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Individual Australian Olympic and Paralympic athletes can now raise tax deductible funds to assist their preparation for the Rio Games by registering to fundraise with the Australian Sports Foundation.

The Foundation, which has unique Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, can offer donors a tax deduction for any donation made to an individual athlete’s registered fundraising campaign.

Foundation Chief Executive, Patrick Walker, said it is the first time the Foundation has worked with individual athletes to help them overcome the financial pressures associated with preparing and competing in Rio.

Walker explained “the individual Athlete Fundraising campaign is breaking new ground for the Australian Sports Foundation. No other crowd funding program can offer donors a tax deduction for donations to sport.

“All Australians want our Olympians and Paralympians to perform to their full potential in Rio and we are trying to help them avoid any financial potholes at this critical time in their Games preparation.

“Not all Australian team members receive Government funding, scholarships or sponsorships, and many work part-time or even at multiple jobs to fund their dream, so this is an opportunity to relieve the financial stress associated with international competition and allow them to focus on training and preparing for the Games.”

Walker said athletes can utilise donated funds to offset training and coaching costs, the purchase of equipment, medical fees and transport or even an airline upgrade to ensure they are well rested prior to competition.

He added “our athletes aim to bring home medals and register personal best performances. No one knows better than the athlete themselves where the funding can be best used in the countdown to Rio.”

Any Australian athlete selected for the Rio Olympics or Paralympics can apply to register with the Foundation for Athlete Fundraising and Australian boxer Jason Whatley (pictured above) is one athlete who has already registered to be part of the scheme.

He commented “I train up to four times a day as well as running my own business, Pure Boxing, and I have made great sacrifices along the way to try and win an Olympic gold medal, so it would be great to get some financial support from Australians who are willing to make a tax deductible donation.”

The Foundation raised over $24 million for sport in 2014/15 and is on target to raise over $30 million this financial year.

Monies have been raised for sports organisations and clubs, and schools who have registered fundraising projects with the Foundation.

For more information go to www.asf.org.au

20th April 2016 - SPARTAN SPORTS JOINS FORCES WITH AUSTRALIAN SPORTS FOUNDATION

19th February 2016 - SPORTING LEGENDS BACK ASF GOAL TO EXCEED $300 MILLION IN SPORT FUNDRAISING

9th November 2015 - AUSTRALIAN FITNESS BRAND STING SELECTED FOR 2016 RIO OLYMPICS

20th July 2015 - AUSTRALIANS DONATE A RECORD $24 MILLION TO SPORT AND RECREATION PROJECTS 

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