Grant Categories and Guidelines

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2020 GRANT CATEGORIES AND GUIDELINES

Due to the COVID-19 impact on our network, USTA Foundation has adjusted 2020 Grant Guidelines. The application for Cycle 2 of Program Grant Funding opened on July 8, 2020 and closed on August 10, 2020 at 11:59 pm ET. Recipients of grant funds from Cycle 2 may utilize the Program Grant funding to support emergency operational needs.

In order to make the most informed funding decisions, the USTA Foundation is now requiring completion of a second COVID-19 survey, which was sent to all enrolled NJTL Chapters. To request the COVID-19 survey, please contact foundation.grants@usta.com.

In order to be in compliance with the USTA Foundation's NJTL Network enrollment requirements, and eligible for funding, the Executive Director along with any staff or volunteer whose activities involve regular contact or authority over a minor athlete participating in that NJTL's activities or programs, must fulfill and maintain throughout their time with the NJTL, the requirements of the USTA Safe Play Program. This includes completing annual athlete safeguarding training, acknowledgment of the USTA Safe Play Policy and reporting procedures, and a criminal background screen every year.

The Safe Play process can be completed at www.usta.com/safeplay. Please click the "Get Safe Play Approved" or "Check Your Status" buttons and log into your USTA account. If you are Safe Play approved, the system will display your three expiration dates. If you are not currently Safe Play approved, you will be prompted to complete the required steps.

Please note, any potential grant funding will not be provided until compliance with the USTA Safe Play Program is complete.

PROGRAM GRANTS

Cycle 1: Application opened on March 2, 2020; Closed on April 6, 2020*.

Cycle 2: Application opened on July 8, 2020; Closed on August 10, 2020 at 11:59 pm Eastern.

Network Member, 1-Star, & 2-Star Chapters
If funded in Cycle 1, eligible to apply for up to $15,000
If not funded in Cycle 1, eligible to apply for up to $25,000

3-Star & 4-Star Chapters
If funded in Cycle 1, eligible to apply for up to $20,000
If not funded in Cycle 1, eligible to apply for up to $40,000

Start-up grants to small chapters that “may” be awarded for two years to provide continuity. TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.

EXCELLENCE PROGRAM GRANTS

Individual Player Grants
Open to the entire network via a competitive nomination process. Amounts range from $1,000 - $5,000. CLOSED.

Coaching Education Grants
Open to the entire network via a competitive nomination process. Amounts range from $1,000 - $2,500. TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.

Excellence Team funding is now segmented between “Excellence at $25,000” and “Development at $15,000” based on criteria shared with the teams in early 2019 and decisions made in collaboration with Player Development.

For more information about Excellence Program Grants, please contact Sean Holcomb-Jones at
sean.holcomb-jones@usta.com.

OTHER GRANTS

USPTA Grants
Due to the COVID-19 impact on our network, the USPTA Fund, within the USTA Foundation, is offering grants up to $2,500 for support of certified coaches in NJTL chapters. To be considered for a grant from the USPTA Fund, NJTL chapters must employ USPTA certified tennis coaches. Interested parties should email foundation.grants@usta.com to access the application. Inquires must be submitted by 5:00 pm ET on Friday, July 17, 2020.

Transportation Grants
Up to $25,000 in the expenditures to support a chapter’s need for transportation, which further supports the participation of under-resourced youth in tennis and education programming. Transportation grants will not support repairs or other operational expenses such as maintenance, insurance, salaries, and licenses. TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.

*Subject to change annually

The USTA Foundation believes in giving back, in supporting programs that utilize tennis and education to build brighter futures and more vibrant communities. To date, we have awarded more than $47M in grants to hundreds of programs, benefitting thousands of youth throughout the country.

The USTA Foundation awards grants to programs that support underresourced youth through tennis and education programs designed to improve health, build character and strive for academic excellence. Priority is given to enrolled NJTL chapters that offer formal educational curricula, such as A.C.E., improved tennis delivery and implementation of USTA products.

The Foundation’s main strategic priorities include grants supporting enrolled NJTL chapters in developing strong, sustainable organizations. The formal star levels system was refined with more rigorous criteria to create consistency across the NJTL network. To view the NJTL Star level Criteria, click here.

Funding preference will be given to enrolled NJTL organizations that demonstrate alignment with USTA Foundation’s Youth and Organizational frameworks. To view the Youth Development Framework, click here.

*Organizations that received a Program Grant or National, Southern or Southern California Capacity Building Grant at year-end 2019 are not eligible to apply until March 2021.

Other Grants
- Capacity Building Grants – Not currently open to new Chapters.
- Excellence/Development Team Grants – By invitation only.
- Player Development Collaborative Grants – By invitation only.