Australian Football Association of North America

(Update:  Long time member Henry Karnilowicz has challenged all supporters to match his generous donation! ...and Hawks supporter Andy T has challenged fans of other clubs, too! -- see here.)

Every day brings more grim economic news and it has affected every one of us in some way.  AFANA isn't immune to the impact either.  AFANA wants to remind you that we need your support too, at this critical time.   This month makes a remarkable 13 years that AFANA has been existence and working to get more Australian football to fans across North America. However, as we begin our 14th year, the situation is very serious.

Since we shifted to donations this year and away from the membership model of the past, total receipts have reached barely over $1,400.00 $2,400 and in the past month we have received less than $100 $1100. The expenses don’t change and with such small support, it is getting increasingly difficult to "pay the piper".   We want to avoid some of the alternatives we will certainly have to consider if the situation doesn't improve.

To do what we do without AFL funding has always depended on the generosity of our supporters and the work of our staff who labor away without the benefit of payment each week. A quick look around this web site will show how hard our staff in the US, Canada, and Australia continue to work even in the off season. We continue to post AFL news summaries and we have been pleased to report on big gains in the TV coverage for fans in the USA. The efforts of the staff deserve your support. 

If you benefit from the news and TV schedules we publish, please consider making a donation, as without it we can’t continue. (If you are among those who have already donated, please seek out another fan of the sport and encourage them to support us!). Donations can be made through the web site (click on this link: “Donate” or use the Donate button at the upper right of every page or send a check (made out to "AFANA") to the address below. Thank you.)

Questions and Answers:
Q:  Does all money go to AFANA?   A:  Yes, all funds received go toward the operation and expenses of AFANA and payment to the creditors.
Q:  Is AFANA non-profit?   A:  We are operated as a not-for-profit entity but do not have IRS recognition as a not-for-profit corporation, thus donations are not tax deductible. 
Q:  Do you accept credit cards?   A:  We only accept credit card payments via PayPal.   
Q:  What is your fundraising goal?   A:  We haven't set a specific goal yet but we need to get back to the levels we were at during previous years. 


Challenges:  Henry Karnilowicz writes:  I am willing to chip in a couple hundred bucks and hope that others will do likewise. It would be very disappointing if most everyone else couldn't do this as I think AFANA has been a great source for footy info etc.  You can circulate this letter to all the members.

Andy T writes:  From an AFANA supporter... OK, listen up all you poor Aussies, Yanks, and Aussie wanna-be's. AFANA is bleeding to death and us Hawks supporters are not going to stand by and allow that to happen. So as a Hawks supporter and an AFANA believer, I am chipping in a fifty to the cause. Rob, please mark my hard earned greenbacks toward the "Hawks supporters AFANA rescue package" tally. Cause us Hawks supporters are easily going to donate the most to AFANA, mainly because Hawthorn is the best and most generous supporter base of them all. Certainly much prouder and passionate as compared to you wussy Cats, Blues, Bombers and Saints heros out there. And we all know the Doggies and Eagles supporters will just pretend to be broke, and Swannies & Demons will be too busy scoffing down caviar and champers. And as for any Pies supporters, don't get me started. Tigers supporters could be a dark horse though, them being dizzy with excitement about their recent recruitment & likely to happily pull out black and yellow checkbooks without concern. Rob, keep us informed about which team of supporters donates the most... obviously I'm betting it will be Hawkers, with Tigers close behind! Go Hawks for '09.

Thank you for your support.

-Rob de Santos
Chairman

Australian Football Association of North America
PO Box 27623
Columbus, OH 43227-0623