Set Yourself Up For Success
Trusted by 2,300+ Australian Athletes
Short on funds? You're not alone.
46% of athletes* earn less than $23,000 annually
Many of Australia's elite athletes* struggle financially, with nearly half earning below the poverty line each year. ASF’s platform allows athletes to accept donations easily, helping them fund critical expenses and stay focused on their sport.
66% of athletes* report lack of funding as a major challenge
Securing financial support is a significant obstacle for athletes of all levels, impacting their ability to train and compete. ASF provides a streamlined fundraising platform to help athletes overcome this challenge and access essential resources.
* Elite athletes, data reported in ASF's Running on Empty report.
43% of Brisbane 2032 hopefuls considered leaving their sport
Due to financial pressures, many aspiring Olympians have thought about quitting their sport. With ASF, athletes can connect with supporters who believe in their journey, enabling them to continue pursuing their dreams without the constant financial strain.
- Case Study
Belle raised almost $3,000
Amateur Boxer Belle Spicer
After realising the financial challenge of self-funding her international competitions, 15-year-old Belle Spicer launched a fundraising campaign on the ASF platform to support her travel, training, and competition expenses. With the help of her community, she’s gained essential experience on the international stage.
Belle’s three tips for fundraising success are:
Go beyond close family and friends
Use technology to amplify your reach
Push past the discomfort of asking for support
Helpful Resources
Ready to make your ask? These guides are built for athletes, covering everything from telling your story to keeping connected with your supporters.
Writing your fundraising story
Learn how to create a compelling story that motivates supporters to donate.
Need more help?
Explore all of our fundraising guides or visit our Help Desk for answers to common questions and step-by-step guides on using the ASF platform.
FAQs
Common questions from Fundraisers
Am I eligible to sign up with the ASF?
Organisations are eligible to sign up with the ASF if they:
Are an incorporated* entity,
Have an ABN and bank account, and
Are looking to fundraise to develop sport in Australia.
*Some entity types are not eligible to fundraise with the ASF, including sole traders, Personal/Family Trusts, Funds and Estates.
Individuals* are eligible to sign up with the ASF if they:
Are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and
Are raising funds to participate in their chosen sport.
** The ASF platform is not limited to athletes. It is also open to coaches, officials and support staff.
Signing up with the ASF is free and it takes 5-10 minutes at: https://asf.org.au/sign-up
What can I raise funds for?
The Australian Sports Foundation’s charter, and what we have our tax-deductible status for, is to raise money for the development of sport in Australia.
For a community club, this could include:
Facilities (capital works, maintenance, and hire/lease)
Equipment (purchase and maintenance/repairs)
Coaching (payment of staff or contractors)
Travel (training camps, competitions etc)
Hardship funds (paying rego fees and other costs for players experiencing financial hardship)
Medical costs, player welfare programs
General operational costs (i.e. to “keep the lights on”)
‘Future Fund’ (i.e. to ensure the sustainability of the club into the future)
For an athlete this could include (but is not limited to):
Equipment and uniform (purchase and maintenance/repairs)
Travel (training camps, competitions etc)
Medical costs, physio & conditioning
Coaching
These lists are not intended to be exhaustive.
If you have a project in mind that you’re not sure is eligible, please contact our Support Team.
However, generally, if the intention and outcome of the project is to develop Australian sport in some way, you should be good to go!
Can Athletes Under 18 Fundraise with the ASF?
Yes, athletes under the age of 18 can raise funds with the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF), provided they meet the criteria outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
Parental or Legal Guardian Authorisation and Account Setup Athletes under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign up and create an account on their behalf. The parent or guardian will retain full control of the account, including managing all activities and overseeing fundraising efforts until the athlete turns 18.
Account Management by Guardian The parent or legal guardian will be responsible for all account-related actions until the athlete reaches the age of 18. This includes managing campaigns, reviewing account information, and ensuring compliance with ASF’s Terms and Conditions.
Transition of Ownership at Age 18 Once the athlete turns 18, they will have the option to take full ownership of the account. To initiate this change, the athlete can contact ASF’s Customer Support Team to request the transfer of ownership. During this process, the now-adult athlete can decide if and what level of access their parent or legal guardian should retain moving forward.
Updating Permissions After the transition, the athlete will have the flexibility to adjust the permissions of their parent or guardian within the account, depending on their personal preferences or requirements.
If you have further questions or need assistance with the application process, feel free to contact our Customer Support Team.
How do I promote my campaign?
Our fundraising guides include messaging templates, best practice advice and promotional tips to help you share your campaign with your supporters.
How do I receive the donations I've raised?
The ASF distributes funds raised on a fortnightly basis. This is commonly referred to as a grant payment. The ASF considers donors' preferences before releasing grant monies.
Donations processed 1-15th are remitted on the last day of that month, and
Donations processed 16-30th/31st are remitted on the 15th of the following month.
Note: donations processed on weekends may not be included in a grant round i.e. a donation made on the 13th of the month on a Saturday may miss the processing window.
To be included in a Grant Round, your account must meet all of the required compliance steps.
What does it cost to use the ASF fundraising platform?
Our platform is free to use – there are no setup or account fees involved! As the ASF is a small non-profit, we do retain a small percentage of all donations to cover the operating costs of running a fundraising platform and providing support to every fundraiser. To cover these costs, we retain 5% of donations.
More information about our retention and processing fees can be found in our Terms & Conditions.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Head to our help desk for answers to common questions and comprehensive platform guides, all in one place.
Ready to get started?
Every athlete’s fundraising journey starts somewhere. Create your campaign today and start building the support that gets you to your next competition or tournament.
It only takes a few minutes to get started.