The South Carolina Tennis Foundation offers grants to facilitate programs that increase access to tennis for all, including (but not limited to) children who are “At Risk” in South Carolina, as well as adults or children with physical and/or intellectual challenges.

• Organizations may apply for one-time grants of $1,000 to $5,000 for at-risk youth programs that will be conducted during the grant year.
• Organizations may apply for one-time grants of $1,000 to $2,000 for youth or adult adaptive or wheelchair programs that will be conducted during the grant year.  

Applicants who receive these grants are eligible for a second-year award of up to 50% of the first-year grant providing they plan to continue the program, submit an acceptable Accountability Form for the first year's grant, and provide an acceptable budget for the second year’s grant. Organizations that have received a grant in the previous year must wait one year before applying again.

Specific Guidelines:

1. Grant awards will be made to organizations, which could include CTAs, City and County Parks and Recreation Departments, JTT leagues, schools, churches, civic clubs, or others.  This does not preclude an individual from being the program organizer/manager, however, no funds will be administered to an individual.
2. Grants may be awarded for kids at risk programs, diversity programs, school-based programs, NJTL programs, wheelchair programs, adaptive programs, etc. 
3. Programs must be designed to continue for at least one year after SCTF funding ends.
4. Programs must incorporate a pathway for interested participants to progress into other tennis programs.
5. Programs may not pay individual tennis instructors over $40/hour.
6. A budget for the coming year must be attached to Applications and first year Accountability Reports.  Budgets should include revenues from all sources, including participant fees, as well as expenditures, including salaries, stipends, court fees, equipment and supply costs, refreshments, prizes, and other amenities.  In-kind contributions should also be included. 

Applications must be received no later than
5:00 PM on March 31.

Evaluation Process:

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of overall program quality, the clarity and consistency of your explanations and budget, a demonstrated need for funding, the availability of other funding or in-kind support, your plans for continuity and stability, the number of participants the program will impact, the availability of a pathway for progression to other tennis programs or activities, your plans for program evaluation, and compatibility with the USTA mission and teaching methods. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

ALL Applicants must be Net Generation Safe Play Approved.

Guidance and consultation from SCTF is available on request in advance of the deadline. Please contact Amy Franklin amy@sctennisfoundation.org with questions.

             Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on March 31.

                            Budget Example

Notes:

1. All participant and dollar numbers are examples only.
2. Use your own numbers.
3. Income and expense totals should equal.
4. All numbers must be realistic, reachable and maintainable.
5. This example is for the following program:
   1. 40 children (10 who can’t afford to pay, 15 who can pay a little and 15 who can pay more)
   2. Operated 1 hour per day
   3. Five (5) days per week
   4. Four (4) weeks in duration

 

Income:

SCTF Grant (amount applied for)                                 $ 2,000.00 

Other Grants or Public Support                                    $ 200.00

Corporate Sponsors (4 @ $200)                                  $ 800.00

Individual Contributions                                                $ 400.00

Participation fees (10 children on scholarship @ $0)   $ 0

Participation Fees (15 children @ $10)                        $ 150.00

Participation Fees (15 children @ $20)                        $ 300.00

CTA/Program Contribution                                           $ 200.00

TOTAL INCOME                                                          $ 4,050.00

 

Expenses:

Promotion                                                                    $ 150.00

T-shirts (40 @ $5)                                                        $ 200.00

Equipment (rackets, balls and nets)                             $ 650.00

Professional instructors (2 x 20 hours x $40/hr.)          $ 1,600.00

Assistant instructors (4 x 20 hours x $10/hr.)               $ 800.00

Snacks and refreshments                                             $ 150.00

Pizza Party and prizes                                                  $  250.00

Awards                                                                          $  200.00

Miscellaneous                                                               $  50.00

TOTAL EXPENSES                                                      $  4,050.00

 

List the value of in-kind donations separately below. In-kind donations may include equipment, snacks/food, volunteer hours, advertising/promotion, court time, etc. Basically, if your program receives donated tangible services or products that would normally cost money you should list it below as an in-kind donation. Listing in-kind donations helps show you may have more resources or value in your program than appear in your budget and also acts as a mark of credibility by showing other people or organizations support your program.