Website RallyMe.com is "partnering with" six NGBs, including the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association, on crowd-funding for aspiring Olympic athletes, according to Kelly Whiteside of USA TODAY. A joint announcement with the association is "expected this week." The site also is "in the process of forming alliances with other U.S. sports federations." RallyMe.com Founder Bill Kerig said that "every elite athlete or team" over the next five years "will be using some sort of crowd-funding" to raise money. Skeleton racer Katie Uhlaender "hopes to raise $20,000 in 45 days." Uhlaender said, "I hate asking. I would rather help someone else. This is really hard for me, to ask for help." The USOC last week "announced details of a foundation to significantly increase fundraising." Bobsledder Jazmine Fenlator's RallyMe webpage "details her and her family's struggles." Fenlator's goal is "to raise $15,000 in the next 70 days." Donators "receive various levels of swag -- from a personal postcard from a stop on the World Cup tour to VIP passes at the start line of a World Cup race" in Lake Placid in December. Several short-track speedskaters "have profiles on" GoFundMe.com. Speedskater Kyle Carr "started a profile after seeing the success teammate" Emily Scott had (USA TODAY, 7/9).
MOTOWN MONEY: In Detroit, Terry Foster notes prospective Olympic boxer Monayah Patterson "stood on area street corners asking for donations to help her reduce costs for" the Ringside World Championships beginning July 29 in K.C., and she "did it with her championship belts draped around her shoulders." Patterson said, "Some people might ignore me and drive by. They don’t know what I am doing. But I am out there talking positive. I am doing something positive. Right now it is a struggle" (DETROIT NEWS, 7/9).
