The Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) has channelled almost $100 million in philanthropic donations into sport in the past financial year, setting a new record for contributions.
Despite cost-of-living and other financial pressures biting households around the nation, the $98.8 million funnelled into sport by the ASF represents an increase of over 24% in value from the previous year, through a 38% jump in the number of donations overall.
Donations to individual athletes rose by 66% by the end of the financial year leading into the Paris Olympic Games, while community sport (up 31%) was another key beneficiary, as facilities and infrastructure needs soared, in part to accommodate the number of women and girls migrating into traditionally male-dominated pursuits.
Australian football was the most prolific single sport for donations, generating $29.5 million compared with $20 million in FY2023, while fundraising for the development of new and existing infrastructure and facilities across all sports grew $8.5 million to $39.7 million.
KEY STATISTICS: FUNDRAISING BY SPORT IN FY24 (TOP 20)
The ASF also supported 81 Olympic and Paralympic athletes, including 11 multiple medallists, on their journey to Paris, while contributing significantly to sport at the grassroots level.
Advising that the non-profit organisation’s annual Giving for Sport report for the 2023/24 financial year demonstrates the continuing growth of fundraising in Australian sport while celebrating local and international successes over the past 12 months, ASF Chief Executive, Sue Hunt stated “this extraordinary result confirms the Australian Sports Foundation as the fundraising sports platform of choice for Australians and helps to address significant underfunding issues across the sector.
“The impact of ASF extends from the elite to the community level, through major infrastructure projects that increasingly benefit growing numbers of girls and women, to the delivery of programs and subsidising travel, competition and other costs that are increasing as traditional revenue streams decline.
“That generates a positive ripple effect throughout communities and society generally, by contributing to both physical and mental health and wellbeing, and diverse, engaged and cohesive communities.
“What assists individuals and organisations in turn benefits our society as a whole, and the ASF is proud of the contribution it makes towards improving Australians’ accessibility to sport and physical activity.”
Other major growth areas included support with competition and training costs, equipment, kit and uniforms, travel and scholarships. Other significant campaigns provided bicycles for children in remote communities and resources to support access to psychological services.
Leading into Australia’s exceptional fourth-placed finish on the medal table at the Paris Olympic Games and more outstanding performances at the Paralympics, the donations to athletes’ campaigns soared in both terms of value (45% to $6.9 million) and number (66% to 21,200).
Olympic bronze medallists Caitlin Parker (boxing - almost $19,000) and Natalya Diehm (BMX freestyle - almost $10,000) were among the Olympians to run successful fundraising campaigns through the ASF platform, while para rowing gold medallists Jed Altschwager and Nikki Ayers were among the standout Paralympics performers. Victoria regained its crown as the leading state for sports fundraising, more than doubling the value of its donations to $37.1 million from 1,037 campaigns overall, and pipping NSW with $34.4 million, down by $7.1 million overall.
Third by volume was the ACT, with an increase of $8.4 million to $11 million, 73% of which was attributable to the success of the Black Mountain Rowing Club Red Shed Building Fund in the community club’s quest to deliver ‘Rowing for All’.
Federal Minister for Sport, Anika Wells added “sport unites Australians, and is not just vital to the mental and physical wellbeing of individuals, but also to the general health of our local communities.
“This record fundraising result of almost $100 million to the Australian Sports Foundation’s platform is a testament to the generosity of Australians and our collective desire to invest in sport at every level from grassroots to the elite, including our Olympians and Paralympians in 2024.”
FUNDRAISING BY STATE IN FY24
As Australia’s leading non-profit sports fundraising and charity body, and the only platform where donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible, the ASF has helped to secure almost $800 million for grassroots organisations, schools, professional clubs and individual athletes over the past 38 years.
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well as caring for Stella the pug.
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