United States Tennis Association Grants Summary

The USTA offers a variety of grants to help grow the game of tennis in many ways. Below please find a short description of each grant, along with key dates and requirements. Feel free to contact grants@usta.com for further information and questions.

Diversity/Multicultural
Organization
Equipment/Facility
Event / Workshops
Parks & Recreation
Programming
USTA Serves

Multicultural Excellence Program Grant  
Provide funding to competitive junior development programs that are training youngsters aspiring to achieve national and/or international rankings. Funding will be based on number of players with sectional and national rankings in a specific program. Must be a year-round program that provides a high level of on-court instruction and off-court training opportunities. Must have a history of developing tournament level players. Click here to download application.

National Contact: Michele Kern, Diversity Assistant (914) 696-7203 kern@usta.com
Grant amount: $5,000 plus coaching assistance
Apps Available: 1-Nov
Date Apps Due Section: End of December
Date Apps Due USTA: January
Data Grant Awarded: February

Multicultural Individual Player Grant for National Competition & Training
Provide funding to competitive junior players aspiring to achieve national and/or international rankings. Funding will be based on the success level of the player in the previous year. Must be training and competing in tournaments year-round. Have a history of strong national tournament results. Click here to download application.

National Contact: Michele Kern, Diversity Assistant (914) 696-7203 kern@usta.com
Grant Amount: maximum $10,000
# Available: Varies
Apps Available: 1-Nov
Date Apps Due Section: End of December
Date Apps Due USTA: January
Data Grant Awarded: February

Okechi Womeodu Scholar Athlete Grant
Honor the memory, life, and achievements of Okechi Womeodu, who otherwise would have had a very promising future, on and off the court. Reward players who work to excel as much in the classroom as in sports. Must be training and competing in tournaments year-round. Have a history of strong national tournaments results and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Click here to download application.

National Contact: Michele Kern, Diversity Assistant (914) 696-7203 kern@usta.com
Grant Amount: $5,000
# Available: 2 will be awarded; 1 male and 1 female
Date Apps Available: 1-Nov
Date Apps Due Section: End of December
Date Apps Due USTA: January
Date Grant Awarded: February

Althea Gibson Leadership Award
Honor the memory, life, and achievements of Althea Gibson, who paved the way for millions who followed.  Reward players who work to excel in leading others on and off the court. Must  be training and competing in tournaments year-round. Click here to download application.

National Contact: USTA Office of Diversity
Grant Amount: $2,500
# Available: 2 awarded
Date Apps Available: 1-Nov
Date Apps Due Section: End of December
Date Apps Due USTA: January
Date Grant Awarded: February

Multicultural USTA Tennis Teachers Conference and Arthur Ashe Kids Day Moderator Scholarship
Provide funding to cover expenses for multicultural coaches to attend USTA Tennis Teachers Conference and assist with Arthur Ashe Kids Day.

National Contact: Michele Kern, Diversity Assistant (914) 696-7203 kern@usta.com
Grant Amount: $1,000
# Available: 17; 1 per USTA Section
Date Apps Available: June
Date Apps Due Section: July
Date Apps Due USTA: July
Date Grant Awarded: September

Public Facility Grant
The USTA Public Facility Funding Program is extremely competitive.  The need for new tennis facilities or improvements at existing facilities is not, in and of itself, sufficient justification for a grant.  Public Facility Funding Program grants are intended to have a major impact on the growth of tennis in a community and the clients served by that organization.  Our review includes a thorough evaluation of the programmatic, administrative, financial and organizational accomplishments of the applicant.  The USTA Public Facility Funding grant begins with submission of a Tennis Facility Inquiry Form.  This inquiry should be completed online and can be found here.  After review of the Tennis Facility Inquiry Form and initial follow-up conversation with a USTA representative, some applicants will qualify to submit a full USTA Public Facility Funding Application.

National Contact: Shannon Hatton, USTA, Programs Coordinator, (914) 696-7291, technical@usta.com
Grant Amount: Category I - up to $4,000 with possible Section or District match, Category II - up to $35,000 or 20% project total   Category III - up to $50,000 or 20% project total
Date Apps Available: Varies
Date Apps Due Section: Inquiry is open year round. PFF Applications are accepted from March to October 1st.
Date Apps Due USTA: Spring Deadline: Anytime between March 1st and October 1st
Date Grant Awarded: Grantees are notified within 60 days of submitting an application of grant status.

USTA School Tennis
Assistance in obtaining tennis equipment for school programs (ex. racquets, portable nets, and easy-to-rally tennis balls), teacher friendly lesson plans, teacher training, and after school program grants.

Contact: Section School Coordinators
Grant Amount: Varies based on commitment from school districts/schools
# Available: Varies
Date Apps Available: Year Round
Date Apps Due Section: Year Round
Date Apps Due USTA: Year Round
Date Grant Awarded: As Ordered

CTA & NJTL Community Tennis Development Workshop Scholarship
Available to all USTA registered CTA and NJTL Chapter/Program Leaders who have demonstrated continued excellence in community development and/or youth programming. Priority will be given to applicants from organizations that have never received a scholarship. District and Section Staff are not eligible to apply.

National Contact: Valerie Chin (NJTL), (914) 696-7160, chin@usta.com, or David Slade (CTA) (914) 696-7241, slade@usta.com
Grant Amount: One (1) conference registration and two (1) nights hotel room
# Available: Varies
Date Apps Available: October
Date Apps Due Section: N/A
Date Apps Due USTA: November
Date Grant Awarded: December

USTA Pro Circuit Community Involvement Day Grant
Heighten Awareness re: Community Programs w/ Pro Circuit. The grant is applicable to funding various activities during a USTA Pro Circuit tournament, i.e. Kid's Day, Wheelchair Tennis Exhibition.

National Contact: Louise Maher, Pro Circuit Coordinator, (914) 696-7032, maher@usta.com
Grant Amount: $500 to $3,000
# Available: Varies
Date Apps Available: October & April
Date Apps Due Section: N/A
Date Apps Due USTA: November & May
Date Grant Awarded: December & June

Recreational Tennis Grant
Available to USTA Community Tennis Associations, USTA NJTL Chapters and Programs, Parks and Recreation Agencies, School/School Districts, Military Base organizations, non-profit community based organizations.

• Program and Project Support:  Applicants may submit an application seeking funding to support their general tennis programming, project and equipment needs.  Applicants should meet the following objectives: increase tennis participation, support tennis programming, and foster diversity with both tennis participation and programming.
  (Approximate Range: $500 - $10,000)

• Community Partnership Investment:  Applicants may submit an application seeking funding to establish and/or develop community based partnerships to meet the following objectives: increase tennis participation, support tennis programming, and foster diversity with both tennis participation and programming. The USTA will award grants to selected organizations that present a clear vision for establishing community based partnerships to meet these objectives.  These proposals should involve all parts of the tennis community and leverage the USTA’s financial investment at the local level.  Matching funding is required from the applicant. It is expected that communities that receive this grant will become self-sufficient and not need USTA grants to operate in the future.
  (Approximate Range: $10,000 - $50,000)

National Contact: David Slade, Community Tennis Associations Manager, (914) 696-7241, slade@usta.com
Grant Amount: Varies
# Available: Varies
Date Apps Available: Varies
Date Apps Due Section: Application sent directly to USTA National with USTA Section and district letters of support
Date Apps Due USTA: Varies
Date Grant Awarded: Varies

NRPA/USTA Tennis in the Parks Initiative
Tennis in the Parks is a strategic initiative designed to assist any community eager to improve and expand opportunities for the public to play tennis.  The TIP Initiative has a three-pronged approach. 

First, TIP is focused on quality tennis programming from instruction, team tennis and league play to marketing and partnerships.

Second, TIP is focused on making sure that public tennis facility infrastructure is in optimum condition. 

Third, TIP is committed to ensuring the sustainability of tennis in the public park sector by developing an advocacy agenda to support master planning to include tennis, mounting bond referendum support for community projects that include tennis and building a network of local tennis advocates eager to reach out to local policy makers about the need and benefits of quality tennis programming and infrastructure. 

The TIP Initiative provides resources that add value to what a community is already doing to improve practice and delivery of quality tennis opportunities.  Tennis in the Parks resources include program material, on-court training guides, court construction and maintenance guides, scholarships to workshops, individual consultations with USTA representatives, eligibility for facility technical assistance which may lead to funding. 

National Contact(s): Karen Ford, USTA, National Manager, Tennis in the Parks, (914) 696-7230, ford@usta.com ; Jay Richardson,  NRPA, Program Manager, (703) 858-2163, jrichardson@nrpa.org
Grant Amount: Resources vary and come in the form of materials, consultations,and in-kind donations of equipment
# Available: Varies
Date Apps Available: Existing TIP agencies -Evaluation/Renewal process mid-September; New TIP agencies -- Pre-assessment forms available mid-October.
Date Apps Due Section: N/A
Date Apps Due USTA/NRPA: Pre-assessment and renewal forms are open year round, however, agencies that submit by February 29th will receive priority resources.  After Feb. 29th resources will be sent as supplies last.
Date Resources Awarded: Early Spring or as supplies last

NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay Contest
Answer the question: "Why is Arthur Ashe A Legend?" in 300 words or less. Education and public relations opportunity and a great way to show community leaders that NJTL is more than just tennis. Excellent education and public relations opportunity and a great way to show community leaders that NJTL is more than just tennis. Contest is open to all school aged children currently participating in registered NJTL chapter/program. To locate an NJTL near you, visit www.usta.com/njtl. 10 winners receive an all expense paid weekend trip to tour New York City and attend the Arthur Ashe Kids' Day.

National Contact: Valerie Chin, Outreach Coordinator, (914) 696-7160, chin@usta.com
Grant Amount: Plaque for Section Winner / All Expenses Paid Trip to AAKD for child + 1 chaperone for National winner
# Available: 1 Boy / 1 Girl; Ages:10/12/14/16/18
Date Apps Available: 1-Feb
Date Apps Due Section: N/A
Date Apps Due USTA: 10-Jul
Date Grant Awarded: First week in August

NJTL Tennis and Leadership Camp Scholarship
The USTA/NJTL Tennis and Leadership Camp provides an educational tennis experience for NJTL participants who chould not afford such an opportunity. The weeklong session emphasizes character and leadership development, good sportsmanship, physical fitness, proper nutrition,and other healthy attitudes. Tennis is the focus of the week; however, other activities are planned such as sightseeing, cultural, sporting, and social activities. Player must be a current NJTL participant; 12-14 years of age; within the JNTRP's skill rating level of 3.0-4.5; and whose family demonstrates a financial need.

National Contact: Valerie Chin, Outreach Coordinator, (914) 696-7160, chin@usta.com
Grant Amount: All Expenses Paid
# Available: Based on Section strength of active Chapter/ Programs
Date Apps Available: Late March
Date Apps Due Section: 18-May-07
Date Apps Due USTA: 25-May-07
Date Grant Awarded: Early June

USTA Serves Grants
www.usta.com/foundation

USTA Serves Foundation
Awarded to nonprofit organizations that support efforts in tennis and education to help disadvantaged, at-risk youth and people
with disabilities. Consideration is given to NJTL programs and those following "Aces for Kids" model.

National Contact: Ellen Del Colle, USTA Serves, (914) 696-7074, DelColle@usta.com
Grant Amount: Applicants may request specific amounts in their proposals
# Available: Varies
Date Apps Available: Online Year Round
Date Apps Due USTA: March 15 & October 15
Date Grant Awarded: May & December

USTA Serves Player Incentive Scholarships/Incentive Award
To encourage the development of USTA youth tennis program participants (18 years or younger) with great potential and a commitment to higher education. Scholarships are available to high school seniors and incentive awards are available to middle and high school students.

National Contact: Jackie Materasso, Foundation Coordinator, USTA Serves, (914) 696-7175, materasso@usta.com
Grant Amount: $500; nonrenewable, to be applied towards tournament fees, lessons, programs, etc.
# Available: Varies
Date Apps Available: November
Date Apps Due Section: 9-February
Date Apps Due USTA: 26- February
Date Grant Awarded: Late May

Dwight F. Davis Memorial Scholarship
Awards college educational scholarships annually to one high school senior who has excelled academically, participated extensively in USTA youth tennis programs, and who is entering a four-year college or university program to support the individual pursuit of excellence in academics and tennis.

National Contact: Jackie Materasso, Foundation Coordinator, USTA Serves, (914) 696-7175, materasso@usta.com
Grant Amount: $7,500
# Available: 2
Date Apps Available: November
Date Apps Due Section: 9-February
Date Apps Due USTA: 26-February
Date Grant Awarded: Late April

Dwight Mosley Scholarship
Available to high school seniors of ethnically diverse heritage who have excelled academically, participated extensively in USTA youth tennis programs, and who are entering a four-year college or university program. Applicants must demonstrate sportsmanship on and off the court.

National Contact: Jackie Materasso, Foundation Coordinator, USTA Serves, (914) 696-7175 materasso@usta.com
Grant Amount: $10,000; $2,500 per year, for 4 years
# Available : 2; 1 female, 1 male
Date Apps Available: November
Date Apps Due Section: 9-February
Date Apps Due USTA: 26- February
Date Grant Awarded: Late April

Eve Kraft Scholarship
This one-time only scholarship is being offered to two high school seniors, one male and one female, who have excelled both academically and in the sport of tennis and who reside in an economically disadvantaged community.

National Contact: Jackie Materasso, Foundation Coordinator, USTA Serves, (914) 696-7175 materasso@usta.com
Grant Amount: $2,500
# Available: 2; 1 female, 1 male
Date Apps Available: November
Date Apps Due Section: 9-February
Date Apps Due USTA: 26-February
Date Grant Awarded: Late April

USTA Serves College Education Scholarship
USTA Serves awards college educational scholarships annually to high school seniors who have excelled academically and participated extensively in USTA youth tennis programs. The scholarship is payable up to four years at $1,500 per year. If a recipient of a college education scholarship is enrolling in a two-year community college program, the recipient must prepare a written request for the scholarship to continue should the student transfer to a four-year college or university.

National Contact: Jackie Materasso, Foundation Coordinator, USTA Serves, (914) 696-7175, materasso@usta.com
Grant Amount: $6000; $1,500 per year, for four years
# Available: Varies
Date Apps Available: November
Date Apps Due Section: 9-February
Date Apps Due USTA: 26-February
Date Grant Awarded: Late April

USTA Serves Foundation College Textbook Scholarship
For high school graduates who have excelled academically, participated extensively in USTA youth tennis programs, and have demonstrated financial need.

National Contact: Jackie Materasso, Foundation Coordinator, USTA Serves, (914) 696-7175, materasso@usta.com
Grant Amount: $500; nonrenewable
# Available: Varies
Date Apps Available: November
Date Apps Due Section: 9-February
Date Apps Due USTA: 26-February
Date Grant Awarded: Late April

Marian Wood Baird Scholarship
For high school seniors who have excelled academically, demonstrated achievements in leadership, participated extensively in an organized community tennis program and entering a four year college/university program.

National Contact: Jackie Materasso, Foundation Coordinator, USTA Serves, (914) 696-7175 materasso@usta.com
Grant Amount: 15,000 ($3,750 per year)
# Available: 1
Date Apps Available: November
Date Apps Due Section: 9-February
Date Apps Due USTA: 26-February
Date Grant Awarded: Late April