Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

Yes, applications are now available in Spanish using the Google Translator feature located on the grant application.

Yes, all grantees are required to complete an Accountability Report, noting successes and challenges experienced and lessons learned.  Notification with instructions on how to access the report online will be emailed to grantees nearing the end of their program. Download a sample report here.

Grant applications are accepted and reviewed during the two grant cycles:

February 1 – April 30 (CLOSED)
August 1 – October 20 (OPEN)

Application grant portals will close at 11:59:59 PM ET.

Grants applications are reviewed, approved, and processed as soon as they are received. Notification of a grant award can take up to 60 days depending on the volume of applications received. We highly recommend starting and submitting your application as soon as possible if your program is time sensitive.

Yes, an organization may apply for more than one grant if the subsequent grant request is for a new program, or expansion of an existing program due to extremely rapid growth, or, for an existing program starting up at a new site for which additional assistance is necessary.

No, matching funds are not required; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to have additional funding sources to ensure the project’s success.

Funding is made possible by generous donations from individuals, corporations and foundations, along with the revenue from the Play Tennis! specialty license plate and RoundUp App. All Floridians are encouraged to show support of tennis with an individual Play Tennis! license plate or by rounding up their change to be the change via the RoundUp App.  For more information, please visit the Get Involved section of our website.

Equipment Grants FAQs

The Foundation provides tennis equipment grants to help fund eligible tennis programs throughout Florida communities by providing discounted equipment through Head Penn.

Applicants must be a Florida non-profit entity, public school, or a park and recreation site with a USTA organizational membership and SafePlay approval, if working with youth. Additionally, the individual submitting the grant application on behalf of an eligible entity must also be authorized to apply for and accept grant on behalf of the applying organization. 

Equipment grants provide tennis equipment for youth tennis, Junior Team Tennis, Masters Tennis, adaptive and wheelchair tennis programs for special populations of all ages and tennis programs promoting healthy, active lifestyles.

Most grants are in the $500 – $2,500 range.

All grant applications must be submitted online. Complete the application thoroughly and input the required program budget.

Program Support Grant FAQs

The Foundation supports charitable non-profit organizations as designated by the IRS or government entities such as schools and parks and recreation sites. Since 2005, USTA Florida Foundation has had a community impact of over $2 million by assisting community tennis associations, parks and recreation agencies, national junior tennis and learning locations, tennis clubs, service organizations, schools, colleges, and many other tennis entities.

Applications must be for programs from entities that have a current USTA organizational membership, have a broad base of community support, meet a compelling need in the community and align with the Foundation’s priority funding areas. Applicants must be a Florida non-profit entity with a USTA organizational membership, public school or a park and recreation site.  If working with youth then those interacting with the athletes must be SafePlay approved. Additionally, the individual submitting the grant application on behalf of an eligible entity must also be authorized to apply for and accept grants on behalf of the applying organization.

Our grant priorities include youth tennis, adaptive and wheelchair tennis for special populations of all ages and underserved children and adults in economically challenged communities.

Eligible Items That Will be Funded:

Examples: instruction for athletes on-court, further instruction/specialized training for providers serving uniquely enabled athletes, local marketing efforts, tennis equipment, and general program support.

Ineligible Items That Will NOT be Funded:

Examples: certification of individuals, capital projects, travel expenses, scholarships, administrative salaries/wages, the building, renovation or maintaining of tennis facilities, or USTA memberships and fees.

Grant amounts vary widely depending on the scope of the program requesting funding. The maximum program support grant is $10,000.

Grant applications and the required attachments must be submitted online. It is required that you upload your IRS Letter of Determination, most recent IRS Form 990, current list of Officers and Board of Directors, current organizational Operating Budget, and Program Budget.

Wheelchair Grant FAQs

The Foundation supports charitable non-profit organizations as designated by the IRS and government entities such as schools and parks and recreation sites bring grassroots wheelchair tennis programs to fruition.

Applications must be for wheelchair tennis programs from entities that have a current USTA organizational membership, have a broad base of community support, meet a compelling need in the community and align with the Foundation’s priority funding areas. Applicants must be a Florida non-profit entity with a USTA organizational membership, public school or a park and recreation site.  If working with youth then those interacting with the athletes must be SafePlay approved. Additionally, the individual submitting the grant application on behalf of an eligible entity must also be authorized to apply for and accept grants on behalf of the applying organization.

Our grant priorities include programs that place an emphasis on wheelchair offerings that attract new players to the sport, as well as youth, adaptive and under-resourced athletes in economically challenged communities.

Eligible Items That Will be Funded:

Examples: instruction for athletes on-court, wheelchair focused instruction/training for providers, tennis equipment, tennis wheelchairs, local marketing efforts, and general program support.

Ineligible Items That Will NOT be Funded:

Examples: certification of individuals, capital projects, travel expenses, scholarships, administrative salaries, the building, renovation or maintaining of tennis facilities, or USTA memberships and fees.

Grant amounts vary widely depending on the scope of the wheelchair program requesting funding. The maximum program support grant is $10,000.

Grant applications and the required attachments must be submitted online at www.USTAFloridaFoundation.com.  It is required that you upload your IRS Letter of Determination, most recent IRS Form 990, current list of Officers and Board of Directors, current organizational Operating Budget, and Wheelchair Program Budget.

Do you have any questions about applying for grants or additional funding opportunities?