By Nicholas J. Walz, USTAFoundation.com
The USTA Foundation has partnered with longtime US Open sponsor JPMorgan Chase & Co. to award 10 National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) programs with $10,000 each to go toward tennis and education programming. In addition, JPMorgan Chase will launch a nationwide Twitter campaign to award one NJTL program with an additional $10,000.
“The USTA Foundation is proud to join with JPMorgan Chase for this exciting opportunity to reward our NJTL programs,” said Dan Faber, Executive Director, USTA Foundation. “As we head into the US Open, this campaign generates an outstanding spotlight on these deserving programs for the work they do. We commend JPMorgan Chase for understanding the importance of integrating tennis and education and the positive impact it has on students around the nation. I look forward to continuing our mutual efforts of returning the serve.”
Kicking off on Aug. 16, JPMorgan Chase will launch a Twitter campaign using the hashtag #returntheserve. The NJTL program that secures the most mentions will receive the additional $10,000. The contest will conclude Sept. 7 and the winning program will be announced during JPMorgan Day at the 2014 US Open.
"The National Junior Tennis and Learning programs are touching many of the communities served by JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a meaningful way," said Dalila Wilson Scott, president of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation. "Exposure to physical activity and education can have a positive impact on the health and overall wellbeing of children, particularly those in underserved communities. We're proud to partner with the USTA Foundation to help expand the program's reach even further beyond the hundreds or thousands of youth already involved across the country."
The following NJTL programs will each receive a $10,000 grant and a chance to claim the bonus award:
- A's and Aces – New Orleans
- Booker T. Washington Community Service Center – San Francisco
- Dallas Tennis Association – Addison, Texas
- District 50 Education Foundation – Westminster, Colo.
- MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation – Jacksonville, Fla.
- New York Junior Tennis & Learning – Woodside, N.Y.
- Portland After-School Tennis & Education – Portland, Ore.
- LA84 Foundation SCTA NJTL – Los Angeles
- XS Tennis Academy - Chicago
- Zina Garrison Tennis Academy – Houston
In January 2014, the USTA Foundation combined with USTA NJTL, a national network of 630 community-based tennis and education programs serving more than 330,000 youth, to become a fully operational foundation.