EXHIBIT (17)(A)

(FIRST AMERICAN FUNDS LOGO)

                                                                      PROXY CARD

                      CALIFORNIA INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

   PROXY FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 30, 2008

The undersigned appoints Charles D. Gariboldi, Jr., Kathleen L. Prudhomme,
Jeffery M. Wilson, and Richard J. Ertel, or any one of them, as proxies of the
undersigned, with full power of substitution, to cast all eligible votes held by
the undersigned in the California Intermediate Tax Free Fund series of First
American Investment Funds, Inc. ("FAIF") at a Special Meeting of Shareholders,
to be held in Room A on the 3rd floor at 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55402, on December 30, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., Central Time, and at any
adjournment thereof, with all powers the undersigned would possess if present in
person. All previous proxies given with respect to the meeting are revoked.
Receipt of the Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and the accompanying
Prospectus/Proxy Statement is hereby acknowledged.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS INSTRUCTED ON THE MATTER SET FORTH BELOW. IT IS
UNDERSTOOD THAT IF NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE
PROPOSAL. UPON ALL OTHER MATTERS THE PROXIES SHALL VOTE AS THEY DEEM IN THE BEST
INTERESTS OF CALIFORNIA INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL.

                         NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name appears on this
                         Proxy. When signing in a fiduciary capacity, such as
                         executor, administrator, trustee, attorney, guardian,
                         etc., please so indicate. Corporate and partnership
                         proxies should be signed by an authorized person
                         indicating the person's title.


                         -------------------------------------------------------
                         Signature            (Title if Applicable)     Date


                         -------------------------------------------------------
                         Signature              (if held jointly)       Date

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                        (Triangle) FOLD HERE (Triangle)

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT, NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN. THE MATTERS WE ARE
SUBMITTING FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION ARE SIGNIFICANT TO THE FUND AND TO YOU AS A
FUND SHAREHOLDER. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND CAST YOUR
VOTE BY EXECUTING THIS PROXY CARD AND ENCLOSING IT IN THE POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE
PROVIDED.

     1.   APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION FOR CALIFORNIA
          INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND, PROVIDING FOR REORGANIZATION OF THAT FUND
          INTO THE CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND SERIES OF FAIF, INCLUDING THE
          AMENDMENT TO FAIF'S AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
          NECESSARY TO EFFECT THE REORGANIZATION.

                             FOR   AGAINST   ABSTAIN
                             [ ]     [ ]       [ ]

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