Direct Athlete Support

Donor-Athlete Partnership Program

In order to compete on an international level, most elite swimmers are required to train full-time, limiting their opportunities for traditional employment. Most US National Team athletes rely on funding from outside sources to train and compete. With the median income for most Olympic hopefuls at less than $20,000 annually but the out-of-pocket expenses ranging anywhere from $25,000 to $40,000 for necessities like coaching, equipment, and travel, the need for additional support is evident.

The Donor-Athlete Partnership Program is a unique opportunity for families to not only financially support, but also build a partnership with one of our athletes that fosters a connection beyond the pool deck.

• Each donor family and athlete recipient will create a mutually agreed upon partnership that can involve, but is not limited to, correspondence, care packages, and career support.
• Acknowledgement of your family and your athlete partnership will be made at an agreed upon competition or through a news release.
• Donor will have the opportunity to renew or change the athlete recipient(s) in the partnership on an annual basis.
• Donor will receive a personalized letter from each athlete recipient.

Make an Impact

• Establish an endowment in your family’s name, starting at $250,000. 
• Pledge a charitable contribution, starting at $60,000. 

Interested in learning more?
Please contact the USA Swimming Foundation at 719-866-3587 or Foundation@usaswimming.org

Donor-Athlete Partnership Program (+)

Donors who are interested in supporting a current athlete through our Donor Athlete Partnership Program (DAPP) and the National Team Transition Fund (NTTF) can fund both simultaneously through our DAPP (+) gift level.

Please Note:

• Supporting DAPP (+) does not guarantee NTTF funding for your specific DAPP athlete.

Donors Looking to Make an Impact:

• Establish an endowment in your family’s name, starting at $250,000.
• Pledge a charitable contribution, starting at $80,000.
  • $15,000 per year will go directly to support the athlete.
  • $5,000 per year will go into the National Team Transition Fund endowment.
• The totality of a pledge can be paid over the course of four  years.

National Team Transition Fund (NTTF)

No matter when athletes decide to retire from our sport—be it after college or after the Olympic Games—the transition from the pool deck to an office desk is an inevitable and challenging life step. The National Team Transition Fund (NTTF) provides financial support to assist athletes transitioning into the next phase of their careers.

Eligibility: Only Athletes who were named on the following Teams are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity:

• 2024-2025 U.S. National Team (expires 12/31/28)
• 2023-2024 U.S. National Team (expires 12/31/27)

The USA Swimming National Team staff will work with the USA Swimming Foundation staff to select eligible athlete recipient(s) from among those who complete the below requirements:

• Participate in an exit interview with a member of the USA Swimming Psychological Services staff or a USOPC psychological service provider.
• Meet with a financial advisor.
• Completed or presently enrolled in the United States Olympic & Paralympic Career Transition Program.

Upon approval, each athlete will receive a one-time award up to $4,000.

Funds for the National Team Transition Fund will be distributed as needed throughout the calendar year starting in 2025. We cannot predict when and to whom these funds will be distributed as this is a communal fund.

Donors Looking to Make an Impact:

• Establish an endowment in your family’s name, starting at $100,000
• Pledge a charitable contribution, starting at $50,000.
• The totality of a pledge can be paid over the course of four years.

Travel and Training Support

A major part of any elite level swimmer’s training and competition expenses lies in transportation to and from competitions. Between airfare, hotel accommodations, rental cars, and proper nutrition while on the road, the ability to finance travel can be a direct factor in how successful an athlete can be on the international stage. The USA Swimming Foundation helps National Team athletes by assisting in the coverage of travel related expenses to ensure that the focus of these athletes can remain on the pool and that careers do not end due to financial constraints.

Expenses tied to being an elite athlete outside of the pool can also weigh heavily on National Team athletes. Recovery modalities and services like massages, chiropractic therapy, physical therapy, and other recovery tools are necessities that can add up quickly. To then add on dietary demands that come with training at such a high-level means that many athletes find themselves having to prioritize and choose what gets left out. Dollars provided by donors help supplement these costs so that no part of a training and recovery regiment gets neglected.

To learn more and get engaged with USA Swimming’s efforts to ensure National Team success, please contact the USA Swimming Foundation at foundation@usaswimming.org.