USTA Commits Additional $5 Million Over Five Years
to Grow Local Tennis Through Micro-Grant Program
USTA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
USTA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Top: USD’s Oliver Tarvet celebrates a point during the SoCal Pro Series men’s singles final on his college courts.
Middle: Vithoontien and Tarvet after the men’s singles final.
Bottom: Lily Taylor and Aspen Schuman after the women’s singles final at the University of San Diego SoCal Pro Series.
(Photos – Lexie Wanninger/USTA SoCal)
USTA Grant Programs Now Total $15 million in Funding Opportunities to Support Grassroots Tennis
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) today announced the launch of a new micro-grant program aimed at growing tennis at the local level. The program includes a pledge of $5 million over the next five years further strengthening the USTA’s commitment to grassroots tennis programs. The new program and funding is in addition to $10 million in grant monies earmarked to significantly expand the USTA’s facility grant program that supports local tennis infrastructure, which was announced earlier this year.
“With demand for tennis at historic highs, these grants will give local coaches and programs the resources they need to expand their impact and grow participation. It’s a direct investment in the foundation of our 35×35 vision,” said Brian Vahaly, Chairman of the Board and President of the USTA.
The micro-grants, which range from $2,500 to $10,000 can cover a wide range of growth-related expenses, including new equipment as well as events and activations designed to promote the sport. Grants can also be used to create Community Tennis Associations (CTA) in areas that are currently not being served by a CTA. The grant program was designed to be accessible to as
many organizations as possible in order to impact the broadest segment of the tennis community.
Tennis is experiencing unprecedented growth and the USTA has a bold strategy to have 35 million people playing tennis in the United States by 2035. This program supports this effort by driving programming to grow tennis participation in local communities. Earlier this year, the USTA announced that tennis participation in the United States surged to a new high of 25.7 million players following five consecutive years of growth.
The grants are available to any USTA member organization and will be administered by the respective USTA Section and/or District based upon local priorities. The process for application and approval is streamlined and efficient to get funding in the hands of local providers quickly to grow local tennis programming faster and get more people on the courts enjoying the world’s healthiest sport.
The application went live on May 31 in celebration of the conclusion of National Tennis Month. Organizations are encouraged to apply here.
