1) individual support: how do individual players get support? As one of my players just pointed out, he went to his union successfully. Others have found their employers have matching grant system - you put in XX $ and they match. This is usually limited to tax exempt organization which is a USA entity wherein donations are tax deductible (ie Boy Scouts, Red Cross, etc come to mind as well as USOA). Also player can go to their families and friends - for my birthday, Christmas, ext present, could you????? and this is also tax deductible in US but money has to be given to USOA who then returns it to the player. Even small donations, ie $25, add up. Some persons can get time off with pay to attend a WC which is indirect support. Or what we call 'in kind' support - get local dive store to donate your fins or other equipment.

2) Federation support dollars - in US this is very difficult. Big manufacturers are mostly already tied into Olympic support. And remember, big companies set their budgets the year before, so bids/requests should be submitted by mid year the year before. Often big companies have official form and bid outline to use and don't consider any other applications.

3) Support for an event: in 1998 we found some limited support for food and drink for opening ceremonies. Bottled water company gave us 50% off; food companies (bread and cheese) gave substantial discounts. Guys hit local wineries week before, and we able to get bottle or two from about 10 wineries which was enough.

In US, as we (USAO) have tax exempt status, donations are deductible to company (ie bottled water company, baker, cheese factory, etc) at the retail sale level. I sent 'tax receipts' out to each donor allowing them to fill in value, and we listed each of them for a year in our newsletter as 'official donors.'

When approaching companies, all of Tris' ideas are good. I always emphasize how long federation has been in existence, that we are tax exempt, status of our teams (medals in past), cost of each player to attend the event in question and that they are self supporting. I think each country has to fit their specific situation and legal ramifications.

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Carol Rose