USADS complies with the USA Deaf Sports Federation donation policy.

Fundraising Guidelines
This document will be used to address fundraising guidelines. This applies to all fundraising including, but not limited to: Deaflympics, World Championships, training, tryouts, and general needs. Fundraising efforts are for USA Deaf Swimming (USADS) and to send athletes to ICSD-sanctioned competition.

Fundraising amount: USADS and athletes are required to fundraise the full amount to cover their participation in the event. USADS will fundraise to ease the financial and fundraising burden on the athletes.

Fundraising timelines: Timelines for when payments are due to USADS will be announced when available. USADA will establish payment timelines based on timelines determined by the USA Deaf Sports Federation (USAFSF) or International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) and the event host countries. Generally, half deposit is expected 6 months prior and full payment is expected 3 months prior to competition start.

Ways to receive donations: USADS uses Mighty Cause as our primary fund raising platform.  Athletes may establish personal fund raising campaigns on the USADS Might Cause site.

Refunds: Donations made through USADS platform or directly to USADS (via check or cash) are non-refundable as USADS is a 501c3 organization and donors automatically receive tax information statements. If the athlete elects to pay their own way instead of fundraising, they can obtain a refund as this would not be considered a donation and no tax statement would be issued. Refunds will consider the amount of costs incurred prior to being issued.

Examples: if after total amount is met, the athlete is forced to withdraw from participation, did not make the final roster, or other circumstances,

Athlete pays in full: the athlete can submit a request for reimbursement.

Athlete fundraises for full amount: the athlete cannot submit a request for reimbursement. The donors will receive tax statements for their donation. Funds will be used to support the USADS for continued participation.

Athlete fundraises and pays out of pocket remaining amount: athlete can request reimbursement up to the amount paid out of pocket for expenses.

Event cancellation: In the unfortunate situation that an event is canceled, funds will be held in escrow for the next event that is scheduled. For example, suppose the 2021 Deaflympics was canceled instead of postponed, the funds would be held until the next Deaflympics in 2025. If funds were donated for a specific person, funds would be held by USADS and be tracked for that individual for the next event. If the individual does not participate in the next event, the funds will be used to support USADS during that next event. If the athlete paid their own way and the event was canceled, they could request a reimbursement.

Athlete participation: Donors can choose to donate to specific athletes.

**Prior to doing so, student-athletes and potential student-athletes should consult with their respective school’s compliance officer if this is allowable under NCAA guidelines.** Please review Amateur Athlete Fundraising Guidelines.

If the athlete makes the final roster, these funds will be used to ease the fundraising burden of that athlete. In the event the athlete does not make the final roster, the athlete can submit a request to receive funds to cover expenses related to attending tryouts (airfare, room, and board). Reimbursement requests would be allowable up to the amount fundraised and after costs incurred are considered. Remaining funds will be used to support the general USADS.