Frequently Asked Questions

All funding requested via the grant application process must be directly tied to specific program expenses, with the actual amount awarded to be solely determined by the Growth Catalyst Fund Panel.  The maximum amount per application is $200,000. The Panel may choose to award less than the full amount requested. There is no limit on how many grant applications a Section can submit, and there is no minimum or maximum funding guarantee per Section. Please note that 1st applications from each Section will be given priority over 2nd or 3rd applications from another Section. 

Yes. Grant applications must provide for the long-term financial sustainability of a project, therefore staffing support will be considered where a clear plan exists to continue to fund the position once grant funding has been exhausted. For projects or initiatives that include additional staffing, funds will be allocated toward staffing expenses as follows:

  • Year one: 75% of staffing expenses to be funded by the grant and 25% by Section

  • Year two: 50% of staffing expenses to be funded by the grant and 50% by Section

  • Year three: 100% of staffing expenses to be funded by Section

Other cost sharing models may be considered by the Panel as requested by the Section. Please note that this grant only applies to engaging new staff and cannot be used to supplement the salary and benefits of an existing position.

Yes; any grant application submitted on behalf of, or in partnership with, a District, facility, program, or industry partner must be made via its respective Section. Should a facility, program, or industry partner already be receiving funding from the USTA (e.g., an NJTL through the USTA Foundation), the Growth Catalyst Fund Panel will take into consideration the amount already being provided by the USTA. 

 

Note on Facilities: Projects should apply for all facilities funding via Tennis Venue Services, after consolidation of facility funding in early 2025. If the TVS application includes elements over and above basic facilities work – construction, resurfacing, equipment – the application will be referred to the GCF Review Panel for consideration. No additional GCF application is required.

Yes, Sections may apply for multi-year support. In cases where a multi-year request is approved, funds will be distributed on a year-to-year basis rather than as a lump sum award.

Yes, Sections may collaborate to submit a combined application for a shared initiative. These combined applications will be subject to the same Standards, Terms, and Conditions as all applications, including the $200,000  maximum. Section applications may not be combined to exceed the maximum.

No, Sections should not submit multi-purpose applications. Each project or initiative should have its own individual application with clearly articulated funding uses, and accordingly, Sections may submit multiple applications.

Projects should apply for all facilities funding via Tennis Venue Services, after consolidation of facility funding in early 2025. If the TVS application includes elements such as ownership and operating efforts, or other elements over and above basic facilities work, the application will be referred to the GCF Review Panel for consideration. No additional GCF application is required.

No, consistent with the USTA’s mission, grant funding must be applied to tennis programs and initiatives only. In the event that a provider or facility is involved in both sports, grant funding may only be applied to the tennis-specific portion of the operation, as solely determined by the Growth Catalyst Fund Panel.