USATF needs to implement the strategy that I believe USAT does, require that any participant in a USATF-sanctioned event be a member of USATF.
Just think,
NYC Marathon:
40,000 x $10 membership fee = $4 million from one race. Boom.
Peachtree 10k:
60,000 x $10 membership fee = $6 million from one race. Boom.
That money gets divided out amongst the following areas:
1. Elite athlete stipends
2. T&F/XC/Road racing promotion (tv, billboards, etc)
3. USATF training centers w/ top-level coaches and facilities
4. Not to Stephanie Hightower