Wellington Shire Council, the Shire of Halls Creek, Swan Hill Rural City Council and the City of Port Lincoln have more in common than being part of the Local Government network. All are registered with the Australian Sports Foundation Ltd (ASF).
Along with over 20 other Councils, they have the potential to benefit financially through their registration. Set up by the Australian Government in 1986, the ASF’s mission is to provide ‘a unique tax advantage for sports fundraising’.
The ASF has just celebrated making discretionary grants totalling over $100 million since 1986, including the issue of $9.7 million to 200 projects in 2004/05 alone.
“Councils can play a dual role,” said ASF General Manager, Rod Philpot. “If they are contemplating a facility development, they can seek to register a project with the ASF. In addition, Councils can also obtain brochures from the ASF for distribution to local sporting organisations so that they may also consider the benefits the ASF can provide.”
Any non profit incorporated sporting organisation, Council, club, sporting association, community group or school can apply to register a sport related project with the ASF. Once registered, those groups can then begin a fundraising campaign, encouraging donors to make an ‘unconditional’ donation to the ASF. Donors can nominate a registered sporting project as their preferred beneficiary.
The ASF attends state sport and recreation conferences where possible and welcomes the opportunity to speak with local Councils or sporting groups at these venues. The ASF will be in Perth in September and then Brisbane in November.
Please contact the ASF on (02) 6214 7868 for further information or visit the ASF web site at www.asf.org.au .
