Snowsports New Zealand has launched an initiative to encourage financial support for its athletes.
The chief executive of the national sporting body, Ross Palmer, said the "patrons and friends of snowsports" programme was modelled on trusts and charitable foundations set up by other overseas sports associations.
The trust would "provide the means" for donors to make tax-deductible contributions to a capital fund providing long-term financial support for sport and athlete development across all snowsports, he said.
"The goal is to raise $1 million before the start of the 2014 Winter Olympics," he said.
Building a sustainable capital base to generate income for development programmes for aspiring athletes was a priority for the Snowsports NZ board, Mr Palmer said.
The organisation wants to diversify its funding streams to provide a "mechanism" for supporters of snowsports to contribute to the success of its national teams, he said.
Snowsports NZ represents the disciplines of alpine ski racing, snowboarding, freeskiing, cross-country skiing and adaptive snowsports.
