GRANT OVERVIEW

USTA Eastern will award, subject to approval of the Region Presidents, Participation Growth Incentive Grants and Start-Up & Expansion Program Grants to USTA organizational members that support tennis programming and infrastructure in their local communities or at their local tennis facilities.   

USTA Eastern seeks applicants within the USTA Eastern section that hold an USTA organizational membership that are committed to one or more of the following:

-New programs at all levels.

-Expanding existing programs at all levels.

-Increasing sustainable tennis participation in all programs and contributing to the "tennis boom" in alignment with the USTA Eastern section’s participation-based mission in 2014.

All USTA organization members including commercial clubs, new programs, well-established community based organizations, tennis facilities, or agencies dedicated to promoting and developing the growth of tennis, and fostering diversity with both participation and programming are encouraged to apply. USTA Eastern will award grants to selected USTA organizational members that present a clear vision and execution plan for achieving the goals and objectives set forth in their applications.

GRANT INFORMATION

Program/Project Support

Start-up or Expansion grant award: $1,000-$6,000

Start-up - These grants will help support organizational members start and develop new programming.

Expansion – These grants will help organizational members develop and grow their programs by adding additional programming opportunities.

Please note:  USTA individual membership is not a requirement for participation in all tennis programs.  The Start-up and Expansion Grants are designed to support and include grassroots efforts to promote and develop the growth of tennis. USTA individual membership and participation in USTA pathway programs should be promoted and encouraged by all applicants.

Participation Growth Incentive Grants (PGI):

PGI award:  $1,000 - $7,500

Applicants may submit an application seeking funding to support their general tennis programming, project and equipment needs. Programming must include one or more of the following USTA programs:

-Growing 10 and Under Tennis utilizing kid-friendly play format including tennis festivals, Play Days and Kids Clubs (FREE 10 and Under Tennis Membership should be encouraged.)

-Growing Jr. Team Tennis (non-advancing leagues or advancing leagues with membership)

-Growing USTA Eastern sanctioned tournament participation (for juniors or adults)

-Tennis on Campus

-Growing USTA Adult Leagues participation 

All grant recipients will be required to increase tennis participation and promote and encourage sustainable participation in the USTA Tennis Pathway.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

USTA organizational members residing in the USTA Eastern Section. Commercial Clubs are eligible for funding.

The USTA Participation Growth Incentive & Start-Up/Expansion Program Grants do not fund and cannot be made payable to:

-USTA Eastern Regions/Districts

-USTA Memberships

-Individuals

-Accountability:  All 2013 PISE grant recipients must have an accountability form on file for any grant funding received in 2013 to be eligible to receive funding in 2014 for the PISE grant.  Failure to submit an accountability form for the 2013 funding received may preclude your 2014 application from consideration.

TIMELINE FOR APPLICATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY FORMS:

Program/Project Support	Application Available	Application Due to USTA Eastern		Notifications	Accountability Forms
2014 Grant Participation Growth Incentive Grants & Start-Up / Expansion Program Grants	March 3	March 28 5:00 PM EST		May 2	December 5

GRANT REVIEW GUIDELINES:

Your application should be submitted in narrative format with the attached cover sheet.  Feel free to print this Grant Review Guidelines checklist and use it as a guide.

Organization supports/adheres to USTA Eastern’s mission and the objectives/priorities of the USTA Participation Growth Incentive Grants and Start-Up/Expansion Grants.

USTA Eastern’s mission is "to promote and develop the growth of tennis throughout the Section, which is New York, Northern New Jersey and Greenwich, CT." One of the ways USTA Eastern succeeds at meeting this mission is to grant funding to communities to promote and develop the growth of tennis at the local level.  Does your application align with the funding priorities of the Participation Growth Incentive Grant, Start-Up Grant, or the Expansion Grant?  

Clarity of explanation on how grant will contribute to goals, how funds will be used, and demonstration of need for support. 

Have you clearly explained what you are trying to accomplish with this program or project? Have you explained how you will spend the funding and is it reasonable? Have you described the activities and strategies that will take place to achieve goals and objectives?

Achievable goals and objectives
Each applicant should have clear goals and objectives that they are attempting to accomplish. Have you identified your goals and objectives? Are they clear and understandable and are they achievable? 

Organization history and program structure Please describe your organization or program structure.

Please provide a detailed program budget with budget narrative to support the budget.  Your program budget should reflect revenue in addition to listing itemized expenses in order to support sustainability and longevity of your project.  If you need a sample budget sheet, please contact your Tennis Service Representative.

Training and education of staff, volunteers, instructors/coaches, parents
Does your organization provide training? If yes, please describe.

Sustainability/ability to leverage USTA Eastern funding
Is it clear how your organization plans to sustain its programs and services financially? Do you have a plan beyond the grant year? Do you have a diverse base of funding? Has the organization received additional funding from the USTA, USTA Serves, USTA Eastern Region, Junior Tennis Foundation, and/or Eastern Adult Tennis Foundation? Are you seeking funding from other sources outside the USTA network? Are these other sources listed in the application?  Have you described how your participants will be moved into and along the tennis pathway including 10 and Under Tennis, Jr. Team Tennis, Junior Tournaments, Adult Leagues and/or Adult tournaments?

Evaluation of success and ability to replicate the project or program
How does the organization define success? (i.e. How many participants are impacted by your program?  How many participants will be produced as a result of your program? How do you plan to promote USTA membership and move these new players along the tennis pathway?) How will you measure effectiveness? Is it clear in the application? Have you listed the results you hope to achieve by the end of the funding period?

APPLICATION PROCESS:

The Grants application can be submitted using the online system only.  The application can be located at www.eastern.usta.com. Once the grant application has been reviewed, you will receive notification via email and US Postal mail regarding the acceptance or declination of your application.  This is an extremely competitive grants program and funding is limited.

ADDITIONALQUESTIONS:                                                                                                                                                             

All updated information related to the Grants Program will be posted at www.eastern.usta.com.  Potential applicants may also email grantsandscholarships@eastern.usta.com with further questions, or for assistance with the application process. 

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION:  March 28, 2014