Building the Next 100 Years of Tennis

USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation believes that tennis creates community. Tennis allows people to improve their physical health and wellness, mental development, social skills, teamwork, sportsmanship and so much more. The benefits of tennis are especially important for helping young people become active and healthy adults. And for 100 years, the mission to grow the sport has endured and is more important than ever.

However, the cost of tennis lessons, camp fees, or equipment can add up and become a barrier to accessing the sport. To help defray the costs associated with tennis, USTA Mid-Atlantic offers Junior Player Scholarships for applicants at every level of the sport. These scholarships are made possible by the generous gifts and donations from our tennis community. And the need in the tennis community is apparent with application submissions increasing significantly each year.

In 2021, USTA Mid-Atlantic introduced the Summer Smash Fundraising Challenge with proceeds benefiting the Junior Player Scholarship. This year, the goal was to raise $10,000 to help make more scholarships for youth tennis players available, thus provide the opportunity for them to develop a love and appreciation for the sport.

YOU SMASHED THE GOAL!

The 2023 Summer Smash Fundraising Challenge raised $16,250, exceeding the goal set. Additionally, of the Mid-Atlantic community members that participated, 74 percent were new supporters. 

Adding to this year’s success was a generous matching gift provided by an anonymous donor. This match was for first time Summer Smash donations or for increased gifts by those who participated in the 2022 Summer Smash Fundraising Challenge. This matching gift was critical to the overall success of the fundraising challenge and ability to smash the goal set. As evidenced by the increase in new supporters and numerous repeat supporters who increased their donations in 2023, this matching gift motivated and inspired everyone.  

Congratulations to the following teams for raising the most money in the 2023 Summer Smash Fundraising Challenge:

1st Place: Heritage High School Boys & Girls Tennis Team led by Jennifer Parker

2nd Place: Tennis Angels led by Kelly Stanley 

3rd Place: Junior Scholarship Fundraising Team led by Amy O’Brien 

4th Place: Tynika Wilson

The top four teams who raised the most money had a chance to pick from an amazing list of prizes. The prizes included: 

• A Mubadala Citi DC Open Experience: Included 15 tickets for the team to attend the 2023 event in Washington D.C.

• Boar’s Head Resort: A two hour clinic for up to 8 players and beverages for after the clinic at Three Notch’d Brewery in Charlottesville. 

• Dave Marshall Tennis Camp: A two hour clinic for up to 8 players in Rehoboth Beach  with a $25 Tennis Warehouse gift card. 

• Wintergreen Resort: A two hour clinic for up to 8 players with team apparel from Thirty Love.  

USTA Mid-Atlantic is grateful for the generosity and support of all who participated in the 2023 Summer Smash Fundraising Challenge, and our generous anonymous donor especially during this special Centennial year. 

While the 2023 Summer Smash Fundraising Challenge is over, you can still make a gift to support scholarships and other programs in the Mid-Atlantic. Your gift can increase access to tennis so everyone, especially those in marginalized communities, can experience the benefits of the sport for the next 100 years. 

Together, we continue to create community through tennis for all now and for the next 100 years!  

To stay up to date on all things tennis in the Mid-Atlantic make sure to follow USTA Mid-Atlantic on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

USTA Mid-Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the region and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being.