Giving back to Ironman Communities
Frequently Asked Questions
Please make sure you check the FAQ for important information and answers to many of your questions!
How do I know if there are slots available for a future event?
- The North America Sports chart above has live links to a PDF form for each race that has slots available. We open the slots when general entries have sold out. We close the slots when we reach our quota of athletes per race. If race is sold out and the link above is not live, then the NASCF slots are sold out. We do not take waiting lists for any events.
I'm entered into an event through the Community Foundation and I want to transfer to another event. Can I choose any event as long as it's the current year or the next year?
- If you are a Community Foundation athlete, currently registered in a 2008 event, there are events in 2008 available to transfer. You can transfer to any event in 2008 or 2009 that has space available. "Space" means that the Community Foundation must still be accepting entries.
You must a submit written request to the NA Sports office no later than 30 days prior to your original race date by email at admin@nasports.com or by fax at 303-449-4487. Our office will confirm which races are currently available for you to transfer. Please understand that once we close entry, we cannot add new entries or transfers. Do not assume that you can transfer to any race you want to. The more advance notice you give us, the better the chance that your first choice will be available. There are no guarantees.
Some of the Community Foundation forms are live and some are not...what does this mean?
- Live forms are active links to the pdf because we are still taking entries for that race. We do not guarantee that you will get a slot if you can download a form. You must mail it in with payment and wait for an email confirmation (usually takes 7-10 days from receipt). When we get close to filling the event, the link is deactivated, and we fill with the last few entries that come in.
Why can't we fax/ use credit cards for the North America Sports Community Foundation, wouldn't this make it easier to apply?
- It might make it easier for an individual athlete, but not for our administration that handles hundreds of applications, inquiries, phone calls and emails every day.
We take only checks for community foundation entries. The payment you make goes directly to a 501c3 charitable organization called North America Sports Community Foundation. NASCF is not set up to take credit cards and require payment directly per IRS rules. We need to receive your complete application with two separate checks (one for the NA Sports entry fee and the other for the NASCF donation).
After I send my form with payment, how do I know when/ if I'm in the race?
- When we receive your North America Sports Community Foundation entry and payment into the race before the slots are closed; we will notify you by email (you must have a valid email address). Please do not call to inquire of the status of your entry. Every athlete will get an email if they have been accepted into the event. You must check all folders (inbox, junk, spam etc.) We process the applications as quickly as we can and every call delays this process. You must reply to that email in a timely manner to confirm your entry. Sometimes, filters route this email to spam or junk, please check all of your folders for this email. If you send in the form and have not received the email from our office after two weeks, please email us at cfund@nasports.com.
What do I get as an NAS Community Foundation athlete?
- You are gain entery into the race, when it is sold out. There is some flexibility to your entry, because you can transfer once to another event (subject to availability), as long as you notify us by email 30 days prior to our original event.
You get a gift of Team Community Foundation Merchandise. 2008 gifts have not been determined as of right now. This gift is not mailed out, you will recieve the merchandise when you register at the event.
You will be invited by email to an exclusive Meet & Greet with the Paula Newby-Fraser and the multisports.com team raceweek!
We recommend that you sign up for the monthly athlete newsletter at www.nasports.com/newsletter/index.php
The newsletter gives you the latest news from NA Sports! It includes great offers from sponsors and event updates! Make our website your homepage and you'll never miss an important announcement again!
Now that I'm entered in an Ironman, I'd like to raise more funds for charity. Are there any other charities that NA Sports is involved with?
- YES! Champions in Courage Foundation (CiC) is a charity founded by hockey superstar, Pat Lafontaine. The website is:
www.companions-in-courage.org/
We are partnering with CiC so that together, we can create a lasting legacy in each community that hosts an Ironman in North America. Please read more about the CiC on their website and consider raising funds for this great cause! Watch the newsletter for more information on an incentive program, based on fund-raising goals.
If I do not get accepted into the NA Sports Community Foundation what is done with my application and checks?
- Your checks ($525 + $775) and application are mailed back to you if you are not accepted into the NA Sports Community Foundation.
My employer's matching form is online. What do I do?
- Fill out the online form with the necessary information. You should get a confirmation page, which you can print off and send in with your completed NASCF request form and payment. The fees for 2009 events are $525 entry and $387.50 donation (half of $775).
My employer will match donations, how do I do this?
- Please submit your application and payments, along with the matching form from your employer. NASCF will fill out the necessary information and submit it to your employer for payment. For 2009 events, you will need to enclose a $525 check to NA Sports for the entry and $387.50 to NASCF for the donation (half of $775.00).
What is the relationship between the NA Sports Community Fund and the Janus Charity Challenge?
- Every athlete that signs up through the North America Sports Community Fund for an event is able register for the Janus Charity Challenge. After all you have already raised $500 for the NA Sports Community Fund!
Janus Capital Group has creates a wonderful program at our events.
Their website is:
www.januscharitychallenge.com/site/c.egLOIYOGKtF/b.591467/k.CC30/Home.htm
Janus wants you to take your fundraising goals one step further and choose a charity (NA Sports Community Fund or any charity that is significant to you) to raise money and awareness for.
NAS is partnering with the CiC Foundation in 2006. www.companions-in-courage.org/index.html
What are the Community Foundation gifts in 2008?
- a fleece, shirt, visor, and sling backpack
May an athlete submit more than one check for the donation to NA Sports Community Foundation or gather sponsors to cover the $775.00 donation?
- Yes, athletes can submit one or more checks for the donation to NAS Community Foundation. Athletes can make a personal donation or through their business. Some athletes choose to fundraise the donation from friends, family, co-workers and businesses. All donation checks need to be made out to the NASCF enclosed with the $525 race entry and application.
Each donor will receive a letter for tax receipt purposes. Please make sure that each donor has a valid mailing address on their check. We prefer not to receive cash donations.
Where are the funds generated by the NA Sports Community Foundation spent?
- Funds are pooled in the NAS Community Foundation account. Grants are issued to each race community every year. NASCF donates between $25,000 - $50,000 to each race community. Many of the volunteer captains assist in choosing local charities. The main focus of the NAS Community Foundation grants is youth and sports. There is a link on the NA Sports Community Foundation website that lists the grants distributed for the years 2003 -2006.
I haven't received/ can't find my tax receipt letter from ACT. What can I do?
- Each contributor should get a letter from NASCF that they can submit when they file income tax statements. Please make sure that each donor has a mailing address, otherwise the athlete will recieve the letter. The donation can be posted to the year that the athlete races. For example, if you were registered for 2007 Ford Ironman Arizona, then you are able to submit the receipt with your 2007 taxes, which is due by April 15, 2008. /
Comunity Fund Program Description
To help give back to the communities which play host to Ironman events in the U.S. and Canada, North America Sports formed the North America Sports Community Foundation.
The Ironman Community Foundation provides a financial opportunity for North America Sports to help those in the community who support our events, with a heavy emphasis on providing sports opportunities for children.
Athletes who compete in Ironman events help to raise funds for the North America Sports Community Foundation through the purchase of NA Sports Community Fund spots.
Community Fund Entry
Once a full Ironman event is closed to entry, a limited number of NA Sports Community Foundation spots are made available for those still wishing to enter.
A Community Foundation Entry is $1300.00.
To enter an event via the Community Foundation, you will need to do the following:
- Send a printed copy of the request page, signed and dated.
- Check # 1 in the amount of $ 525.00 USD for the race entry fee, made payable to “North America Sports”. The $10 fee for USAT insurance is NOT included. If you are not an annual USAT member, you will be required to purchase a one-day license at registration.
- Check #2 in the amount of $775.00 USD for the donation portion made out to “NA Sports Community Foundation”.
IMPORTANT: You MUST send 2 separate checks, 1 for your race entry and the second for the donation.
REMEMBER: Until we receive the request page and payment you are NOT entered into the race. Once we receive your information and payment you will receive an email confirming receipt of payment. You will then receive a link to an online application that you will need to fill out. Please allow sufficient time for us to process your request form, usually between 7 - 10 days from receipt of information to our offices.
To enter an Ironman event via a Community Foundation spot, download and complete the application for the desired event below: (only available races are hot links)
Up to the minute NASCF slot availability with the
Real-Time Entry Tracker (live database feed):
(click on the race name to download the pdf request form)
If you need further information, contact the North America Sports Athlete Service Center at 303-442-9097 ext. 27 or ext. 33 or via e-mail at admin@nasports.com.
Fund Distribution
The North America Sports Community Foundation funds are disbursed in two ways.
The primary focus is to provide kids with the opportunity to excel and/or compete in athletics of all kinds. Money is targeted to a specific function within that sport so that its effects are felt directly by the participants.
Through these efforts we hope to provide more opportunity for young people to compete in athletics of all kinds. North America Sports reserves the right to amend or change this policy as they see fit.
Great examples of application of the community fund are:
- Creation and maintenance of Ironkids cross-country running program, providing coaching, uniforms and travel.
- Creation and maintenance of Ironkids Swim Team program, providing coaching, uniforms, meets and travel.
- NYSEF Nordic Ski Program, providing scholarships, equipment and travel.
- Soccer Teams in Mosley (FL) and Arnold (FL), providing uniforms.
- Panama City Swim Team, providing scholarships and travel.
- Penticton Minor Hockey, providing travel.
- Help with the start-up costs of the Lake Placid High School Girls' Hockey Team
The second way funds are distributed are via aids station groups. Volunteer captains of aid stations at each event allocate community funds to charitable organizations within the community.
Other volunteer non-profit organizations who assist at Ironman also receive benefits.
Examples of these donations from Ironman USA Lake Placid in 2002 are:
- North Country Life Flight
- Families First - Essex County
- Wimington Fire Department
- Black Brook Playground Project
- ADK Habitat for Humanity
- CVPH Medical Center
- Girl Scouts
- North Country Ministries
- ADK Christmas Box Angel of Hope Project
- St, Joseph's Rehabilitation Center
- ADK Medical Center
Athlete Benefits
- Entry into event, when access is closed to general applicants
- Recognition as an NA Sports Community Foundation participant
- Special Community Foundation gifts, which can be picked up at registration at the race site.
- Email updates with information on how the funds are being distributed
- Special acknowledgement from program participants
More Information
Letter for Income Tax Purposes
Every NAS Community Foundation participant will receive a letter for Income Tax purposes from the NAS Community Foundation, a registered 501 (c) (3). The letter will state the amount of the contribution and that donors have received no goods or services for the gift to the NA Sports Community Foundation and are fully deductible. This letter can be included with the tax return filed by U.S. Residents. Citizens of other countries may not be able to claim this deduction on their tax return. Please contact the specific tax department of the country in question for rules on donations made to American charitable organizations.
Refunds
The donation to NA Sports Community Foundation is non-refundable. Therefore, if a refund is requested, you would follow the general refund policy as stated on the application form.
Transfers
NA Sports Community Foundation members are allowed one (1) transfer to another race up to 30 days before their original race date. Transfers are not allowed after the original event has taken place. The athlete may transfer to a race in the same calendar year or the following calendar year. Fax all requests for transfers, including information that you are an NASCF athlete to the Athlete Service Center at:
303-442-9097 ext. 27
toll free: 1-888-280-9097 ext. 27
fax: 303-449-4487
1919 14th Street, Suite 407, Boulder, CO 80302
We reserve the right to limit transfers from one race to another.
Information
Please provide current email addresses and remember to update us when a change is made. We use email as our primary avenue of contact to athletes. You can email all changes to: admin@nasports.com. A race-specific update will be sent one month prior to each race. Information on exclusive activities and special last-minute instructions will be included.
For more information on the North America Sports Community Foundation, please contact Melody at 1-888-280-9097 ext. 27 or by email at: cfund@nasports.com
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