Funding and Support

2010 GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

• 2010 Community Tennis Grant: For starting or expanding community based tennis programs and activities. Two grant types are available in 2009: Project/Program Support and Organizational Capacity Building. Funding amounts range from $250 - $3,000, depending on size of the organization and scope of the project. 2010 grant deadlines are as follows: December 1, 2009; February 1, 2010; April 1, 2010; June 1, 2010 and August 1, 2010. Grant review typically takes about one month. Additional funding cycles may be added. Contact Becky at Cantellano@northern.usta.com for more information.
  
• USTA Public Facility Assistance: The USTA provides a variety of resources to facilities looking to renovate existing facilities or build new ones. These include: advocacy assistance, concept drawings, construction & maintenance manual, partial funding on a proved projects, access to USTA partners within the industry, programming assistance for maximum court utilization, and more. Interested organizations must complete a Tennis Inquiry Form located online at www.usta.com/technical . This form can be completed at anytime during the year. Contact Becky at Cantellano@northern.usta.com for more information.
  
• USTA Recreational Tennis Grant: Funding for well established CTA’s, schools, parks, NJTL Chapters and other community-based organizations that are committed to increasing tennis participation and fostering diversity within programs. For those organizations that have submitted applications in previous years for the USTA Community Funding Grant and/or Outreach grant, those grants have been discontinued and will be replaced by this grant opportunity. Two types of grants available: $2,500 to $10,000 for Program Support and $10,000 to $50,000 for Community Partnership Investments. Contact Becky at Cantellano@northern.usta.com for more information.
  
• USTA Northern Adopt a Court Grant: This grant supports tennis court renovation and construction at parks, schools, and college campuses throughout the section. Priority consideration is given to organizations that wish to incorporate permanent QuickStart tennis courts into the facility. Contact Becky at Cantellano@northern.usta.com for more information. There are three types of grants available including:
          * Category I: For basic facility improvements and fixed court amenities (e.g. windscreens, backboards, fencing, lighting, permanent QuickStart lines). Maximum grant award is $2,500 and must be matched dollar for dollar by local community. 
          * Category II: For reconstruction/renovation of facilities with less than 4 courts. Maximum grant award is $5,000 or 10% of project cost (whichever is less).
          * Category III: For new construction and reconstruction of facilities with 4 courts or more. Maximum grant award is $10,000 or 10% of project cost (whichever is less).
  
• Event Donations:   USTA Northern recognizes the importance of community involvement and tries to participate in the many charitable events organized by our tennis family each year. Community organizations may request in-kind support by completing a Donation Request Form . We will do our best to support your event with a reasonable donation provided it meets our giving guidelines. Requests must be received at least six weeks prior to the event date. Contact Becky at Cantellano@northern.usta.com for more information.

• Visiting Pro Program: USTA Northern offers communities the chance to connect with a visiting pro for special events and programming. All USTA Northern Visiting Pros are trained professionals with certification by the USPTA or PTR. Community organizations have the option of hiring a visiting pro for a fee or can apply for a complimentary pro by submitting a Donation Request Form at least six weeks prior to the event date. Below are some sample events that a visiting pro might be secured for: 
       · Tennis Block Party – free or low-cost events aimed at attracting new and lapsed players to the courts, used to market follow-up tennis programs, typically occur during Tennis Month (May)
      · Tennis Clinic - for a specific audience on a specific topic (i.e. Adult Doubles Clinic), a participant fee is typically charged by the host organization 
     · Facility Grand Opening – tennis clinic/activities organized at a new or renovated court site in celebration of successful fundraising efforts
  To see bios on the USTA Northern Visiting Pros, click here.  Contact Becky at Cantellano@northern.usta.com for more information.

  Additional USTA Northern support may become available throughout the year. If you are unsure about whether or not funding is available to support your goals, please contact Becky at Cantellano@northern.usta.com or 952-358-3291.
  

•     USTA Northern QuickStart Equipment Match Grants: USTA Northern offers a buy one-get one free program on QuickStart Tennis Equipment for CTA’s, Parks, and NJTL programs. Maximum grant allowed is $300/$300 split between USTA Northern and the organization. Organization coaches must attend a Recreational Coach or QuickStart Tennis Workshop. This opportunity will be available for a limited time in spring 2009. Contact Becky at Cantellano@northern.usta.com for more information. Wilson is the Official Equipment Match program sponsor.
  
• Workshop Scholarships: Interested in becoming a better coach, a more effective board member, or a better facility manager? Consider attending one of the USTA training workshops and conferences available to you (see Training Opportunities section of guide). Both national and sectional scholarships are available for many events. Contact Hayley Shibley at shibley@northern.usta.com for more  information.

  CTA US Open President's Suite Ticket Program: USTA Northern invites all Community Tennis Associations who are undertaking major fundraising campaigns to participate in the US Open President’s Suite ticket program. Three communities in Northern will be awarded a pair of invitations to be the guest of the USTA President during one of the first four days of the US Open. The CTAs will have an opportunity to use those invitations (tickets) locally to generate funds for a capital project. For more information, please contact Becky Cantellano at cantellano@northern.usta.com or at (952) 358-3286.
  
• USTA Tennis Block Party Marketing Grant: Funding for event advertising purposes such as the creation and distribution of event posters, flyers, postcards, web banners, event banners and print ads or media buys to promote the Tennis Block Party. To apply, please click here . For additional information, please contact Lisa Mushett at Mushett@northern.usta.com .

• USTA Northern School Tennis Equipment Match Program: Participating schools are eligible for buy one-get one free discounts on school tennis equipment (racquets, balls, mini-nets). Training and curriculum materials are also available for PE teachers and after-school program organizers. Contact Tony Stingley at Stingley@northern.usta.com for more information.
  
• Growing Tennis 50/50 Co-op Funding: Receive up to $2,500 in matching advertising/ promotional dollars from the Tennis Industry Association and United States Tennis Association to attract new Adult & Junior players to your club. Facility must be TIA member and registered Tennis Welcome Center. Application materials available at www.growingtennis.org .
  
• USTA Serves "Aces for Kids" Grant: "Aces for Kids" is a national initiative of USTA Serves. It strives to promote healthy lifestyles by combating childhood and adult obesity by providing disadvantaged, at-risk children the opportunity to learn to play tennis and improve their academic skills in a structured format. All programs requesting USTA Serves support must offer the components of tennis and education.
  
• Multicultural Excellence Program Grant: Provides funding to competitive junior development programs that are training youngsters aspiring to achieve national and/or international rankings. Funding is based on number of players with sectional and national rankings in a specific program. Must be a year-round program that provides a high level of on-court instruction and off-court training opportunities. Must have a history of developing tournament level players. Grants are typically in the $5,000 - $15,000 range. Deadline is December 31, 2009 to USTA Northern.
  
• Tennis on Campus Start Up Grant: USTA is a proud partner of NIRSA in offering up to $750 per college/university for the purpose of developing a new USTA Tennis On Campus coed league or Sport Club. More information available at www.nirsa.org . Grants available for spring and fall programs.