in 41 states and the District of Columbia help finance as many as 80 different causes, according to the Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA). They fund services for children, seniors, veterans and the homeless. They help pay for sports stadiums...