The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), in partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) today launched a new joint fundraising initiative allowing Australians to make tax-deductible donations directly to Australia’s aspiring Olympians.
The Aspiring Australian Olympian Funding initiative has been developed to provide a new avenue of financial support for Australia’s up-and-coming stars and future Olympians, who often earn so little, they live below the poverty line.
AOC CEO Mark Arbib said the fundraising opportunity, deliberately launched just before “tax time”, provides a unique opportunity for all Australians – no matter how much they have to give – to directly fund Olympic dreams.
“While Australians love, watch and follow the Summer and Winter Olympics closely, many will probably be surprised at the enormous costs associated with competing at the elite level, and how little our elite Australian athletes often survive on,” Mr Arbib said.
“By donating, we want Australians to know they’re potentially making someone else’s Olympic dream a reality.
“Even a small tax-deductible donation of no more than a handful of gold coins, could ultimately deliver the greatest gold of all,” he said.
Australian Winter Olympic Skeleton competitor Nick Timmings said previous funds raised through the Australian Sports Foundation’s tax-deductible platform had made a huge difference to his ability to travel, eat and live as he competes around the world.
“While I’m always upbeat about the joys that come with being an elite athlete, the reality is last European Winter, that “elite” athlete life involved couch-surfing across the continent, because the cost of accommodation was simply beyond my means,” Mr Timmings said.
“Australian athletes do what they do for the love of sport and the opportunity of representing our country in the world’s biggest event.
“I’ll also unashamedly give a plug for our Australian Winter athletes who might sometimes be lesser known to Australians, but are massively punching above our weight on the world stage.
“With Milano Cortina 2026 only eight months away, I urge Australians to get behind our Winter Team members to give them the very best chance of success,” he said.
AOC Vice President Matt Allen, who personally donated a total of $125,000 in matching the AOC’s medal incentive payments for Paris Olympic medallists in sailing and athletics, said the ASF partnership provided a user-friendly and tax-deductible mechanism to get money directly into to hip pockets of athletes.
“Every donation to an athlete is about recognising what they endure and what they do for us as a society,” Mr Allen said.
“They lift us up. So I feel a personal responsibility to do what I can to lift them up in return.
“Whether the donation be small or large, every cent is going towards something that is in fact invaluable,” he said.
Australian Sports Foundation CEO Sue Hunt said the organisation was proud to collaborate with the AOC on a unique initiative to champion aspiring Olympians through its fundraising platform.
“Too many of our aspiring athletes are forced to choose between their sporting dreams and making ends meet,” Ms Hunt said.
“Through our partnership with the AOC, we are delighted to be creating this new “home” for aspiring Olympians to showcase their story, making it easier for Australians to support their journey with tax-deductible donations.
“Already, almost 30 athletes working towards Milano Cortina have launched their own fundraising campaigns through our platform. It’s a clear sign of just how vital this support is,” she said.
Mr Arbib, who commenced in the CEO role just four weeks ago, has said one of his key focus areas will be building philanthropic support for Australia’s athletes.
Australians can donate to as many athletes as they like, and as often as they like. All donations are tax-deductible.
