The Australian Sports Foundation has partnered with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) to launch the Aspiring Australian Olympian Funding program. This new initiative allows Australians to directly support Olympic hopefuls through tax-deductible donations.

For many athletes, the path to the Olympic Games is as financially demanding as it is physically and mentally. This program allows people to support individual athletes who are training and competing to represent Australia while managing the real costs of elite sport.

Building on Proven Impact

This partnership follows the success of ASF’s recent work supporting Olympic and Paralympic athletes in the lead-up to Paris 2024. Last year, 51 athletes from the Paris Olympic Team fundraised with ASF, collectively raising more than $844,000. This included five medallists: Arisa Trew, Christopher Burton, Grae Morris, Natalya Diehm and Caitlin Parker.

Nearly 30 Paralympians also used the ASF platform to support their campaigns, raising an additional $290,945. Among them were six medallists, including Jed Altschwager, Brayden Foxley-Conolly, Jamieson Leeson, Daniel Michel, Darren Hicks and Susan Seipel.

With this new national partnership now in place, ASF and AOC aim to amplify the impact of athlete-led fundraising and make it even easier for Australians to support those chasing their Olympic dream.

Backing Athletes When it Counts

AOC CEO Mark Arbib said the initiative arrives at a crucial moment for many athletes and provides a meaningful way for Australians to be part of the Olympic journey.

“While Australians love, watch and follow the Summer and Winter Olympics closely, many will probably be surprised at the enormous costs associated with competing at the elite level, and how little our elite Australian athletes often survive on,” Arbib said. 

“By donating, we want Australians to know they’re potentially making someone else’s Olympic dream a reality. Even a small tax-deductible donation of no more than a handful of gold coins could ultimately deliver the greatest gold of all.” 

Arbib, who recently stepped into the role of AOC CEO, has identified philanthropic support as one of his key focus areas moving forward.

Fuelling the Next Chapter

ASF CEO Sue Hunt said the partnership will help more athletes share their stories, connect with supporters, and raise the funds needed to stay in their sport.

“Too many of our aspiring athletes are forced to choose between their sporting dreams and making ends meet,” Hunt said.

“Through our partnership with the AOC, we are delighted to be creating this new home for aspiring Olympians to showcase their story, making it easier for Australians to support their journey with tax-deductible donations.”

Already, nearly 30 athletes working toward Milano Cortina 2026 have launched fundraising campaigns through our platform.

Looking Ahead

With Milano Cortina now just months away, and Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, this partnership lays the groundwork for long-term philanthropic support of Australia’s Olympic athletes.

At ASF, we’re proud to play a role in ensuring no athlete misses their chance to compete because of financial barriers.

Join us in supporting our aspiring athletes. Your tax-deductible donation can help them reach the Olympic stage.