News

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — USTA Serves, the philanthropic and charitable entity of the United States Tennis Association, announced today that it has awarded 26 grants in its 2010 spring funding cycle, totaling $301,000.

The bi-annual granting process, a national initiative of USTA Serves, was developed to provide disadvantaged, at-risk children the opportunity to learn to play tennis and improve their academic skills in a structured format, and to help combat childhood obesity by promoting healthy lifestyles. To date, USTA Serves has disbursed $10 million to a variety of programs that share those aims.

At funded program sites, children between the ages of 5-18 learn about healthy nutrition and lifestyles, responsible citizenship, study skills, and computer literacy. The grants, chosen by a Grant Proposal Review Committee comprised of Foundation board members and USTA national staff, with important input from USTA sections, are awarded to programs that successfully combine tennis and education and help children pursue their goals and highest dreams by leading healthier lives, succeeding in school and becoming healthier citizens.

“USTA Serves is excited to continue investing financial and other resources to help support organizations that believe in the powerful combination of tennis and education to help change lives. We applaud the expertise, commitment and passion for tennis and education that these organizations have shown to the children and people with disabilities whom they serve,” said Deborah Slaner Larkin, Executive Director, USTA Serves. “Our goal is to support as many programs as possible and we look forward to our next grant cycle when we’ll hear from even more programs.”

The following programs were awarded 2010 spring grants by USTA Serves: