Golf organisations and projects attracted more than $6.6 million in tax deductible donations via Australian Sports Foundation registered projects in 2015-16.
The figure – more than double the $3 million raised in 2014-15 – was 21% of the record $32 million raised by the ASF last financial year.
Golf, along with AFL football ($8.5 million) and multi-sport organisations ($6.9 million) were Australia’s top three fundraising sports.
A further $7.9 million was raised towards the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. State Olympic councils fundraised more than $4.1 million for the Australian Olympic team, while National Sports Organisations participating in the Olympics and Paralympics generated $3.8 million for the development of their sport.
Golf also claimed four of the ASF’s top-10 highest grossing organisations in 2015-16, including the top two. The organisations were The Australian Golf Club Foundation (1st), Thaxted Golf Club Foundation (2nd), Golf Australia (6th) and Golf NSW (7th).
The ASF’s record $32 million fundraising result took total funds raised to in excess of $300 million since its establishment in 1986.
Australian Sports Foundation chief executive Patrick Walker said sport fundraising grew by a massive 88% and generated donations totalling $56 million in the past two years, and paid tribute to golf’s outstanding fundraising programs at club through to elite professional level.
“To increase fundraising for sport by $15 million, from $17 million to $32 million in two years, is a tremendous result and testimony of the importance sport plays across all areas of the Australian community,” Walker said.
“Golf has been one of the ASF’s most successful fundraising sports and more organisations within golf are recognising its importance as a revenue source.
“The beneficiaries of this amazing generosity are the countless numbers of boys and girls, men and women of all ages who are enjoying greater participation opportunities, improved facilities and equipment in competitive and recreational sport competitions and organisations.
“As a result of the generosity of Australians to support the foundation’s 1494 projects, we are delivering significant health, social and community benefits across the country.”
Mr Walker said the foundation was committed to reach its $500 million fundraising target and generate $100 million in raised funds per year by 2020.
“Not only are annual tax deductible total donations rising to record levels year on year, we had over 700 new sports projects and almost 300 new organisations register with us in the last financial year. We also had 9846 individual donations last financial year compared to over 8500 in 2014-15 – a rise of 16%,” he said.
“When you consider that the Australian philanthropic market is $2.9 billion, sport is receiving just over 1% of total donations. So there is considerable upside for Australian sport and for sports organisations if they partner with us and establish tax deductible fundraising programs,” added Mr Walker.
The ASF is listed in the Income Tax Assessment Act as a Deductible Gift Recipient and is the only body in Australian at which donations of $2 or more to sports projects are tax deductible.
For fundraising opportunities or to support grassroots sporting communities, go to www.asf.org.au or call on (02) 6214 7868.