USTA Florida and the USTA Florida Section Foundation, along with assistance from the United States Tennis Association, have organized tennis provider support initiatives that will infuse a total of $360,000 into tennis facilities and programming across the state of Florida as the sport collectively fights back from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The application process for these facility recovery grants will open on Monday, May 4, 2020.
The overarching goal of this assistance is to provide immediate relief, spur the industry’s recovery, and help rebuild the tennis ecosystem once tennis programming resumes. The USTA Facility Recovery Grant is intended to assist public tennis facilities reopen their facilities for play and programming once it is possible and consistent with local, state and federal guidelines, after closing due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the grants is to help defray some of the tennis related costs associated with reopening. These grants are not provided to cover lost income, dues or lost revenue while closed due to the pandemic.
Florida assistance available:
- USTA allocation: $260,000
- USTA Florida Section and USTA Florida Section Foundation match: $100,000
- Total funding: $360,000
“These grants are just one of many pieces of the tennis puzzle, and a small part of the numerous ways that USTA Florida and the Foundation ‘develop the game of tennis for all’ and ‘change lives through tennis’ in Florida,” said USTA Florida Volunteer President Clark Higgs. “By getting tennis players out on the courts again, it ensures that the foundation of the sport will continue and that the game remains visible to both its players and fans alike.”
Funding will be determined based on whether the facility meets certain qualifications, and the funding level will be based in part on the number of courts at the facility. Facilities must have four courts or more to be considered. Facilities must also be open to the public for play and programming. For more details on the conditions that need to be met, click here.
“All tennis facilities have had a tremendous revenue impact during this unprecedented time, and the USTA and USTA Florida, through its Foundation, want to help,” said USTA Florida Section Foundation President Donn Davis. “The USTA Facility Recovery Grant program is designed just for this purpose and it cannot come soon enough. Let’s get everyone safely back on the courts.”
Facility applicants who meet qualifications can apply for the reopening grants at www.USTA.com/facilityrecovery. Applications will be evaluated in the order in which they are received. The deadline to apply is June 12, 2020. Anyone in need of assistance during the application process can contact Alexis Johnson, Executive Director of the USTA Florida Section Foundation, at johnson@ustaflorida.com.
ABOUT USTA FLORIDA
Established in 1949, USTA Florida is a section of the United States Tennis Association. It is a not-for-profit volunteer organization with approximately 40,000 members, 500 organizational members and a $5 million budget. As the official governing body of tennis in Florida, USTA Florida operates from an executive office in Orlando, with more than 30 staff members and more than 600 volunteers throughout the state working towards a mission to promote and develop tennis for all in Florida. To learn more about USTA Florida visit www.USTAFlorida.com.
ABOUT THE USTA FLORIDA SECTION FOUNDATION
With a mission of “Changing Lives through Tennis,” the USTA Florida Section Foundation provides financial support to organizations that help people of all ages and abilities improve their health and quality of life through the great game of tennis. Since 2005, The USTA Florida Section Foundation has had a community impact of more than $1,600,000 through equipment and financial support for community tennis programs throughout Florida. To learn more about the USTA Florida Section Foundation visit www.USTAFloridaFoundation.com.
