Grant Applications Deadline Approaching
This Community Tennis grant was established by the USTA Southern Foundation in 2014 and to date had distributed over $154,000 in community grants. Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000 per organization. Second year grants totaling half of the initial grant are distributed upon completion of the first-year goals. If you are interested in applying, please read the prerequisite information below.
Two-year grants are provided to assist CTAs and other USTA Member organizations in initiating and/or expanding tennis programming at the grass roots level, educating the public on sportsmanship, character and the health benefits of tennis.
Deadline is March 6, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. The application will be listed here in January 2020.
Community Tennis Grants Policy
The Southern Tennis Foundation (STF) is committed to tennis and education at the local level and has established community tennis grants available to programs throughout USTA Southern. These two-year grants are provided to promote growth and to assist community tennis associations and other organizations in initiating and/or expanding USTA tennis programming at the grass roots level and educating the public on sportsmanship, character and the health benefits tennis provides. Grants will be provided to local organizations (CTAs, schools, etc.) to support multi-session programs that provide on-going play and educational opportunities and grow the game, and to help these programs continue, grow, prosper and become self-sufficient. Grants will not be given to individuals or to support one-day programs, special events or other short-term programs.
Description
The applicant will determine the amount of the grant request. The minimum grant is $1,000 in year one; the maximum grant is $5,000 in year one. The grant will be awarded in consecutive years with the second year being 50 percent of the amount awarded in year one. A second year grant will be offered if the program meets or exceeds goals and the program continues. Matching funds are not required.
Qualifying Organizations/Programs
The grant is intended for organizations/programs that provide grass roots tennis in communities of all sizes. Examples are 10 and under programs, Junior Team Tennis leagues, School and After School programs, NJTL, Special Populations, etc. Adult programs (other than Special Populations) do not qualify.
Process
Grant applications will be distributed to CTAs and other potential organizations by e-mail and by individual contact from state staff and Tennis Service Representatives. Programs must be focused on growing tennis at the grass roots/local level and educating the public on good sportsmanship, character and the health benefits tennis provides. Participation goals and expectations will be required.
Deadline, Notification & Award
Decisions will be made by the Southern Tennis Foundation Community Grants Committee and approved by the state. The most deserving applications as determined by the STF Grants Committee will be selected for funding within budget and without consideration of equal state distribution. All grant applicants will be notified and funding provided on or before April . An in-person meeting with the state tennis service representative prior to the start of the program is required.
Selection
Grant recipients will be selected by the Southern Tennis Foundation Community Grants Committee and must be approved by the state. The major criteria will include:
- Organization
- Potential growth
- Education of the benefits tennis can offer for a healthy lifestyle
- Continuity in the communities served
Accountability
All grants recipients must be accountable for the proper use of these funds. All applications must include goals and these goals must be measurable, either through growth in USTA membership or through participation numbers. Accountability forms must be received by the following January for recipients to be eligible for the second year grant. Recipients who perform well in comparison to their goals and expectations will qualify for a second year grant. Recipients who do not complete a first year accountability form will not be eligible for the second year grant. For further information, contact Cee Jai Jones.