$1 Million Challenge

About the $1 Million Challenge

 

Athletes Apply Here  Businesses Sign Up Here

 

The Aussie Athlete Fund $1 Million Challenge, will help break down athletes' financial barriers by providing fundraising education and assistance from businesses and/or employees of businesses. 

The Challenge is to pair 100 athletes with 100 businesses with the purpose of raising $10,000 for the athlete. As a team, the athlete and business/employee work together to fundraise for the athlete's sporting journey. The quicker the fundraising, the faster incentive rewards are achieved (eg merchandise).

Running annually from April to October, athletes and businesses gain access to:

  • A world-class on-demand fundraising education platform, powered by etrainu
  • Mentorship from five-time Olympian Nat Cook and fellow sporting greats
  • Monthly calls for athletes and businesses with special guest speakers, check in's, Q&A
  • Events, networking, special incentives
  • A national network of like-minded athletes and businesses, driving long-term change

Athletes won’t be doing this alone! 

Nat Cook OAM OLY, along with some of her fellow athletes who have navigated this journey before, will support athletes via online mentoring/coaching calls to help with ideas, hints and tips. 

This is a partnership and we will work together to help athletes raise money for their sporting endeavours, provide them with fundraising skills and the confidence they will need to achieve financial sustainability. 

ALL THE MONEY RAISED IN THE $1 MILLION CHALLENGE GOES DIRECTLY TO THE ATHLETES (via the athlete's ASF page)!

Australian Sports Foundation is a non-profit sport fundraising and charity body. For donations of $2 or more, donors are eligible to claim a tax deduction. 

  • Athletes and businesses (corporates, small and large businesses, employees of businesses, individuals and philanthropists) are invited sign up to participate in the $1 Million Challenge. Aussie Athlete Fund will assess each application and select our Challenge pairs.
  • Up to 100 Aussie athletes (from all sports, competing at a national level) will be aimed to be paired with 100 businesses/organisations.
    • Please note that not all athletes will be paired with a business pending business interest will determine how many athletes will be paired. Example: 50 businesses are interested in assisting one athlete each means 50 athletes will be paired.
  • Aussie Athlete Fund will connect and pair athletes and businesses/organisations and get pairs started on their fundraising journey. How pairs conduct their fundraising will be a matter for them (Aussie Athlete Fund will provide tips and hints along the way).
  • Once selected, athletes will be required to create an Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) page where their fundraising money will be collected.
    • Aussie Athlete Fund will assist athletes to set up their ASF page.
  • Athletes will receive fundraising education, mentoring support, opportunities to hear from guest speakers, incentives for hitting fundraising targets and support throughout the $1 Million Challenge journey.
  • Athlete and business pairs will work as a team, using the ASF platform (tax deductible resource) to receive funds raised. As a team, they will be encouraged to create innovative ways to raise funds for the athlete.
  • The goal is to raise $10,000 per athlete, within a specified time, to be used to support the athlete's sporting journey, eg flights, accommodation, coaching, equipment, recovery, nutrition etc.
  • Athletes may earn incentives for reaching fundraising targets along the way.

The Challenge is an opportunity that goes beyond just fundraising. The program will provide skills and education to athletes and their families on how to raise funds, with the goal to achieve some financial independence and confidence.

There is no limit. 

Our goal is for athlete/business pairs to raise $10,000 per athlete. However, the more money a pair can raise for an athlete the better: more competitions to enter, more high level training camps, better equipment and other items to help them perform at the highest level. 

Towards the end of the Challenge, Aussie Athlete Fund will select 20 athletes (based on their applications) to join the Elevate 20 Program. These athletes will receive additional education, incentives, opportunities, and a donation!

PLUS there will be awards for up to six athletes who meet the criteria which also includes an additional donation directly to the athlete.