Australia’s passion for sport runs deep, but keeping it going takes more than talent or determination. Across the country, communities are stepping up to raise the funds that keep players on the field, lights on at local clubs, and future athletes chasing their goals. Every state has its own story to tell, shaped by the sports it loves and the challenges it faces along the way.

The Australian Sports Foundation’s FY25 State of Sports Fundraising Report examines the trends and insights shaping how Australians are funding sport. It highlights where fundraising is growing fastest, which communities are finding new ways to support their clubs and athletes, and what these patterns say about the future of sport across the nation.

NSW reclaims the top spot

After falling behind Victoria in FY24, New South Wales returned to the top of the leaderboard, raising $45.7 million for sport in FY25. That’s $11.3 million more than last year, and the state’s strongest result to date.

Much of that growth came from Football (Soccer), Golf, and both Rugby codes. Clubs like Sutherland Sharks FC raised significant funds to build a new clubhouse and female football facility, while the Western Sydney Wanderers Foundation continued to grow through community-backed programs.

Peer-to-peer campaigns also made a noticeable impact, with organisations like NSW Rugby Union encouraging teams across schools and junior competitions to fundraise to support travel and participation costs for the 2025 Australian Schools and Junior Rugby Union Championships.

A close second

Victoria may have lost the top spot by a mere $100,000, but it still recorded one of the biggest jumps in fundraising nationwide. Total funds raised by athletes, clubs and organisations in the state reached $45.6 million, up $8.5 million on FY24. On top of this, Victoria actually hosted the most successful fundraising campaigns, with 1,176 raising more than $1. That’s 16 more than NSW.

As in previous years, AFL dominated fundraising efforts across the country, and with Victoria being the home to the sport, the state benefited greatly. AFL clubs collectively raised $40.5 million, up $11 million year on year. For many elite and community clubs, that support helped complete or launch major facility projects that will double as community hubs for future generations of players. Hawthorn Football Club's Kennedy Centre continued to draw donations from supporters, and on a community level, Alexandra Park Pavilion in Mornington, a joint project between three local clubs, reached completion.

This growth reflects a wider trend across Victoria: more clubs are using fundraising not just for major builds but to manage participation costs, update equipment, and support pathways for women and girls in sport.

ACT resets after a record year

One of the most significant changes in FY25 came from the ACT’s total fundraising value, which fell 47% from FY24 to $5.8 million. However, it’s not as dramatic as it may appear at first glance. The previous year’s total had been heavily inflated by a single major infrastructure campaign, Black Mountain Rowing Club’s Red Shed, which reached completion in FY24. Compared to the FY23 total ($2.6M), the ACT has actually seen 123% growth over two years.  

Putting the decline in total value aside, the number of athletes fundraising grew by 28%, community clubs rose 35%, and the number of sports represented increased by 31% year-on-year. This shows a clear shift toward smaller, community-led campaigns and broader engagement across the territory. In other words, ACT’s fundraising landscape is diversifying and trending in the right direction.

A growing culture of giving

Together, these state results paint a clear picture: fundraising for sport in Australia isn’t just growing, it’s becoming essential. 

From regional football clubs to Olympic hopefuls, thousands of Australians are relying on fundraising to cover travel, equipment, coaching and facility costs. That community effort is what drives sport forward, and it’s reflected in every dollar raised on the Australian Sports Foundation platform.

To explore the full results and see how your state or sport compares, read the FY25 State of Sports Fundraising Report.

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