Program Support Grant

The USTA Florida Section Foundation Grant initiative provides financial support to organizations and entities working to promote tennis and expand participation in communities throughout Florida. The USTA Florida Section Foundation has served as the charitable arm of USTA Florida since 2004 and operates with a mission of "changing lives through tennis." The Foundation believes tennis can support healthy social, emotional, physical, and educational development while encouraging peer and family participation. Since 2005, the Foundation reports a community impact of more than $2,000,000 through assistance to community tennis associations, parks and recreation agencies, National Junior Tennis and Learning locations, tennis clubs, service organizations, schools, colleges, and other tennis entities. Program Support Grants are intended to strengthen community tennis programming and make tennis more accessible to people of different ages, skill levels, backgrounds, and abilities. Priority funding areas include youth tennis and adaptive tennis programs serving special populations of all ages, as well as under-resourced children and adults in economically challenged communities. The Foundation is particularly interested in programs that promote diversity and inclusion and help eliminate barriers to participation. Supported activities may include on-court instruction for athletes, additional instruction or training for providers serving uniquely enabled athletes, marketing, tennis equipment, and general program support. Certain expenses are specifically excluded from grant support. Funding may not be used for individual certifications, capital projects, travel expenses, scholarships, administrative salaries or wages, building, renovating, or maintaining tennis facilities, or USTA memberships and fees. Matching funds are not required. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to have additional funding sources that can contribute to the success of their programs. Program Support Grant awards vary according to the scope of the proposed program, with a maximum award of up to $15,000. Eligible applicants must operate programs that are open to the public and serve the community. Applicants must be a Florida nonprofit entity with a current USTA organizational membership, a public school, or a park and recreation site. Applications must demonstrate a broad base of community support, address a compelling community need, and align with the Foundation's priority funding areas. For programs involving youth, individuals interacting with athletes must be SafePlay approved. The person submitting an application must also be authorized to apply for and accept grant funding on behalf of the eligible organization. An organization may apply for only one grant every other year, and organizations that received a grant in 2025 are not eligible to apply again until 2027. Applications and required attachments must be submitted online through the Foundation's Submittable grant management system. Required application materials include the organization's EIN number or the school's UEI number; SafePlay certificates for each applicable staff member when working with youth; copies of evaluation tools; an IRS letter of Determination of Tax Status; IRS Form 990 or applicable tax documents; a W9; a current list of officers and members of the Board of Directors; an organizational operating budget; and program budget information. The grant portal is accessible through the Apply for Grants page at www.USTAFloridaFoundation.com/apply-for-grants. For 2026, the Spring Cycle runs from February 24 through May 14, while the Fall Cycle runs from August 3 through October 20. Applicants are advised to allow approximately four to six weeks for application review and to plan submissions so that funding or equipment can be received by the program start date. Grant award notifications are delivered by email through Submittable within approximately 30 to 45 days after an application is received, although timing may vary based on application volume or the need for additional information concerning an incomplete submission. All grant recipients must complete an Accountability Report addressing program successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Instructions for accessing and completing the report are emailed to grantees near the end of their programs, and an Accountability Report guide is available in the Application Resources section of the Foundation's website. Questions regarding Foundation grants may be directed to Jeffery Lato, Sr. Director Section Foundation Operations, at info@ustafloridafoundation.com. The Foundation's general contact information is 12005 Performance Drive, Orlando, FL 32827, telephone (407) 982-2971, and email info@ustafloridafoundation.com.

Demonstrate a broad base of community support and a compelling community need; align the program with youth tennis, adaptive tennis, special populations, and under-resourced communities where applicable; ensure applicable personnel are SafePlay approved when serving youth; plan submission timing around the 4-6 week review period so funds or equipment can be received before the program starts.