After the dust settles on the sports funding allocations that occur at Federal and State budget time and the commitments made for developing sporting facilities to promote economic stimulus, it is often grassroots sport that is still left contemplating its future. And that is where the Australian Sports Foundation Ltd (ASF) can assist.
The ASF is a company established by the government in 1986 specifically to support the development of sport in Australia. Its listing as a deductible gift recipient (DGR) in the Tax Act means that donations to the ASF in support of registered sporting projects are tax deductible.
Any non profit incorporated sporting organisation, community group, council, or school can apply to register a sport related project with the ASF. Once registered, organisations have the potential to benefit financially by attracting ‘new’ money. Individual and business donors who contribute to the ASF can nominate a registered project as their preferred beneficiary.
“Councils can play a dual role,” said ASF General Manager Rod Philpot. “If they are contemplating a sports facility development, they can apply to register that as a project with the ASF. Councils can also obtain brochures from the ASF for distribution to local sports organisations so that they can also consider the benefits the ASF can provide.”
The ASF’s mission is to provide ‘a unique tax advantage for sports fundraising’ and this means that the ASF works with organisations to complement other funding streams that they may have, as progress is made to achieve a sporting objective. Donations received by the ASF form the pool of funds from which the ASF issues discretionary grants to registered projects.
In 2009/10, the ASF will celebrate the dual milestones of 25 years of operation and issuing discretionary grants totalling over $150 million since it began, including the issue of $16.7 million in grants to 285 projects in 2007/08 alone.
For more information on how the ASF can assist your council or community sporting clubs with fundraising for sports projects, please refer to the flyer in this edition of Local Government FOCUS, contact the ASF on (02) 6214 7868 or visit the ASF website at www.asf.org.au
*Copy supplied by ASF
