Scholarship and Grant Opportunities through USTA
USTA Middle States is pleased to offer a variety of grant opportunities to both individuals as well as community based organizations throughout the section. Whether you are a junior aspiring to be the next US Open champion, a recreational player looking for financial support to attend college, or a growing organization looking to enhance your program offerings to the community, the following list of grants will guide you in your pursuit.
Community Organizations/Programs
Diversity/Multicultural
National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL)
Events/Workshops
Junior Players
College Tennis
USTA Serves Grants
Community Organizations/Programs Grants
2009 USTA Middle States Program Grant:
USTA Middle States is committed to promoting tennis at the local level. To that end, USTA MS offers grants to assist organizations initiate or expand their community tennis programming. Program grants may be used to start community tennis programs and/or leagues for players of all ages, abilities and populations.
Please read the following documents prior to working on online application:
- ALL grant applicants, please click here for the program grant guidelines.
- For grant requests in excess of $1,000, please click here for requirements and grant narrative instructions.
After you have reviewed the guidelines and narrative instructions, please click here for online completion of the program grant application.
All grant recipients must complete a Grant Accountability Form and return upon completion of your program. Click here for form.
NOTE: Online completion has replaced the former paper grant application. All applications must be submitted online as of 2/1/08.
For questions regarding the USTA MS Program Grant, please contact: Renee Bridges.
USTA Community Funding Grant
Available to Community Tennis Associations registered with the USTA and classified as an IRS 501c(3) nonprofit organization or have a fiscal agent. Two types of grants are awarded: Project/Program Support and Organizational Capacity Building Support, in three funding areas: Tennis Program Development, Marketing & Promotion and Training & Education.
NRPA/USTA Tennis in the Parks Initiative
Tennis in the Parks is a strategic initiative to increase both access to quality public tennis facilities and opportunities for the public to enjoy tennis. The purpose of this initiative is to assist park and recreation agencies to promote lifelong healthy activity and improve their programming by advancing the latest tennis innovations for all program types.
Public Facility Funding
The USTA Public Facility Funding program is part of the second focus of the Tennis in the Parks Initiative. To be eligible, public agencies/facilities must complete the TIP Initiative pre-assessment or evaluation/renewal forms. This grant requires an additional, more comprehensive application to be completed, after the online TIP pre-assessment or evaluation/renewal forms have been accepted.
USTA Plan for Growth - Tennis Industry Association
Adult Coop Funding Program -- Growing Tennis 50/50. The TIA/USTA will offer matching advertising/promotional dollars to attract new adult players.
Contact Ben Zislis
Diversity/Multicultural
Althea Gibson Leadership
For consideration, the player must be a high school student between the ages of 14 and 18 and ranked inside the Top 100 in the USTA rankings (at the section or national level in his or her age category) or have an ITF, ATP or WTA ranking. To apply, a player must submit a brief essay explaining how he or she embodies the tenacity, courage and leadership qualities demonstrated by Althea Gibson.
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.
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.
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.
Community Outreach Grant
Funding available to programs that provide tennis programs to underserved communities.
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.
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.
National Junior Tennis and Learning
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.
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.
Events / Workshops
USTA Community Tennis Development Workshop Scholarships
Community Tennis Development Workshop (CTDW) scholarship application is currently posted online at www.usta.com/cta. All individuals associated with a registered CTA and/or NJTL are eligible to apply. We plan on awarding one (1) – two (2) CTA affiliated scholarships per Section. The award consists of one (1) workshop registration and two (2) nights hotel.
All registered CTAs will be emailed later this week alerting them of the application; however it does not hurt for you to pass this along to any noteworthy CTA leaders in your Section. The application is due Monday, November 3rd at 5:00 pm EST
Contact Ben Zislis
USTA MS Camp Scholarship
Eligible junior applicants can receive a scholarship to attend a local tennis camp.
Contact Kitty Perrin
NJTL CTDW Scholarship
Available to NJTL Chapter/Program Leaders who have demonstrated continued excellence in youth programming. Only one person per active chapter/program is eligible to attend. .
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.
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.
USTA Serves Grants
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
Junior Players
Individual Player Grants
Provide funding to competitive junior players aspiring to achieve district, sectional, national and/or international rankings.
- Funding will be based on need, commitment, sportsmanship and purpose of funds requested.
- Must be training and competing in tournaments year round.
Click here for Junior Training Grant.
Click here for Junior Competition Reimbursement Grant.
Financial aid is given to eligible junior applicants to attend local Area Training Center.
Contact Mike Kennedy
USTA MS College Day Scholarships
Eligible junior applicants can receive a scholarship to attend the annual College Day held within the section or their respective district.
Contact Mike Kennedy
USTA MS Camp Scholarship
Eligible junior applicants can receive a scholarship to attend a local tennis camp.
Contact Kitty Perrin
College Tennis
Tennis on Campus Start-Up Grant- Rec Sports Department
Start-up grant available to college recreation and intramural professionals (recreational sports directors, intramural directors, club sport directors, etc.) to start a new Tennis On Campus program on their campus. Applicants apply on NIRSA website by clicking here.
Tennis on Campus Start-Up Grant- Varsity Assisted
Start- up grant available for varsity coaches to start a new Tennis On Campus program on their campus. Click here for more information.
Campus Recreation Special Activity Grant
Grant available for hosting a promotional tennis event or activity designed to create awareness and initiate registration in Tennis On Campus programs. Click here for more information.