USTA Foundation Raises $12 Million in Donations to Fund NJTLs
December 28, 2022
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., December 21, 2022 – The USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), raised $12 million in 2022, the second year of the Foundation’s “Rally for the Future” campaign. USTA Foundation President Kathleen Wu also announced that the campaign goal for Rally to the Future would be raised to a three-year total of $30 million by the end of 2023. After two years of the three-year campaign, Rally for the Future has exceeded its original $20 million goal, with more than $22 million raised since 2021.
“We are beyond excited to have met our original goal so soon and I’m optimistic that this new goal will be met, and possibly exceeded, by the end of 2023,” said Wu. “I’m humbled and grateful that the tennis community has stepped up with such enthusiasm and passion to help us change lives through tennis and education.”
More than $7 million of those donations have been utilized to provide support, services and funding for National Tennis & Learning (NJTL) chapters, which support under-resourced youth through free or low-cost tennis and education programs. Additional funds will continue to be utilized for ongoing programming including NJTL chapters, grants and scholarships. The USTA Foundation funded more than $435,000 in scholarships for 46 student leaders in 2022.
In 2022, the USTA Foundation launched its improved annual NJTL enrollment two months ahead of its historical timeline. The updated process will categorize chapters based on a set of criteria and is crucial for measuring performance outcomes as well as increasing the number of programs above 300. The USTA Foundation has impacted over 125,000 youth across the country in 2022, and will grow in 2023 through this improved enrollment process.
When it came to fundraising in 2022, $3 million of the year’s total was raised during the USTA Foundation Gala on Opening Night of the 2022 US Open, honoring Kevin Martinez and ESPN. The USTA Foundation Gala’s sponsors included ESPN, Jersey Mike’s, Cadillac, Chase, Rolex, Deloitte, and the USTA.
The USTA Foundation also received a $4 million donation from sponsor Jersey Mike’s through its fundraising campaign, with 20% of its nationwide sales from one weekend in September benefiting the USTA Foundation. USTA Foundation Chairperson Chris Evert was featured in the Jersey Mike’s commercials that touted their campaign.
The Rally for the Future fundraising campaign continues towards its $30 million target by 2023 to support planning and building the future strength of NJTL chapters.
“The impact that the USTA Foundation has made this year in local communities is incredible thanks to our sponsors, donors, Board Members, and the entire NJTL Network,” said Dan Faber, USTA Foundation Chief Executive. “The lasting influence of the NJTL programs is visible at every level, from local communities to collegiate programs and even on the pro tours.”
The USTA Foundation had many highlights in 2022 through these key programs, scholarships and collaborations, including:
To learn more about the USTA Foundation, please visit ustafoundation.com