From the General Manager

In the last edition of ASF News, I commented on the diversity of the sports system in Australia. This is evidenced by the huge range of sports available for people to participate in at grassroots and elite levels, and the range, variety and locations of organisations that are formed to create those opportunities.
In October, the Productivity Commission released its draft report into the contribution of the not-for-profit sector to the Australian economy, and the report is now being finalised after the comments on the draft report were received. Associate Commissioner Denis Trewin said ‘Australia has 600 000 not-for-profit organisations which contributed $43 billion to Australia’s GDP in 2007, up from $21 billion in 2000. If you count the contribution of 4.6 million volunteers, with an imputed value of $15 billion, this would make it a similar contribution to the retail industry’. As an adjunct to this, the ATO Compliance Program released for 2009–10 mentioned around 700 000 not-for-profit organisations employing 11 per cent of Australia’s salaried work force.
Within this sector is the body of sporting and community organisations that actively provide opportunities for Australians to participate and excel in sporting activities. Apart from the diversity of opportunities offered by these organisations, sector analysis, including the ‘Managing in a downturn’ report released by PricewaterhouseCoopers, has indicated that the sport and recreation sub-sector held up well in the financial turmoil. This includes the significant contribution made by volunteers in sporting and community organisations. Noting the demographics of the volunteer base, including the impact of an ageing population, sustaining the volunteer capability is a matter that requires further attention.
The ASF is evidence of the relative strength of this sub-sector, with over 550 projects registered Australia-wide and discretionary grants issued in 2008–09 amounting to $16.7 million, a growth of over 20 per cent on 2007–08. Some of the ways in which communities have benefited from ASF grants include projects designed to build new sporting venues, the purchase of equipment to enable novices to learn from qualified coaches, and facilitating access to sport for those with transportation difficulties.
However, outside of the traditional sport structure where national and state sporting organisations facilitate the growth and development of affiliated regional sporting associations and clubs, there is an emerging group of not-for-profit organisations established to support particular sports, or initiatives within particular sports. The ASF is fortunate in being able to work with the entire range of not-for-profit organisations that contribute to sport development. In addition to the structure described above, it includes educational institutions, community groups, government at all levels and the emerging group of purposefully established trusts and foundations.
Examples of this include not-for-profit organisations that have been established to provide sport development opportunities for specific cultural groups within the broader Australian community, and trusts and foundations that have been established by, or in memory of, a person with a strong sporting affiliation, to foster sport development in a particular group of participants, region or sporting genre.
This edition provides an insight into a few of the organisations that are important contributors to sport in Australia, but are not part of the mainstream national sporting organisation, state sporting organisation or club structure. They may exist to provide opportunities for the holistic development of a particular group of individuals, including a focus on the development of sport in their chosen area of support. The ASF specifically works with them on the sport-related elements of their established purpose. Generally they are also active participants in the pursuit of philanthropy to support the work they do.
The ASF also attended the Association of School Business Administrators biannual conference in Canberra in October, and was pleased to be able to individually speak with delegates from schools in every state and territory. Supporting the continuation of school sport at a secondary level in particular, and the translation of participants from school sport to ongoing sporting activity, is vital to the future of sport in Australia.
With the Christmas holiday season upon us, the team at the ASF would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year. We look forward to continuing to work with you in 2010 on your sport development initiatives.

Supporting your affiliates

Organisations that represent the interests of affiliated clubs and associations can support their sporting initiatives by providing copies of the flyer ‘Raising money for sport with the ASF’. By increasing awareness of the ways in which affiliates and the ASF can work together to achieve sporting outcomes, opportunities for successful fundraising campaigns can be enhanced.

Maccabi Australia

The project

Participation in the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel, July 2009

The need

Maccabi Australia Incorporated (MAI), its member states and affiliated clubs exist to promote Jewish identity and continuity, connecting the Jewish community through sport. As the largest Jewish organisation in Australia, Maccabi boasts an 85-year heritage and 9000 members ranging in age from 5 to 85 years. Maccabi is represented in over 60 countries and has 400 000 members worldwide.
Australia has proudly participated at each Maccabiah Games since the inaugural Games were held in Tel Aviv in 1932. As the world’s fourth largest sports meeting and with events in Junior, Open and Masters divisions, the Games present a unique opportunity for the world’s Jewish communities to celebrate their faith and the athletic achievements of their countrymen.
Despite the global financial crisis and sky-rocketing fuel levies, Maccabi Australia sought to raise money from the 120 000-strong Australian Jewish community to send a team to participate in the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel in July 2009.

The goal

To raise more than $2 million from the public in order to send a delegation of 350 athletes, and team management, medical and media officials to the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel in July 2009.

The approach

The ASF is a vital partner in the development of Jewish sport in Australia. The Maccabi Games Travel Fund was a project registered with the ASF under the Sport Incentive Program to allow unconditional donations of $2 or more to the ASF in support of this project to be tax deductible. Grants received from the ASF were then to be applied to team travel costs.
Travel costs were to include:

• sending the team to Israel
• attendance at selection trials
• team manager conferences.
  

The successful strategies

Tax deductible donations were sought via direct approaches to supporters, previous donors, major corporates and trusts. General contributions were sought via Maccabi national and state websites, email newsletters, sale of raffle tickets, holding of movie and trivia nights, and public collections outside Bunnings and Nandos outlets.

The outcome

July was a golden month for Australian Jewish sport. The 400-strong team enjoyed a record medal haul (24 gold, 27 silver, 30 bronze), finishing third overall behind hosts Israel and the United States. This was a phenomenal achievement considering Australia had 120 fewer competitors than the last Games, but won many more medals. Thanks go to the incredible leadership and hard work of the executive team, team management, volunteers and the support of valued sponsors and the fundraising facility provided by the ASF.

In addition to the sport, the Games will be remembered for the:

• inspiring Opening Ceremony at the national stadium in Ramat Gan
• memorial service for Australians killed in the 1997 bridge disaster
• stirring Closing Ceremony at the Latrun Amphitheatre featuring the President of Israel, Shimon Peres.

The Maccabi Games Travel Fund has been renewed until 31 August 2014 enabling fundraising to commence to send an Australian delegation to the 19th Maccabiah Games in Israel in July 2013 and other international Maccabi sporting events.

Location - Maccabi Australia is based in South Melbourne.

Layne Beachley — Aim for the Stars Foundation

The Layne Beachley — Aim for the Stars Foundation was created to inspire girls and women across Australia to dream and achieve. The goal of the foundation is to encourage, motivate and provide financial support for aspiring women and girls who wish to reach the highest pinnacle in their chosen arena. The foundation’s support gives these females the opportunity to maintain a determined focus on their goal, to achieve their dreams earlier in life and allow them to further their ambitions.
Females 12 years of age and above are eligible to apply for assistance from the foundation, and grants are awarded to deserving applicants who best demonstrate aspirations to further their development.
The foundation awards a minimum of $20 000 in grants each year to individuals and groups, comprising:

• $1500 ‘Kickstart’ grant — 12 to 16 years
• $3000 ‘Individual’ grant — 16 years and above
• $6000 ‘Group’ grant — two or more people 12 years and above.

The project

The Layne Beachley — Aim for the Stars Foundation registered a project with the ASF specifically to raise funds for its sporting scholarships. It was hoped that being able to offer tax deductibility for donations would provide an added incentive for individuals and businesses to support this area of its activities. An increase in financial support would ultimately provide additional scholarships for more Australian girls and women.

Promotion and fundraising

The foundation is promoted through its website, promotional booklets sent to schools, community and sporting groups, as well as regular word of mouth promotion by Layne Beachley and the Board.
The Layne Beachley — Aim For The Stars Foundation receives no government funding so relies heavily on fundraising, the support of volunteers and in-kind donations. The foundation has benefited significantly from the ongoing support through the Macquarie Sports program.
The major fundraiser is usually an annual luncheon or dinner. Girls who have received a grant that year are invited to attend to be presented with an award by Layne during the event and are interviewed during the function, where they have the opportunity to share their journey with attendees.
At the annual function, tax deductible donations are requested to support the Sporting Scholarships project. To date almost $60 000 has been received from the ASF as a result of this fundraising.

The outcome

Over the last six years the Layne Beachley — Aim For The Stars Foundation has given $250 000 to girls and women Australia-wide. From over 1230 applications submitted, 146 females (individual and groups) have received financial grants.

Profile of Gabrielle King (19) — grant recipient
Sport: Sailing

Career highlights and biggest achievement:
‘The highlight would have to be winning my first Youth Worlds. It was something I had been focused on doing for three years, so to see it finally happen was literally a dream come true. Then having the opportunity to defend the title, and do so successfully was an amazing experience.’
How will the grant help you and how will you use the funds?
‘The grant will help me finance my upcoming trip to Europe. As I’m moving into Open competition (I am no longer a youth) and am looking at qualifying for the Olympics, I have to go over and compete in international grade events in Europe. Obviously this has considerable costs associated with it, from airfares and accommodation, to freight of the boat and entry fees. The grant will go towards offsetting some of these costs.’

Profile of Nicole Parks (17) — grant recipient
Sport: Mogul skiing

Career highlights and biggest achievement:
‘3rd in Open in Continental Cup Perisher Blue, 4th Europa Cup in Slovenia, 1st in Swiss/Italian Cup in Switzerland.’
What is your dream?
‘To be a competitor in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.’
How will the grant help you?/How will you use the funds?
‘The grant will help me get overseas to train and compete.’

Location  - Layne Beachley — Aim for the Stars Foundation is based in Sydney. 

ASF grant recipients July 2008–June 2009

This is the list of sporting organisations, shires and councils, community groups and schools who shared in the $16.7 million the ASF issued in discretionary grants in the period July 2008 to June 2009. If your organisation is not mentioned here, ask the ASF about how to register your sports project or visit the ASF website (asf.org.au) for more information.
Archery
Hastings Valley Archery Club, NSW
Athletics
Athletics Australia, VIC
Belle Vue Primary School, VIC
Box Hill Athletic Club, VIC
Glenhuntly Athletic Club, VIC
Kembla Joggers, NSW
Mentone Track & Field Centre, VIC
University of Queensland Athletics Club
Australian football
AFL (NSW/ACT) Commission
Box Hill Hawks Football Club, VIC
Brisbane Bears–Fitzroy Football Club, QLD
Carlton Football Club, VIC
Collingwood Football Club, VIC
De La Salle Old Collegians Amateur Football Club, VIC
Geelong Football Club, VIC
Glenelg Football Club, SA
Hawthorn Football Club, VIC
Lake Cargelligo Australian Rules Football Club, NSW
Newtown & Chilwell Football Club, VIC
North Melbourne Football Club, VIC
OSFC Foundation, VIC
Perth Football Club, WA
Port Adelaide Football Club, SA
Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club, SA
Red Hill Football Club, VIC
Richmond Football Club, VIC
St Kilda Saints Football Club, VIC
Sydney Australian Football Foundation, NSW
The Goodwood Saints Football Club, SA
Wantirna South Football Club, VIC
Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation, VIC
Woodville West Torrens Football Club, SA
Basketball
Ballarat Basketball Association, VIC
Salisbury High School, SA
Southern Tigers Basketball Association, SA
Boxing
Boxing New South Wales
Calisthenics
Ceres Calisthenics Club, VIC
Canoeing
Australian Canoeing, NSW
Coomera Watersports Club, QLD
Community groups
Donnica Clarke Foundation, NSW
Geelong Cats Sports Foundation, VIC
Layne Beachley — Aim for the Stars Foundation, NSW
Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust, NSW
The Briars Foundation, NSW
The Wally Foreman Foundation, WA
Cricket
Barossa & Light Cricket Association, SA
Geelong Cricket Club, VIC
Glenelg District Cricket Club, SA
Gordon District Cricket Club, NSW
New South Wales Cricket Association
Queensland Cricket Association
The Hampton Cricket Club, VIC
Croquet
Rockhampton Mallet Sports Club, QLD
Cycling
Henk Vogels Cycling Foundation, WA
On Track for Life Foundation, VIC
Deaf sports
Australian Deaf Sports Federation, VIC
Equestrian
Adelaide Horse Trials Management, SA
Winton Pony Club, QLD
Fishing
Fly Fish Australia, NSW
Flight
Victorian Motorless Flight Group
Football
Johnny Warren Football Foundation of NSW
Sandringham City Junior Soccer Club, VIC
Golf
Commonwealth Golf Club, VIC
Glenelg Golf Club, SA
Golf Australia, VIC
Heidelberg Golf Club, VIC
Huntingdale Golf Club Foundation, VIC
Kingston Heath Golf Club, VIC
Leongatha Golf Club, VIC
NSW Golf Association
Sorrento Golf Club, VIC
The Blackheath Golf Club Foundation, VIC
The Kooyonga Foundation, SA
The Royal Adelaide Golf Club, SA
The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, VIC
The Yarra Yarra Golf Club, VIC
Victorian Golf Foundation
Woodlands Golf Club, VIC
Gymnastics
Gymnastics Victoria
Ingleburn RSL Youth Club, NSW
Warrnambool Springers Gymnastics Club, VIC
Hockey
Adelaide Hockey Club, SA
Altona Hockey Club, VIC
Aquinas College, WA
Eastern Suburbs Hockey Club, QLD
Melville City Hockey Club, WA
Port Adelaide District Hockey Club, SA
St George Randwick Hockey Club, NSW
Toorak East Malvern Hockey Club, VIC
Lacrosse
Lacrosse Victoria
Lawn bowls
The Denmark Bowling Club, WA
Warringah Bowling Club, NSW
West Pymble Bowling Club, NSW
Local government
Dalby Regional Council, QLD
Horsham Rural City Council, VIC
Macedon Ranges Shire Council, VIC
Shire of Coolgardie, WA
South Gippsland Shire Council, VIC
Town of Narrogin, WA
Motor sports
Australian Motor Sport Foundation, VIC
Sporting Car Club of South Australia
National bodies
Australian Olympic Committee, NSW
Maccabi Australia, VIC
The Sport Australia Hall of Fame, VIC
Orienteering
Orienteering Australia, ACT
Regional and state bodies
Central Coast Academy of Sport, NSW
Maccabi NSW
Maccabi Victoria
Maccabi WA
South West Academy of Sport, WA
Victorian Institute of Sport
Rowing
Adelaide Rowing Club, SA
Banks Rowing Club, VIC
Black Mountain Rowing Club, ACT
Buckingham Rowing Club, TAS
Canberra Rowing Club, ACT
Centenary Rowing Club, QLD
Essendon Rowing Club, VIC
F Troop Rowing Club, SA
Glebe Rowing Club, NSW
Hawthorn Rowing Club, VIC
Melbourne Amateur Regatta Association, VIC
Melbourne Argonauts Queer Rowing Club, VIC
Mercantile Rowing Club, VIC
Mosman Rowing Club, NSW
Newington Masters Rowing Club, NSW
North Shore Rowing Club, NSW
Port Adelaide Rowing Club, SA
Powerhouse Rowing Club, VIC
Richmond Rowing Club, VIC
Rowing Queensland
Rowing Victoria
Swan River Rowing Club, WA
Sydney Rowing Club, NSW
Sydney Women's MLC Rowing Club, NSW
The Bobby Pearce Foundation, NSW
Toowong Rowing Club, QLD
Torrens Rowing Club, SA
Wahgunyah Rowing Club, VIC
West Australian Rowing Club
Yarra Yarra Rowing Club, VIC
Rowing — schools
All Halllows School, QLD
Ascham School, NSW
Brighton Grammar School, VIC
Brisbane State High School, QLD
Carey Baptist Grammar School, VIC
Cranbrook School, NSW
Friends of Ruyton, VIC
Loreto Kirribilli Association, NSW
MLC School, NSW
Newington College, NSW
Pembroke School, SA
Presbyterian Ladies College Sydney, NSW
Presbyterian Ladies’ College, VIC
Queenwood Parents Association, NSW
Radford College, ACT
Scotch College Foundation, SA
Scotch College, VIC
Scotch College, WA
St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School Parents and Friends Association, QLD
St Augustine’s College Sydney, NSW
St Catherine's School, VIC
St Ignatius' College Riverview, NSW
St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace, QLD
St Margaret's School Council, QLD
St Virgil's College Hobart, TAS
Stuartholme School, QLD
Tara Anglican School for Girls, NSW
The Hamilton and Alexandra College, VIC
The Korowa Foundation, VIC
The Rockhampton Grammar School, QLD
The Scots College, NSW
The Southport School, QLD
UCA Kinross Wolaroi School, NSW
Unley High School, SA
Walford Foundation, SA
Wesley College Melbourne, VIC
WH Pincott Club, VIC
Xavier College Foundation, VIC
Rugby league
Albion Park Oak Flats Rugby League Club, NSW
Byron Bay Rugby League Club, NSW
Pittsworth and District Junior Rugby League, QLD
Rugby union
Chatswood Junior Rugby Club, NSW
Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team, NSW
Melbourne Rugby Union Football Club, VIC
Mosman Rugby Fund, NSW
Onkaparinga District Rugby Union Football Club, SA
Sunshine Coast and Districts Rugby Union, QLD
Sydney University Football Club Foundation, NSW
Warringah Rugby Foundation, NSW
Sailing
Avalon Sailing Club, VIC
Black Rock Yacht Club, VIC
Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, VIC
Cowes Yacht Club, VIC
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, NSW
Davey's Bay Yacht Club, VIC
Double Bay Sailing Club, NSW
Dunsborough Bay Yacht Club, WA
Flinders Yacht Club, VIC
Fremantle Sailing Club, WA
Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club, NSW
Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation, WA
Metung Yacht Club, VIC
Middle Harbour Yacht Club, NSW
Mokoan Yacht Club, NSW
Port Melbourne Yacht Club, VIC
Royal Brighton Yacht Club, VIC
Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, WA
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron, VIC
Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron
Royal Yacht Club of Victoria
Safety Beach Sailing Club, VIC
Sailors With Disabilities, NSW
Somers Yacht Club, VIC
South of Perth Yacht Club, WA
Squadron Yacht Racing Foundation, NSW
SYC Foundation, VIC
Tamar Yacht Club, TAS
The Australian Open Skiff Trust, NSW
The Sail Training Association of Queensland
Yachting Australia, NSW
Yachting Victoria
Schools
Canberra Grammar School, ACT
Prince Alfred College Foundation, SA
Seventh-Day Adventist Schools (Western Australia)
Solway Primary School, VIC
St Joseph’s Nudgee Junior College, QLD
Sydney Boys High School, NSW
The King's School Foundation, NSW
Wesley College Melbourne, VIC
Westfields Sports High School, NSW
Shooting
Pistol Australia, VIC
Warrnambool Gun Club, VIC
Skating
Skate Australia, QLD
Table tennis
Bairnsdale and District Table Tennis Association, VIC
Yarrawonga Mulwala Table Tennis Association, VIC
Tennis
Ballarat Regional Tennis Centre, VIC
Healesville Tennis Club, VIC
Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, VIC
Macleod Tennis Club, VIC
Sale Tennis Club, VIC
Tennis Queensland
The Royal Melbourne Tennis Club, VIC
Victorian Tennis Association
Water polo
Melville Water Polo Club, WA
Winter sports
Ice Skating Australia, NSW
The NSW Ski Association
Ski and Snowboard Australia, VIC

Schedule of discretionary grant rounds for 2010

The discretionary grant rounds for 2010 will be:

Funds accepted are donations deposited into the ASF bank account and cleared, or credit card donations processed through the ASF terminal by the date specified.
 

Working for sport

The ASF is pleased to be able to work with a broad range of not-for-profit organisations contributing to the development of Australian sport. Here is a snapshot of projects registered with the ASF by not-for-profit organisations established to support particular sports, or initiatives within particular sports.

The Bobby Pearce Foundation

Founded in 2003 and named after Australia’s first Olympic rowing gold medallist — Bobby Pearce, who won gold in the single sculls in 1928 and 1932 — the Bobby Pearce Foundation approaches former rowers of Australian national rowing teams, to assist junior Australian team oarsmen and oarswomen in the early parts of their international careers.
There are three world championships in rowing — the Senior World Championships, the Under-23 World Championships, and the Junior (Under-18) World Championships. The members of the senior team are fully supported by Rowing Australia, the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport, but those selected in the under-23 and junior teams have to pay part of the costs of representation, after a significant Rowing Australia contribution. Most are assisted by their clubs, state associations or institutes, but the Bobby Pearce Foundation works to assist those who have to utilise their own resources.
Each year, all members of former Australian senior teams are approached for ASF donations, and the trustees of the foundation allocate some of the funds raised, including ASF grants, to specific rowers in the under-23 or junior teams. At various times, the foundation has paid the cost of leasing boats for the teams, made a small contribution to all team members, and directed more substantial support to a few team members who are most in need of support.
In this way there is continuity throughout the sport at the national team level — those who have reached the peak of their rowing career assist those who are in the early stages of international representation, and who in due course will make it through to the senior team and contribute to those who are following.

Ice Skating Australia

Ice Skating Australia registered a project with the ASF to provide development scholarships to young athletes who demonstrate a passion to succeed in the sport of figure skating.
In March 2007 tragedy struck the Australian figure skating community when a ferry and a pleasure craft collided on Sydney Harbour. Three people were severely injured and four people lost their lives in the accident, including a promising 14-year-old skater, Morgan Innes, and two international figure skating judges, Simone Moore and Alan Blinn.
The Ice Skating Australia Development Fund was established as a legacy to these passionate people and the scholarships are named in their memory.
The development fund project currently has one principal supporter, the Morgan Innes Foundation, which has generously donated to the ASF. ASF grants have subsequently helped young skaters pursue their dreams, with eight scholarship recipients receiving between $5000 and $10 000 each to enable them to undertake overseas training opportunities.
The difference that the scholarships have made to the skaters is very evident — not just an improvement in their skating ability and results, but a change to the whole person and the way they approach their skating career. Ice Skating Australia is very proud of each of the scholarship athletes for their personal achievements and for the great sportsmanship they demonstrate.
Australian/Victorian Biathlon Association
The International Travel Assistance project registered with the ASF aims to assist with international travel for Australian biathletes and coaches. Being centrally based in Europe allows the athletes to train and compete in international biathlon competitions throughout the European winter in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.
Australia has only one training facility at Mount Hotham. As Australian winters can be somewhat fickle in comparison to what Europe has to offer, and greater opportunities exist abroad to train with other nations and further develop individual skills abroad.
The goal is to field the maximum number of athletes Australia is permitted to enter at international level of World Cup competitions (four males and four females). From this number a greater base of potential athletes who are eligible for selection to the upcoming Winter Olympic Games can be built.
Minimal funding currently exists for these camps and the established ASF project of travel assistance makes such camp attendance a greater possibility.

Donnica Clarke Foundation

The Donnica Clarke Foundation was established in 2007 to provide scholarships for young emerging athletes across all sports from the central coast region of NSW, to assist in their journey to become a successful sportsperson.
The Foundation keeps the memory of this bubbly and multi-talented teenager at the forefront of community minds following her tragic accidental death on April 10th 2007 – aged just 16 years.
Donnica, or 'Nica' as she was affectionately known, was a dual Australian Surf Life Saving beach sprint and beach flags champion and former Central Coast and NSW State representative.
The ASF was found to be an enormous help in the early days as the Patrons of the Foundation Anthony and Kerrie Clarke (Donnica’s parents) strove to register a fundraising project during what was a difficult time.
The ASF assisted by processing the tax deductible donations collected through various fundraising activities.
Donnica had a simple philosophy to life and competition and it was at the tender age of 13 that she said in a local television interview:
 ‘Just keep trying; you'll always get there eventually … It doesn't matter if you are not top of the group you're always out there trying.’
With that in mind the Donnica Clarke Foundation’s aim is to provide assistance to those young athletes who demonstrate the ability, but may not have the financial support to pursue the pathway to becoming a successful athlete in their chosen sport.
The Foundation awards a minimum of $10 000 in total grants annually, to athletes aged between 12 and 25 years. Grants can be used for:

• offsetting travel to sporting events, camps and clinics
• participating in high performance training programs, tournaments and events
• covering gymnasium membership fees
• purchasing performance clothing
• other costs that may be associated with the development of the athlete.

In early 2009, 13 local male and female athletes, ranging in age from 14 to 21 years, were each awarded scholarships of $1500 in sports such as ice hockey, surfing, wildwater kayaking, swimming, athletics, hockey, basketball, volleyball, tennis and water polo.

From this ... to this

Previously featured as a case study in the April 2009 edition of the ASF Newsletter, the De La Salle Old Collegians Amateur Football Club was desperately in need of a new scoreboard. Installed on 31 July, the scoreboard was first used on 1 August 2009 to great effect during a solid victory over Old Essendon Grammarians.Many people need to be thanked for getting the scoreboard project to successful completion. This includes the family of the late former club president John O’Halloran, the East Malvern Community Bank branch of Bendigo Bank, the City of Stonnington, which provided the entire infrastructure works, and the ASF in providing the avenue for tax deductibility of donations.

Managing an ASF project — an overview

Non-profit organisations may register a sport-related project with the Australian Sports Foundation Ltd (ASF) to assist their fundraising efforts. The ASF is listed in the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA) enabling donations of $2 or over to the ASF to be tax deductible. While donations must be made unconditionally to the ASF, donors may nominate a registered project as a preferred beneficiary of their donation.
Tax deductibility can be an additional incentive for attracting donations. Projects can use their ASF registered project as their sole avenue of fundraising or use it to complement other fundraising strategies.
Following registration of a project:

• the ASF provides a template of an approved donation form for use by the project organisation
• if it chooses to do so, the project organisation develops approved ASF promotional material that may incorporate the donation form. Approval by the ASF of all material promoting tax deductibility is an ongoing requirement during the life of the project
• the project organisation approaches potential donors for contributions
• all donors must complete an ASF approved donation form and all donations are made payable to the ASF
• cheque and cash donations are banked into the ASF bank account by the project organisation (a banking kit is supplied by the ASF)
• credit card donations must be sent to the ASF for processing through the ASF credit card terminal (a 2 per cent administration charge is applicable to all credit card donations)
• signed and completed donation forms are sent to the ASF by the project organisation
• providing all ASF requirements have been met, the ASF will issue receipts for donations. These are sent to the project organisation for distribution to donors with a suggested thank you letter
• the project may be considered for discretionary ASF grants every two (2) months which, subject to approval, are transferred by EFT to the project organisation’s nominated bank account
• the project organisation is requested to acquit ASF grants every six (6) months. This involves the completion of a grant expenditure report (GER) and the provision of evidence of approved expenditure or retention of funds, in accordance with the relevant project grant agreement.

There is a series of ASF fact sheets to further explain ASF processes and requirements. These are available on the ASF website.
Other key publications which the project organisation should hold include:

• Grant agreement between the ASF and the project organisation
• Sport Incentive Program Guidelines
• Processing ASF Donations brochure
• ASF bank deposit booklet/slips
• ASF Project Summary Deposit Sheet.

Please contact the ASF if, as the project contact, you cannot find any of these items or if you have any questions regarding the conduct of your project.

Frequently asked questions

Q: For every dollar we raise in support of our project, does the ASF match it and double the grant we receive?
A: No. When it comes to giving consideration to issuing discretionary grants, philanthropy is the only source of funds for the ASF. Organisations that secure donations to the ASF in support of their project are actively contributing to the pool of funds from which discretionary grants can be issued. The preferences of donors may be taken into account by the ASF when determining grants to be paid.

Q: We are an emerging sport but have not yet been recognised nationally. Can we apply to register a project with the ASF?
A: It would be beneficial to seek the advice of the Australian Sports Commission in the first instance regarding the nature of your activity and its ‘fit’ within the definition of sport. The ASF can only register sport-related projects, based on the definition of ‘sport’ contained in tax law. Tax law defers to the definition used by the Australian Sports Commission as the basis for its considerations. 

Q: A group of us are keen to set up a foundation in the form of a trust and fundraise to benefit a sporting club in our area. Where do we start?
A: As a starting point, determine if the simplest way forward is to set up a committee of the club for the chosen purpose. With a set of agreed rules and principles, this could be referred to as a ‘foundation’ to work within the club to raise funds. In this case, the club could register the project with the ASF. If a more formal structure external to the club is sought, obtain legal advice on the development of a deed of trust to establish the purpose and nature of the foundation. It may also be useful to investigate the formation of a not-for-profit trustee company to administer the trust if there are plans to work with other agencies as part of the fundraising strategy. This would be the preferred option you inend to register the ‘foundation’ as a project with the ASF, as it would be the trustee company that is the registering entity. 

New project approvals

The ASF welcomes the following new projects that have been approved in the period 1 February 2009 to 31 October 2009.

Australia Day Regatta, NSW — Sport development
Australian Deaf Sports Federation, VIC — Sport development
Australian Commonwealth Games Association (WA Division) — Team travel
Australian Cycling Federation, NSW — Team travel
Australian Women’s Rugby League, NSW — Sport development
Barwon Rowing Club, VIC — Equipment
Brighton Grammar School Foundation, VIC — Equipment
Camberwell Hockey Club, VIC — Facility development
Davey’s Bay Yacht Club, VIC — Facility development
Dutton Park Rowing and Supporters Club, QLD — Equipment
Geelong Hockey Association, VIC — Sport development
Hamilton Lawn Tennis Club, VIC — Facility development
Heidelberg Volleyball Club, VIC — Sport development
Henley Football Club, SA — Facility development
Hockey Australia, VIC — Team travel
Hunters Hill Sailing Club, NSW — Equipment
Huntingfield Pony and Riding Club, TAS — Facility development
Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation of NSW — Sport development
Keysborough Golf Club, VIC — Facility development
Lake Keepit Soaring Club, NSW — Equipment
Lodden Shire Council, VIC — Facility development
Long Island Country Club, VIC — Facility development
Loreto Mandeville Hall Association, VIC — Equipment
Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club, VIC — Facility development
Melbourne University Rugby Football Club, VIC — Sport development
Men’s Outreach Service, WA — Sport development
Mt Lofty Golf Club, SA — Sport development
Myponga Memorial Community Centre, SA — Facility development
Natimuk Bowling Club, VIC — Facility development
Netball Victoria — Sport development
Nillumbik Shire Council, VIC — Facility development
North Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club, WA — Sport development
North Ringwood Football Club, VIC — Facility development
North Sydney Leagues Baseball Club, NSW — Facility development
NSW Fencing Association — Sport development
Pines Football Club, VIC — Facility development
Presbyterian Ladies College, WA — Equipment
Queenwood School for Girls, NSW — Equipment
Red Hill Football Club, VIC — Facility development
Renmark Paringa Council, SA — Facility development
Sandringham Football Club, VIC — Facility development
Secret Harbour Pirates District Tee Ball Association, WA — Equipment
Shire of West Arthur, WA — Facility development
Sorrento Golf Club, VIC — Equipment
South West Phoenix Football Club, WA — Equipment
Table Tennis NSW — Equipment
The Fort Street Foundation, NSW — Equipment
The Nedlands Rugby Union Football Club, WA — Facility development
The Southport School, QLD — Equipment
Varsity Lakes Community, QLD — Facility development
Victorian Commonwealth Games Association — Team travel
West Australian Rowing Club, WA — Sport development
Women’s Golf NSW — Major event

The ASF Board

Chair – Greg Hartung
Alisa Camplin
Sally Carbon

The ASF team

Robyn Fisher — Project Officer
Kim Horne — Project Officer
Leanne Read — Manager, Business Operations
Rod Philpot — General Manager
Jaime Firman — Project Officer
Daniel Callan — Finance Officer
Kurt Mulcahy — Athlete Support
Dale Bertram — Project Officer

Did you know?

The Australian Sports Foundation was first established in 1986

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