10 Community Tennis Orgs. Receive $10K in Grants from USTA Florida Foundation

Ten community tennis organizations received community tennis grants totaling more than $10,000 in the month of August from the USTA Florida Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association-Florida Section (USTA Florida).

Recipients of grants were organizations in Coconut Creek, Daytona Beach, Deland, Gainesville, Orlando, Ormond Beach, Pembroke Pines, Tallahassee, and Wellington.

USTA Florida Foundation grants offer funding for youth tennis programs, adaptive tennis programs for those with special needs, community tennis programs in economically challenged areas, along with facility assistance in the renovation, refurbishment and building of quality public tennis facilities.

The Gainesville Area Community Tennis Association was one recipient of $2,500 for tennis equipment for the GACTA’s 21st CCLC Elementary School tennis program in Alachua County.

“Thank you so much for this support on expanding our 21st CCLC grant to six low-performing elementary schools in low-income areas of Gainesville,” said GACTA Executive Director Addison Staples. “We are confident that this program will help grow tennis in Gainesville as well as positively change some lives in the process.”

Another recipient was Southwestern Middle School in Deland which will use the equipment grant to support both their middle school club program and play at pre-schools.

“Middle school clubs begin the second week of September,” says organizer Janet Raney. “However, my previous tennis club students have already been meeting. I met with both preschools this summer and the little ones are so excited to be playing tennis.”

Since 2010, USTA Florida and the USTA Florida Foundation have awarded more than $1,000,000 in grants for tennis programs serving people of all ages and abilities throughout Florida.

USTA Florida Foundation grants in August:

Coconut Creek — Everlasting Love Tennis Enterprises
Grant: Equipment grant for Family Day at Wolk Park Tennis Center and for continued play in the after-school programs.

Daytona Beach — Florida Tennis Center
Grant: Equipment grant for the 10 and Under tennis program.

Deland — Southwestern Middle School
Grant: Equipment grant for youth tennis programs and expansion to introduce tennis to your younger students.

Gainesville — Gainesville Area Community Tennis Association
Grant: Tennis equipment for the GACTA 21st CCLC Elementary School tennis program at six under-performing elementary schools in Alachua County.

Orlando — Lake Nona YMCA
Grant: Equipment to add tennis instruction to the current after-school activity offerings.

Ormond Beach — KidsConnection, Tomoka Elementary School
Grant: Equipment to be used in the Kids Tennis Club program at the school.

Ormond Beach — Little Blessings Preschool
Grant: Equipment grant for the After School Tennis Club/10U Tennis Program.

Pembroke Pines — Pines Lakes Elementary School
Grant: Equipment grant for tennis in Physical Education classes.

Tallahassee — Jumpstart Tennis
Grant: Equipment grant for the mobile Youth Tennis Program to be delivered at several locations in Tallahassee.

Wellington — Wellington Tennis Center
Grant: Equipment for growing the after-school program at the site’s new tennis courts.

The USTA Florida Foundation’s mission is “Changing Lives Through Tennis,” providing financial support through organizational grants that help Floridians of all ages and abilities improve their health and quality of life through the game of tennis. It is the USTA Florida Foundation’s belief that tennis provides opportunities for healthy social, emotional, physical and educational development, and encourages peer and family participation.

For more information on individual grants or for more information on the USTA Florida Foundation go to www.ustafloridafoundation.com.