To recognize health care volunteers who have incurred serious injury or lost their lives as a direct consequence of their participation in polio eradication activities. The families of the workers, who have been the victims of automobile crashes, military conflicts and other life-threatening events, receive a certificate recognizing the victim's heroic commitment to polio eradication and a cash tribute.

To provide laboratory support for the analysis of immunogenicity and shedding of new oral Poliovirus vaccines in human clinical trials and related issues for polio endgame.

To provide a source of flexible funding to CDC teams working in the field to meet critical or emergency needs that could not easily be met through usual government channels. Since it was created in 1999 by a group of CDC employees and retirees, the fund has provided resources for essential services and equipment such as bullet-proof vests for health workers vaccinating children in war-torn Somalia, ready-to-eat meals for workers in Sudan, satellite phones, incentives for vaccination campaigns in Mexico and India and training in other countries.