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USTA Awards $1 Million + in Grants in 2010

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — USTA Serves, the National Charitable Foundation of the United States Tennis Association, announced today that it has awarded 33 year-end grants totaling $420,650. The number of program grants awarded in 2010 was 59, totaling $855,150. Combined with scholarship awards, USTA Serves distributed more than $1 million in 2010.

The bi-annual granting process, a national initiative of USTA Serves, was developed to provide people with disabilities and disadvantaged, at-risk children in underserved communities the opportunity to learn to play tennis and improve their academic skills in a structured format, and also to help combat obesity by promoting healthy lifestyles. To date, USTA Serves has disbursed more than $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 grant recipients are chosen by a Grant Proposal Review Committee comprised of Foundation Board Members and USTA National staff, with important input from USTA Sections. They 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. The current year-end grants include one award supporting the children of deployed military personnel who are at particular risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties, and four adaptive awards granted to organizations that teach people with disabilities the importance of physical activity and life skills.

“USTA Serves is excited to continue investing financial and other resources to support organizations that believe in the powerful combination of tennis and education,” said Deborah Slaner Larkin, Executive Director, USTA Serves. “We are proud of each organization’s expertise, commitment and passion, and commend them for making an impact in the lives of the people they serve.”

The following programs were awarded 2010 year-end grants by USTA Serves:

1. Abundant Waters, Inc., New York, N.Y.
2. A’s & Aces, New Orleans, La.
3. Azleway, Inc., Tyler, Texas
4. Boston Inner City Youth Tennis Program, Dorchester, Mass.
5. Boys & Girls Clubs of Camden County, Inc., Camden, N.J.
6. Boys & Girls Club of Martin County, Inc., Hobe Sound, Fla.
7. CREATE Tennis, Inc., Washington, D.C.
8. Ethel Walker School, Inc., Simsbury, Conn.
9. Harlem Junior Tennis Program, Inc., New York, N.Y.
10. Harper for Kids, San Francisco, Calif.
11. Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Inc., Orlando, Fla.
12. HERO, Inc., Purchase, N.Y.
13. I Have a Dream Foundation of Boulder County, Boulder, Colo.
14. International Rescue Committee, Inc., San Diego, Calif.
15. KIPP Endeavor Academy, Kansas City, Mo.
16. Latin American Youth Center, Washington, D.C.
17. MACH Academy, Inc., Augusta, Ga.
18. Mentoring USA, Inc., New York, N.Y.
19. New York Junior Tennis League, Woodside, N.Y.
20. Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund, Waterloo, Iowa
21. Our Military Kids Inc., McLean, Va.
22. Portland After-School Tennis & Education, Inc., Portland, Ore.
23. Project Lovematch, Inc., Saddle River, N.J.
24. Reach for College Inc., Washington, D.C.
25. Rodney Street Tennis & Tutoring Association, Wilmington, Del.
26. Say Yes to Education, Inc., Syracuse, N.Y.
27. Sportsmens Tennis Club, Inc., Dorchester, Mass.
28. Tennis for Charity, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio
29. United Neighbors, Inc., Davenport, Iowa
30. University of Akron, Akron, Ohio
31. Up A Break, Inc., Marietta, Ga.
32. Youth Tennis Advantage, Oakland, Calif.
33. Zina Garrison All Court Tennis Academy, Houston, Texas

USTA Serves, the National Charitable Foundation of the USTA, provides financial support for disadvantaged youth and people with disabilities through tennis and education programs designed to improve health, build character, teach life skills and motivate students to strive for academic excellence. For more information on USTA Serves, visit ustaserves.com.

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level — from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization with 750,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, and launched the Olympus US Open Series linking 10 summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns the 90-plus Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., is a minority owner and promotional partner of World TeamTennis, and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. USTA Serves, the National Charitable Foundation of the USTA, provides financial support for disadvantaged youth and people with disabilities through tennis and education programs. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com.

Posted on January 25, 2011
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