Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders & Foundation Donors, Supporters and Stakeholders:
The USTA released a statement regarding COVID-19 being transmitted via tennis balls. Please click here to read the statement.
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October 5, 2020
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders:
This summer we issued a second survey to our NJTLs, in order to gauge the overall posture of the Network. We received 200 responses, which we utilized to create the 2020 USTAF COVID-19 Survey Memo (updated August 2020).
View the report summary here.
SafePlay Compliance is required for all NJTL staff and volunteers who have regular, ongoing in-person or virtual contact with minors. As a reminder, an annual training is required and refreshed background check every two years in order to be compliant. Please verify your SafePlay compliance status here.
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August 4, 2020
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders:
The application for Cycle 2 of Program Grant Funding will close on Monday, August 10, 2020 at 11:59 pm ET.
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
Recipients of grant funds from Cycle 2 may utilize the Program Grant funding to support emergency operational needs.
Thanks to all of the NJTL chapters for completing the updated COVID-19 survey. In the urgent needs section, we noticed many comments regarding items that are acceptable and can be written into your funding request. Requests may include items such as tennis equipment, PPE, technology (tablets), virtual program delivery expenses, and/or platforms. We recommend not more than 25% of your total request to fund any one of the aforementioned items. Please email foundation.grants@usta.com for any questions pertaining to the scope of your ask or application.
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July 10, 2020
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders:
The application for Cycle 2 of Program Grant Funding opened on July 8, 2020 and will close on August 10, 2020 at 11:59 pm ET.
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
Recipients of grant funds from Cycle 2 may utilize the Program Grant funding to support emergency operational needs.
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June 26, 2020
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders:
The USTA Foundation's Cycle 2 of Program Grant Funding will be open to all registered NJTLs (Network Member through 4-Star levels) on July 8, 2020, and close August 10, 2020, at 11:59 pm ET. The USTA Foundation will maintain flexibility on the use of these funds to support in-person or virtual programming and/or emergency operational needs.
Completion of an updated COVID-19 survey will be a requirement to be eligible for funding consideration. Each enrolled NJTL's primary contact received an individual link to complete their new COVID-19 survey earlier today. If you did not receive your link or need further assistance, please email foundation.grants@usta.com.
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June 12, 2020
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders:
As communities reopen across the country, the USTA Foundation is excited to share a new marketing campaign from the USTA that supports the industry's rebuild efforts, which launched yesterday.
The goal is to drive interest in tennis and inspire action to get out on the court. After several months of shelter-in-place, people are searching for ways to get out and get active. We know tennis is the perfect activity -- it lets you keep your social distance without being socially distant.
This is one more way we are helping to service the industry to get tennis back on top.
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders:
The USTA has created a "Playing Tennis Safely" poster, featuring safety guidelines and recommendations for players. As restrictions begin to lift, we ask that you display the poster around your facility and post it on your website.
Due to COVID-19, the following Excellence Program activations have been canceled.
- 6/14/20-6/14/20: USTA All-American College Combine
- 6/23/20-6/26/20: Wild Card Playoffs for National Clay Court & National Championships at USTA National Campus
- 7/30/20-8/2/20: 2020 NJTL Excellence Teams Cup
- 9/9/20-9/12/20: US Open Excellence Cup
At this time, the HBCU Combine, tentatively scheduled for 9/19/2020, may still be held; however, we will not have a nomination process for stipend funding this year.
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders:
The USTA Facility Recovery Grant is intended to assist Tennis Facilities (that are open to the public for play and/or programming) reopen their facilities when it is possible and consistent with local, state, and federal guidelines, after closing due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tennis Facilities that have a membership are qualified to apply but must be open to the public for play and/or programming.
The purpose of the grant is to help defray some of the tennis-related costs associated with the reopening in 2020. The grants are not intended to cover lost income, dues or lost revenue while closed due to the pandemic.
Examples of qualified tennis expenses associated with reopening include:
- Tennis balls and teaching equipment (i.e., tubes, carts, hoppers)
- Cleaning or sanitizing supplies or services (i.e., disposable gloves, disinfectant, cleaning equipment)
- No Touch Items (i.e., scanning software, automatic)
- Other tennis-related expenses associated with reopening to the public
Criteria for facilities to be eligible for the grant:
- Tennis facilities with 4 or more courts
- Facility must have closed due to the impact of COVID-19
- Acknowledgement and agreement of non-discrimination practice and policy
- Good standing with local, state and federal regulations
- Open to the public for play and/or programming
- Teaching pros are Safe Play compliant or agree to become compliant within ninety days of Grant Award
- Other criteria at the discretion of the review team
There is $5 million in Facility Recovery Grant funding available to eligible facilities and we anticipate that there will be more qualified applications than funds available. Applications will be evaluated by USTA and Section staff in the order in which they are received. The deadline for applying for these grants is June 12, 2020.
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April 22, 2020
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders & Foundation Donors, Supporters and Stakeholders:
The USTA believes it will be possible for people to return to playing tennis safely in some cities and states sooner than others. Please click here to read the "Playing Tennis Safely" guidelines<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(38, 50, 56);"> for players and facilities.
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders & Foundation Donors, Supporters and Stakeholders:
The USTA has extended the suspension of all USTA-sanctioned products and events through May 31, 2020. Please click here to read the USTA's updated statement about the suspension of events.
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April 4, 2020
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders & Foundation Donors, Supporters and Stakeholders:
Based on the recommendations of the USTA COVID-19 Advisory Group, the USTA believes that it is in the best interest of society to take a collective pause from playing the sport we love. Please click here to read the full USTA statement on safety of playing tennis during the COVID-19 pandemic.
18-time Grand Slam Champion and USTA Foundation Chairperson Chris Evert recently spoke with Vogue's Corey Seymour about the transformation of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center into a temporary field hospital and commissary to assist New York City's response to the pandemic, and recent cancellation of Wimbledon. Click here to read the interview.
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April 2, 2020
Dear NJTL Leaders:
The situation surrounding COVID-19 has caused untold challenges and hardships for business owners, NJTL chapters, operators and staff alike. We assure you that the entire Tennis Industry is uniting to support you through this difficult time.
A way to provide support is to direct you to governmental funding opportunities that are rapidly coming on-line as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Reach out to your financial institution to see what options are available to you. Starting on Friday, April 3, 2020, 501(c)(3) organizations with 500 or fewer employees will be able to apply for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program provision of the CARES Act. SBA expects many small businesses and nonprofits to apply, so eligible organizations should reach out to their banks and begin preparing their applications now to attempt to avoid long waits and processing periods.
We will soon offer webinars to answer the most frequently asked questions. Our first webinar, Financial Management in Crisis, will take place on Tuesday, April 7 from 3:00 - 4:00 PM EST. More information to follow on how you can attend as well as future dates for additional webinars.
To stay updated with Tennis Industry United, click
here for more information.
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April 1, 2020
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders & Foundation Donors, Supporters and Stakeholders:
New York City is among the hardest-hit places in the United States, and construction has begun on building a 350-bed hospital facility at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the home of the US Open. Please click
here to learn more about the transformation and
here to read the USTA's statement on the cancellation of 2020 Wimbledon.
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March 23, 2020
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders & Foundation Donors, Supporters and Stakeholders:
The USTA has extended the suspension of all USTA-sanctioned events through May 3, 2020. Please click here to read the USTA's updated statement about the suspension of events.
Thomas S. Chen
President
Daniel J. Faber
Executive Director
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March 20, 2020
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders & Foundation Donors, Supporters and Stakeholders:
The health and safety of the USTA Foundation family remain the top priority and is at the center of the actions we take. It is our duty to our students, employees, communities, and partners to inform and help reduce the transmission of COVID-19. We would like to take this opportunity to address our day-to-day operations and thank you for being an integral piece of our national network.
The USTA Foundation is working across our offices and with our National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) chapters nationwide to properly examine what is best for each region and associated programs to ensure safety. Our strategy will remain guided by the expert opinions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), governmental bodies, and medical experts.
After thorough review and consideration, the USTA and USTA Foundation have taken the following steps to protect our staff, NJTL chapters, and the tennis and education community:
- USTA has suspended all USTA-sanctioned events at this time.
- USTA Foundation chapter programming is postponed until further notice.
- All USTA Foundation staff is currently working remotely until it is rendered safe to return to our offices and all staff travel has been postponed.
- The USTA and USTA Foundation continue to keep employees connected and up to date with information to stay healthy.
- The USTA Foundation is here to support chapters the best way we can. The staff is currently evaluating a number of mechanisms to do this, and will hold a series of virtual town hall meetings to understand the needs of the network starting next week.
The USTA and USTA Foundation are dedicated to monitoring and staying on top of this ever-evolving situation in order to make the most informed decisions possible in regard to safeguarding our staff, volunteers, and everyone with a passion for the great sport of tennis, and education.
We thank you for your continued compassion and commitment during this time and encourage you to stay connected with us across our social platforms. Please visit our website for more timely updates.
Thomas S. Chen
President
Daniel J. Faber
Executive Director
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March 13, 2020
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders & Foundation Donors, Supporters and Stakeholders,
Please click here to see the USTA's statement about the suspension of events.
The USTA Foundation is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation and its impact on programs. It stands ready to assist Foundation applicants and grantees in the coming weeks and months. For those of you with concerns about current or pending grants connected to activities that are canceled or postponed, we encourage you to keep us informed and we will do our best to navigate this process together.
Thank you all for the work you are doing under these challenging and evolving circumstances.
To our valued donors and supporters, we appreciate your support during this trying time. We are working with our Board of Directors and staff to develop a comprehensive and ongoing communication plan for the NJTL Chapters and our supporters. We anticipate this plan to begin the week of March 23. Check back here for continued updates.
Thomas S. Chen
President
Daniel J. Faber
Executive Director
Dear NJTL Chapter Leaders