The South Carolina Tennis Foundation offers grants to facilitate programs that increase access to tennis for all, including (but not limited to) children who are “At Risk” in South Carolina, as well as adults or children with physical and/or intellectual challenges. Organizations may apply for one-time grants of up to $2000 for Wheelchair and/or Adaptive programs that will be conducted during the grant year. Applicants who receive these grants are eligible for a second-year award of up to 50% of the first-year grant providing they plan to continue the program, submit an acceptable Accountability Form for the first year’s grant, and provide an acceptable budget for the second year’s grant. Organizations that have received a grant in the previous year must wait one year before applying again.
Specific Guidelines
- Grant awards will be made to organizations, which could include CTAs, City and County Parks and Recreation Departments, JTT leagues, schools, churches, civic clubs, or others. This does not preclude an individual from being the program organizer/manager, however, no funds will be administered to an individual.
- Grants may be awarded for wheelchair programs, adaptive programs, etc.
- Programs must be designed to continue for at least one year after SCTF funding ends.
- Programs must incorporate a pathway for interested participants to progress into other tennis programs.
- Programs may not pay individual tennis instructors over $40/hour.
- A budget for the coming year must be attached to Applications and first year Accountability Reports. Budgets should include revenues from all sources, including participant fees, as well as expenditures, including salaries, stipends, court fees, equipment and supply costs, refreshments, prizes, and other amenities. In-kind contributions should also be included.
Applications must be received no later than 5:00 PM on July 31.
Evaluation Process
Applications will be evaluated on the basis of overall program quality, the clarity and consistency of your explanations and budget, a demonstrated need for funding, the availability of other funding or in-kind support, your plans for continuity and stability, the number of participants the program will impact, the availability of a pathway for progression to other tennis programs or activities, your plans for program evaluation, and compatibility with the USTA mission and teaching methods. Incomplete applications will not be considered.