The Southern Tennis Foundation (STF) is the charitable arm of the Southern Tennis Association and is operated by a 15-member Board of Trustees. The foundation offers financial assistance to worthy individuals and organizations that work to fulfill the mission to “Promote and develop the growth of tennis.”
This financial assistance includes:
- Grant assistance to junior players ranked in the top 100 in the South
- Matching grant assistance to state foundations to fund grants for players who are not ranked in the top 100 in the South
- College scholarships
- NJTL Excellence
- Line grants for 36’ and 60’ courts
- NJTL Chapter Capacity Building
- Facility Assistance Build It Forward Grants
Various committees consisting of trustees and advisors evaluate applications and grants financial support.
STF also selects inductees into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame, along with managing the Hall of Fame located in the lobby of the USTA Southern office.
Grant Assistance for Junior Players
These grants are based on family income and the player’s need depending on the number and level of sectional and national tournaments played during the year. Players must apply to their state foundation before applying to STF. Funding is provided after expense receipts have been submitted. The maximum grant is $3,000. Grants are provided throughout the year while budgeted funds are available. Click here for more information and our application.
Matching Grants to State Foundations
STF grants either $1,000 or $2,000 which must be matched by the state foundation. The funds STF grants are intended to be used to help players who are not ranked in the top 100 in the Section.
NJTL Excellence Program
Funds are provided to winners of the Arthur Ashe Essay Contest to help pay the expenses of a two-day trip to the Winston-Salem Open, a U.S Open Series ATP men’s event played in late August in Winston-Salem, N C.
Facility Assistance Grants
STF and USTA Southern have partnered to provide funding to assist communities with the cost of of resurfacing, reconstructing and building new facilities. Click here for more information.
Southern Tennis Hall of Fame
Induction ceremonies are traditionally conducted at the USTA Southern Annual Meeting in Atlanta every January. A Hall of Fame Selection Committee appointed by the STF Board of Trustees selects the inductees each year. Inductees consist of players, volunteers, administrators and officials who have notably contributed to Southern tennis. Inductees are listed on this website, under Hall of Fame. Plaques of the inductees are displayed in the Hall of Fame gallery in the lobby of the USTA Southern office, 5685 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners, Ga. To nominate worthy candidates, a form may be accessed by clicking here. The nomination deadline is July 1 for the candidate to be considered for induction the following January.
Fund Raising
The Foundation holds a fund raising Gala during the USTA Southern Annual Meeting providing fun, food and fellowship for donors, Section and state volunteers and staff. The Foundation makes other fund raising efforts during the year.
Making a Donation
You are invited to become a partner with the Southern Tennis Foundation. STF is a 501 (c)3 organization. Individual donations are recognized in the following categories: $100, $250, $500, $1,000 and other. All donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible. If you would like to make a donation by check, please download our donation form.
Non-cash Donations
There are many ways to give: by check, with appreciated securities and by life-income arrangements such as charitable gift annuities or charitable remainder trusts. If you would like to make a gift of stock, contact Matt Olson at the USTA Southern office, 770-368-8200
More Information
The Southern Tennis Foundation appreciates your support and we hope you will consider the Foundation in your charitable giving. General questions or requests for further information can be directed to STF Coordinator Jean Marie Simon at 770-368-8200.