ASF Newsletter - October 2007
From the General Manager
An important philosophy of the ASF is a commitment to continuous improvement. While the ASF has existed since 1986 as a company dedicated to supporting the development of sport, the team is ever conscious of the need to ensure our product and services are relevant to the current and future objectives of sporting and community organisations. This involves regularly testing our level of service and processes to make sure that they are not overly complex and therefore workable at a project level, while affording the ASF and its project partners the security of sound governance and accountability.
The survey referred to below was forwarded to a randomly selected representation of clients as part of this testing process. I look forward to analysing the outcomes of the questionnaire and your feedback. These results will provide the opportunity to make further enhancements to the operation of the Sport Incentive Program. I encourage you to keep providing the ASF with feedback so that we can continue with refining and enhancing the service and processes.
The project base of the ASF continues to grow and is now at the 500 mark. Some interesting trends are noticeable. Firstly, there has been a significant increase in the number of school and college projects registered with the ASF. Traditionally this group has worked with the ASF to fundraise for equipment predominantly for rowing projects; this is certainly continuing. Now, however, more schools and colleges are incorporating sport development initiatives and facility developments in their suite of registered projects. Some of the facility work is aimed at sustaining a safe sporting environment in times of water shortage, while others involve the development of new fields and indoor arenas in conjunction with community sport.
The second trend has been an increase in the number of sport development projects aimed at:
• providing opportunities for the development of elite athletes
• increasing participation in a sport
• preserving the history of a sport or a club.
Pleasingly, a number of these initiatives involve programs and pathways for the development of junior and emerging athletes.
The third trend has been an increase in projects supporting facility developments on a major scale. A number of these developments will lead to the establishment of multi-sport venues and will involve a very workable mix of funding from local, state and federal governments together with private funding including sponsorship, loans, contributions from the entity itself and fundraising. Examples of developments include a new community sporting centre for Kambalda in Western Australia, the upgrade of the Adelaide Oval and the redevelopment of the Whitten Oval in Melbourne.
I firmly believe the ASF and its Sport Incentive Program are a valuable service for community and sporting organisations seeking to find ‘new’ money for the development of sport. The six project categories offered by the ASF are well utilised, and over $125 million has been issued in the form of grants to registered projects since 1986 as a direct result of the fundraising efforts of registered projects and the generosity of philanthropists. A total of $10.61 million was issued in 2006–07 alone. Let’s keep up this momentum in the interests of sport development.
Rod Philpot
General Manager
Australian Sports Foundation
Stakeholder survey, September 2007
Thank you to those who completed, on behalf of their project organisation, the voluntary survey distributed early in September. One-quarter of the projects registered with the ASF were randomly selected to participate, ensuring that all project and organisation types, and states and territories were represented.
The survey related to the work and processes of the ASF, and covered topics including product recognition and awareness, information and resources available to projects, and processes associated with working with the ASF. The intent of the survey was to provide the ASF with insights as to how better serve the needs of clients and improve the operation of the Sport Incentive Program.
Once results have been collated and analysed, a summary will be presented in the next newsletter (due for publication in March 2008). Of course, for those of you who were not randomly selected to participate, your comments on the services provided by the ASF are most welcome. Please refer to the contact details on the back of this newsletter.
Case study - Woden Valley Soccer Club
The project
To build a clubhouse to provide storage, meeting, training and medical facilities
The need
Woden Valley Soccer Club is a junior soccer club that has grown consistently over the years. The club, located in Canberra, operated from hired government facilities that were inadequate in a number of ways. The storage of equipment was remote from the playing fields and there was no large club meeting room or office. All club meetings required hired facilities. There was limited access to these facilities in summer because other sports used them. The club felt the need to consolidate a number of its functions, including storage and the canteen, into one site and provide a meeting venue that was its own.
The goal
In addition to secure storage and new and improved canteen facilities, the major focus of the project was to provide a large clubroom that could be used for a variety of purposes. On match days or training nights the room was to be inviting to players and supporters, filled with club information and support. It was intended to act as the hub for all club activities, including functions and events. An office area was to be incorporated within the clubhouse.
The approach
A subcommittee drove the process from the feasibility study through to design and construction. The club’s committee and membership were fully involved in the project’s progress through regular updates via newsletters. They were also involved in a number of fundraising occasions. However, it was a core group who kept the project alive.
The challenge
The challenge was to produce an attractive building that was central to the playing areas and therefore very accessible, while at the same time ensuring that it remained secure when closed. From a financial point of view, the club was faced with what seemed like an ever-increasing cost, eventually nearing $500 000. Maintaining momentum was at times difficult as the club picked its way through the various planning stages and hurdles.
The successful strategies
The club engaged a number of strategies to achieve its building and financial goals. At the project’s very inception, seeking advice from the ACT Government’s sport and recreation department was crucial. The example projects and strategies the department provided to the club was valuable for committee members who had not been involved in such a venture before.
The largest single success was the club’s decision to pursue an ACT Government Capital Projects grant that resulted in a dollar-for-dollar $100 000 grant. In addition, the ASF was appealing for those wanting to donate in support of the project. Other fundraising activities concentrated on large one-off events rather than a constant stream of smaller fundraising efforts. The club also consciously traded profitably, with a margin built into registrations to ensure it was not the same few people dipping into their pockets.
In hindsight, the club should have been much stronger in pursuing more commercial sponsorship (non-ASF) for the clubhouse. A recent function proved that there was support in the business community but it had to be targeted rather than through general requests for help.
Location
Woden Valley Soccer Club is located in Mawson, a southern suburb of Canberra.
Case study - Sporting Car Club of South Australia
The project
To create and install a timing system for Collingrove Hillclimb, owned and operated by the Sporting Car Club of South Australia since 1952. Collingrove is unique in that it is a dedicated hillclimb-only venue.
The need
Hillclimbing has always been a popular and affordable form of motor sport and in many ways is one of the purest interpretations of getting from Point A to Point B in the shortest possible time. Renewed interest in hillclimbing in South Australia has meant ever-increasing entrant lists for events held at Collingrove. This inevitably reduced the number of runs each competitor could expect. The Sporting Car Club of South Australia needed a way of increasing the number of runs each entrant could make up the hill at any given event. The existing DOS-based system only allowed one car on the track at any one time. As with most motor sport events, entrant satisfaction is dependent on maximum track time (or in the case of hillclimbs, maximum number of runs up the hill).
The goal
The primary objectives of installing a new system were to allow two cars to be on the track at the same time without compromising safety, and to provide fail-safe and automatic identification of each car as it starts its run. Such a set-up would permit a considerable increase in the total number of runs possible in a day, and allow each competitor more starts.
The approach
The issue of competitor safety is of prime importance. With two cars on the track simultaneously, it is critical to ensure there is no chance of collision. This issue has been addressed by using computer-controlled traffic lights. This way, a car cannot proceed until the car immediately preceding has passed the safety point. Identification of each car at various timing points has been achieved using radio frequency identification.
The challenges
There were a number of challenges to overcome. The most immediate was to ensure that all timing control boxes were able to maintain wireless communication on a hill with no direct line of sight. Another was to develop a results software solution to process ‘time of day’ records, and provide elapsed times for splits and completed runs (usually in the range of 30 to 60 seconds). With safety as an immutable requirement, the system has manual over-rides that immediately set all lights to red and require officials to observe and intervene in the event of power failure or computer malfunction. The sensitivity of the radio frequency identification is a key element and requires competitor cars to be parked at a sufficient distance from detection points.
An essential element of the equipment is its foolproof design; in other words, that it be impossible to incorrectly set up or connect. In addition, a pool of volunteers will need to be trained to run and maintain the equipment and system. Such a new system, not being available ‘off the shelf’, will require a program of evolving development.
The successful strategies
The system has been successfully implemented and tested, and will undergo a ‘baptism of fire’ at the South Australian Hillclimb Championship. This will test the integration of technology that relies on six processors, which in turn depend on wireless communication.
The opportunity to be able to register the project with the ASF has been a significant advantage to fundraising. With the project costing in excess of $30 000, the majority of funds have already been raised. A deliberate and well-focused fundraising campaign was conducted. The results achieved so far could not have been achieved without the strong support of the ASF. The two critical components of this were the tax deductibility of donations and the help, support and guidance of the staff of the ASF.
Location
The Collingrove Hillclimb track is located in the Barossa Valley, approximately 75 kilometres northeast of Adelaide.
ASF grant recipients July 2006–June 2007
This is the list of sporting organisations, shires and councils, community groups and schools that shared in the $10.61 million the ASF issued in discretionary grants in the 2006–07 financial year. If your organisation is not mentioned here, ask the ASF about how to register your sports project or visit the ASF website at asf.org.au for more information. We may have some proven innovative ideas and strategies to complement your fundraising for those vital sports projects.
Athletics
Box Hill Athletic Club, VIC
Glenhuntly Athletic Club, VIC
Australian football
AFL (NSW/ACT) Commission, NSW
Australian Football League, VIC
Brisbane Lions Football Club, QLD
Carlton Football Club, VIC
Collingwood Football Club, VIC
Geelong Football Club, VIC
Glenelg Football Club, SA
Hawthorn Football Club, VIC
OSFC Foundation, VIC
Perth Football Club, WA
Port Adelaide Football Club, SA
Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club, SA
Power House Amateur Football Club, VIC
Red and Blue Foundation, VIC
Richmond Football Club, VIC
South Barwon Football and Netball Club, VIC
St Joseph’s Football Club Geelong, VIC
Sydney Australian Football Foundation, NSW
Warrack Eagles Football and Netball Club, VIC
Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation, VIC
Woodville West Torrens Football Club, SA
Baseball
Sandringham Baseball Club, VIC
Basketball
Gateway Family Church, VIC
Midnight Basketball Australia, NSW
Portland Basketball Association, VIC
Boccia
Boccia Victoria
Boxing
Boxing New South Wales
Calisthenics
Ceres Calisthenics Club, VIC
Canoeing
Australian Canoeing, NSW
Community groups
Advance Camperdown, VIC
Coomera Watersports Club, QLD
Geelong Cats Sports Foundation, VIC
Good Life Community Baptist Church, QLD
Harrow and District Recreation Reserve Committee, VIC
Kew Heights Sports Club, VIC
Layne Beachley — Aim for the Stars Foundation, NSW
The Rotary Club of Brighton, VIC
Cricket
Geelong Cricket Club, VIC
Glenelg District Cricket Club, SA
Gordon District Cricket Club, NSW
Greenvale Cricket Club, VIC
NSW Cricket Association
Upper North Junior Cricket Council, SA
Croquet
Mosman Croquet Club, NSW
Cycling
Henk Vogels Cycling Foundation, WA
On Track for Life Foundation, VIC
The Inside Line, SA
Flight
Victorian Motorless Flight Group
Football
Johnny Warren Football Foundation of New South Wales
Sandringham City Junior Soccer Club, VIC
Woden Valley Soccer Club, ACT
Golf
Commonwealth Golf Club, VIC
Frankston Golf Club, VIC
Glenelg Golf Club, SA
Golf Australia, VIC
Huntingdale Golf Club Foundation, VIC
Leongatha Golf Club, VIC
Royal Melbourne Golf Club, VIC
Spring Valley Golf Club, VIC
Stuart Appleby Junior Golf (Victoria)
The Grange Golf Club, SA
The Kooyonga Foundation, SA
The Royal Adelaide Golf Club, SA
The Yarra Yarra Golf Club, VIC
Victorian Golf Foundation
Woodlands Golf Club, VIC
Hockey
Altona Hockey Club, VIC
Arncliffe Scots–St George District Hockey Club, NSW
Hockey Queensland
Hockey Tasmania
Melville City Hockey Club, WA
Port Adelaide District Hockey Club, SA
Shentons Club, WA
Toorak East Malvern Hockey Club, VIC
Lacrosse
Victorian Lacrosse Association
Lawn bowls
Crookwell Services Club, NSW
Warringah Bowling Club, NSW
West Pymble Bowling Club, NSW
Local government
City of Port Lincoln, SA
Horsham Rural City Council, VIC
Macedon Ranges Shire Council, VIC
Maribyrnong City Council, VIC
Shire of Merredin, WA
South Gippsland Shire Council, VIC
Southern Grampians Shire Council, VIC
Town of Narrogin, WA
Wellington Shire Council, VIC
Motor sport
Australian Motor Sport Foundation, VIC
Sporting Car Club of South Australia
National bodies
Australian Olympic Committee, NSW
Australian University Sport, QLD
Maccabi Australia, NSW
Orienteering
Orienteering Australia, ACT
Parachuting
Australian Parachute Federation, ACT
Regional bodies
Bendigo Bank Academy of Sport, VIC
Rowing
Adelaide University Boat Club, SA
Balmain Rowing Club, NSW
Banks Rowing Club, VIC
Buckingham Rowing Club (Tas)
Canberra Rowing Club, ACT
Capital Lakes Rowing Club, ACT
Glebe Rowing Club, NSW
Hawthorn Rowing Club, VIC
Iluka Rowing and Aquatic Club, NSW
Mackay Rowing Club, QLD
Melbourne Argonauts Queer Rowing Club, VIC
Mercantile Rowing Club, VIC
Mosman Rowing Club, NSW
Newcastle Rowing Club, NSW
North Esk Rowing Club, TAS
North Shore Rowing Club, NSW
Port Adelaide Rowing Club, SA
Powerhouse Rowing Club, VIC
Richmond Rowing Club, VIC
South Australian Rowing Association
Swan River Rowing Club, WA
Sydney Rowing Club, NSW
Sydney Women’s MLC Rowing Club, NSW
Torrens Rowing Club, SA
Rowing — schools
Brisbane Boys’ College, QLD
Brisbane State High School, QLD
Canberra Girls’ Grammar School Rowing Club, ACT
Canberra Grammar School, ACT
Christian Brothers College, SA
Loreto Kirribilli Association, NSW
Loreto Mandeville Hall Association, VIC
Newington College, NSW
North Sydney Girls’ High School Parents and Citizens Association, NSW
Pembroke School, SA
Presbyterian Ladies’ College, VIC
Prince Alfred College Foundation, SA
Queenwood Parents Association, NSW
Scotch College, WA
Scotch College Foundation, SA
St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School Parents and Friends Association, QLD
St Catherine’s School, VIC
St Ignatius’ College Riverview, NSW
St Joseph’s College, NSW
St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace, QLD
Stuartholme School, QLD
Tara Anglican School for Girls, NSW
The Rockhampton Grammar School, QLD
UCA–Kinross Wolaroi School, NSW
Unley High School, SA
Wesley College Melbourne, VIC
WH Pincott Club, VIC
Xavier College Foundation, VIC
Rugby union
Eastwood District Rugby Union Football Club, NSW
Gold Coast International Rugby Academy, QLD
Harlequin Club, VIC
Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team, NSW
Melbourne Rugby Union Football Club, VIC
Old Ignations’ Sports Association, NSW
Parramatta District Rugby Union Football Club, NSW
Queensland Rugby Union
St Joseph’s Nudgee College, QLD
Sydney University Football Club Foundation, NSW
Universities Rugby Football Club (ACT)
Victorian Rugby Union
Warringah Rugby Foundation, NSW
Woollahra Colleagues Rugby Union Football Club, NSW
Rugby league
Albion Park Oak Flats Rugby League Club, NSW
Sailing
Black Rock Yacht Club, VIC
Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, VIC
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, NSW
Davey’s Bay Yacht Club, VIC
Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation, WA
Metung Yacht Club, VIC
Middle Harbour Yacht Club, NSW
Perth Flying Squadron Yacht Club, WA
Port Melbourne Yacht Club, VIC
Royal Brighton Yacht Club, VIC
Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, WA
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron, VIC
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, NSW
Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, NSW
Royal Yacht Club of Victoria
Somers Yacht Club, VIC
Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club, VIC
South of Perth Yacht Club, WA
Squadron Yacht Racing Foundation, NSW
SYC Foundation, VIC
The Australian Open Skiff Trust, NSW
Warren Jones Foundation, WA
Yachting Australia, NSW
Schools — general projects
Canberra Grammar School, ACT
North Sydney Girls’ High School Parents and Citizens Association, NSW
St Joseph’s Nudgee College, QLD
St Joseph’s Nudgee Junior College, QLD
Sydney Boys High School, NSW
The King David School, VIC
Wesley College Melbourne, VIC
Westfields Sports High School, NSW
Shooting
Pistol Australia, ACT
Sporting Shooters Association of Australia, VIC
State bodies
Australian Commonwealth Games Association, WA
Maccabi NSW
Maccabi Victoria
NSW Institute of Sport
Surf lifesaving
Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club, VIC
Swimming
Swimming Australia Foundation, ACT
Table tennis
Bellarine Table Tennis Club, VIC
Tennis
Kooyong Foundation, VIC
Old Bar Tennis Club, NSW
Somers Tennis Club, VIC
Tennis Australia, VIC
Tenpin bowling
Blind Sports Victoria
Touch football
Touch Football Australia, ACT
Water polo
Melville Water Polo Club, WA
Winter sports
Australian Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association, VIC
Ski and Snowboard Australia, VIC
The New South Wales Ski Association
Schedule of grant rounds remaining for 2007–08
Grant rounds have been conducted in July and September 2007. The four remaining grant rounds this financial year will be:
| November 2007 | Includes funds accepted by 31 October 2007 |
| January 2008 | Includes funds accepted by 31 December 2007 |
| March 2008 | Includes funds accepted by 29 February 2008 |
| May 2008 | Includes funds accepted by 30 April 2008 |
‘Funds accepted’ are donations deposited into the ASF bank account and cleared, or credit card donations processed through the ASF terminal by the date specified.
The mystery continues!
A tip in the last edition of ASF News drew attention to the mystery of the ‘unidentified donation’! Each year there are a number of unidentified donations deposited into the ASF bank account, no doubt in support of projects registered with the ASF. However, the information needed by the ASF to identify the donations fails to arrive.
As mentioned last edition, the ASF is not able to identify the project or donor without the rest of the documentation. This means that a receipt cannot be issued and the funds cannot be made available for granting. Surprisingly, there are several instances of this dating back over 12 months.
The good news is that several donors were identified in recent weeks, however there are still several deposited amounts that fit into the ‘mystery’ category.
If you think that you have deposited donations into the ASF’s bank account but have not received receipts after a reasonable time, or if donors have indicated that they have not yet received a receipt, please contact the ASF by calling (02) 6214 7868, emailing info@asf.org.au or faxing (02) 6214 7865. Faxed copies of information previously sent can solve the mystery and result in receipts for the donors, and the potential to release further grant funds.
Around the colleges and schools
The ASF is pleased to support fundraising initiatives being undertaken by colleges, schools and their associated organisations. Here is a snapshot of projects registered with the ASF which are assisting with the provision of sporting equipment sporting facilities in schools.
Canberra Grammar School, ACT
The ASF can accept donations from supporters of a specific sporting activity at an educational establishment. Over the last three financial years, Canberra Grammar School has received over $20 000 in ASF grants, and these funds have been used to assist with the purchase of rowing equipment required by the boys. Supporters are able to make donations to the ASF for any amount, while enabling anonymity of the donor and the purchase of sporting equipment. In the recent past, a large portion of a new ‘eight’ and a new outboard motor were purchased by Canberra Grammar School. While the ASF is only one avenue used by the parent community to generate funds for rowing equipment, the Canberra Grammar School Rowing Association actively encourages awareness of this opportunity (while not being prescriptive). The ASF facility is inexpensive to administer and a worthwhile avenue for fundraising.
The Friends’ School, Tasmania
The Friends’ School has had a long and meritorious involvement with rowing throughout its 120-year history. In the past decade, Friends’ School rowing has significantly increased its number of rowers from 50 to 130. The school boat sheds were old and incapable of catering for the needs of participants.
In 2005 the Friends’ School decided to embark on a program to redevelop the facilities. A very active volunteer group, supported by the school, commenced the extension and refurbishment of the sheds, located on the Derwent River. The project was well supported by a fundraising drive called Pillars of the Boat Club, which received valuable support and assistance through the ASF. Registering the project with the ASF enabled the fundraising committee to approach donors for contributions, using the incentive of tax deductibility.
The project could not have proceeded without the support of the ASF. Now after three years of hard work, and the support of the Friends’ School Board, the sheds are complete and ready for the new season.
The Friends’ School also had an Equipment Acquisition Appeal registered with the ASF from 2002 to 2005, which enabled the purchase of new boats to cater for the ever-increasing number of rowers. This provision of quality equipment has assisted students of the Friends’ School to follow their ambitions beyond school rowing into clubs, universities and even representing Australia.
St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School Parents and Friends Association, Queensland
St Aidan’s is a relatively small girls’ school located in an inner-western suburb of Brisbane. Its rowing club has grown over the last 15 years to become one of the most successful and heavily supported sports in the school.
Rowing is not a low-cost sport. A new racing IV or quad costs in the order of $20 000! An ASF equipment project in conjunction with the school’s Parents and Friends Association was established in the second half of 2005, aimed at assisting the club in providing the St Aidan’s rowers (the STARS) with top-quality equipment. The association found that the tax deductibility aspect of the ASF donation process encouraged donations from a wider range of families and friends of the club.
So far, the project has received over $15 000 in ASF grants. This has contributed to the purchase of two new racing boats for the club. Looking ahead, the association is planning to purchase some new, single training sculls.
Solway Primary School, Victoria
Solway Primary School sought funding support, including ASF fundraising, to improve the standard of the school grounds and sporting facilities to ensure student safety and encourage sports initiatives. The project’s scope was to provide a running track, with fitness stations, around the school oval catering for athletics and cross-country training, and to resurface the school oval in a safe, all-weather playing surface (synthetic grass) so it could be used year round for sports training and development. This would also include the installation of a long-jump pit and refurbishment of the cricket nets.
With great anticipation, the school community watched the oval works taking shape, and students were excited to finally be allowed on the new oval. Works on the running track are continuing.
The school expects that the project will contribute to the health and wellbeing of its students, and will facilitate sport development in its students and the wider school community.
Wesley College, Victoria
The Wesley College Boat Club has turned to sculling as the basis of its rowing program and has ordered 30 new rowing sculls, known as ‘scuds’.
This significant move is supported by the success experienced by a number of prominent Associated Public School and Greater Public School rowing schools in both Melbourne and Sydney who run similar programs.
Such a program requires significant financial backing, which was achieved in the main by an extremely successful fundraising program run by the parent support group of the Wesley College Boat Club. The fund set up by Wesley College with the ASF played a significant role in the extraordinary results of the drive for donations, with in excess of $70 000 raised in one evening. The tax deductible benefits of the ASF provided the impetus for parents to donate in support of a cause that benefits their children.
The boats are now on the water and the students are making great progress!
WH Pincott Club, Victoria
The WH Pincott Club is Geelong Grammar School’s old scholar and parent support group for the rowing program (approximately 1600 members). An equipment fund was registered with the ASF to help the school update its fleet of boats and to bring it into the twenty-first century. The WH Pincott Club has been able to rally for donations from old scholars and parents, which was facilitated by the tax deductibility incentive provided by the ASF.
The ASF initiative has enabled Geelong Grammar School to purchase three racing eights, one racing four, four double sculls and eight single sculls. The fund has allowed students to fulfil their rowing potential and compete on an even footing with the Melbourne rowing schools at the Head of the River and the Sydney rowing schools at the National Rowing Championships.
Geelong Grammar School has had direct success as a result of this program, and is currently experiencing a real growth in the sport. A recent Head of the River win in the girls first eight and a strong second placing in the boys first eight are proof of the strength of Geelong Grammar School rowing and its supporter base, led by the WH Pincott Club.
Fundraising tips
What is fundraising?
Fundraising could simply be described as representing any effort to source funds for a particular purpose, in addition to the income generated through the normal activities of an organisation. It may include government grants, funding from state and national sporting bodies, loans, sponsorship, special events or activities designed to generate funds and philanthropic encouragement such as a bequests program or seeking donations.
The suggestions that follow relate to seeking donations.
Have a vision or a purpose
Clearly define what your purpose is. Develop a fundraising plan. What are to be the sources of funding? How much money do you want to raise via donations, and over what period? What kinds of donors would you like to attract: club supporters, individuals, big or small business, philanthropic trusts or foundations?
Register with the ASF
Recognise the significance of tax deductibility as an incentive to attract donations in support of your project. Understand how the donation process through the ASF works so you can explain it to donors. Understand the difference between a donor and a sponsor.
Plan your strategy
Work out how you will drum up community and business support for your project. Determine where your donors are, how you will approach them and what you will ask for. For example, you could propose to local businesses that they donate a specified sum over a set number of years. You will also need to plan publicity for the project and your fundraising efforts. Any promotional material referring to tax deductibility or the ASF will need to be cleared by the ASF before use.
Test the water
Approach a couple of potential major donors or your club membership to see if they are interested in supporting your project.
Organise a fundraising team
To keep fundraising momentum going, particularly over a longer period, you will need a team of dedicated and enthusiastic people who are all across the project and working together for the same purpose. Make sure you all understand the objective and can confidently articulate the same message to prospective donors.
Do not be afraid to ask
It takes courage to ask for what you need but once you realise there is support for your project, you will build up confidence in no time. And the results may surprise you. Donations represent ‘new’ money in support of your project.
Develop relationships
The media, small business, community groups and your own supporters can all help to promote your project and the need to raise funds to get it off the ground. Highlight how the community will benefit from the support of donors.
Say thank you
Whether it is a letter of thanks or a newsletter celebrating a project milestone, remember to involve your donors along the way and thank them for their support. Successful projects depend on transparent processes and developing ongoing relationships with donors. In fact many donors contribute more than once during a life of the project.
New project approvals
The ASF welcomes the following new projects that have been approved in the period 1 January to 30 June 2007.
AFL NSW/ACT Commission, NSW Facility development
All Hallows School, QLD Equipment
Aquinas College, WA Facility development
Australian Real Tennis Association, VIC Sport development
Barwon Rowing Club, VIC Facility development
Dalby Town Council, QLD Facility development
Dandenong Thunder, VIC Equipment and facility feasibility study
Dromana Bowls Club, VIC Facility development
Glenelg Football Club, SA Facility development
Golf Australia, VIC Sport development
Goodwood Saints Football Club, SA Facility development
Kembla Joggers, NSW Facility development
Mackay Rowing Club, QLD Equipment
North Melbourne Football Club, VIC Facility development
Oberon Council, NSW Equipment
Parkes Hockey Association, NSW Facility development
Perth Flying Squadron Yacht Club, WA Major event
Portsea Golf Club, VIC Facility development
Presbyterian Ladies’ College Sydney, NSW Equipment
Rose Mountain, NSW Sport development
Royal Brighton Yacht Club, VIC Equipment
Seventh-day Adventist Schools (WA) Facility development
Tennis Victoria Sport development
The Grange Golf Club, SA Sport development
The Hampton Cricket Club, VIC Sport development
The Judo Federation of Australia, SA Major event
Victorian Tennis Association Sport development
West Pymble Bowing Club, NSW Facility development
Late news
The ASF plans to attend the WA Sport and Recreation clubs conference, scheduled for February 2008. If you are a Western Australian-based sporting organisation, look out for details of the conference and make arrangements to meet the ASF if you have questions on how we may be able to help you.
Next edition
The next edition of ASF News will be in March 2008. There has been an increase in the number of projects focusing on sustainable solutions for the provision of sports facilities for club or school use. In recognition of this, the next edition will highlight some of the innovative facility development projects that are working with the ASF.
If there are any matters on this or other topics involving the ASF that your organisation would like addressed in the next edition, please contact the ASF.
- ASF Newsletter - October 2007 (
PDF - 555.2 kb)
