USTA Foundation Campaign Reaches $10 Million in Donations for NJTLs
January 31, 2022
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., January 31, 2022 – The USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), raised more than $10 million in 2021, the first year of the Foundation’s three-year, $20 million Rally for the Future campaign. With approximately $6 million of those funds already distributed to support National Tennis & Learning chapters (NJTL) to 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 $441,000 in scholarships for 47 student leaders in 2021.
The USTA Foundation also experienced a 14% growth in NJTL chapters last year with 35 new NJTLs servicing 26,238 youth participants. This expansion brings the total number of NJTLs to more than 285 chapters in 42 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
“These NJTL chapters, along with the grants and scholarships awarded by the USTA Foundation, are life-changing for many children,” said USTA Foundation President Kathleen Wu who announced the Foundation’s most ambitious fundraising campaign last May. “The growth of these NJTL chapters indicate the importance of providing physical fitness, education and leadership opportunities for the next generation. We are grateful to the sponsors and donors who share and support our mission.”
More than $3 million of the 2021 tally was raised during the US Open through a record-breaking USTA Foundation Gala on Opening Night and through other fundraising efforts. The Rally for the Future fundraising campaign continues towards the $20 million target by 2023 to support planning and building the future strength of NJTL chapters.
“USTA Foundation sponsors, donors, board members, and the entire NJTL network rose to significant challenges in 2021 and exceeded all expectations. Most importantly, every NJTL chapter has continued to operate since the start of the pandemic two years ago,” said Dan Faber, Executive Director, USTA Foundation. “We are committed to building on our successes in 2022 with our Rally for the Future campaign to provide thousands of underserved children with essential support, physical activity, and academic support in communities nationwide.”
The USTA Foundation had many unique highlights in 2021 through these key programs, scholarships and endeavors:
In 2022, the USTA Foundation will expand on the success of year one of the Rally for the Future campaign and will continue to fund nationwide programs such as NJTL Excellence Teams, grants, scholarships, programming and much more. Additionally, South Florida and Southern California will be two priority markets with the Miami Outreach and the Carol Kimmelman Athletic and Academic Campus opening, respectively. Additional information on 2022 programs and initiatives to be announced throughout the year.
To learn more about the USTA Foundation, please visit ustafoundation.com.