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 up to $2000 for 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 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 July 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 SCTF is available on request in advance of the deadline. Please contact Amy Franklin director@sctpf.org with questions.

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on July 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 

Other Grants or Public Support                                   $     200

Corporate Sponsors (4 @ $200)                                  $     800

Individual Contributions                                              $     400

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

Participation Fees (15 children @ $10)                        $     150

Participation Fees (15 children @ $20)                        $     300

CTA/Program Contribution                                          $     200

TOTAL INCOME                                                       $  4,050

 

Expenses:

Promotion                                                                 $    150

T-shirts (40 @ $5)                                                     $     200

Equipment (rackets, balls and nets)                            $     650

Professional instructors (2 x 20 hours x $40/hr.)           $  1,600

Assistant instructors (4 x 20 hours x $10/hr.)               $     800

Snacks and refreshments                                           $    150

Pizza Party and prizes                                                $    250

Awards                                                                      $    200

Miscellaneous                                                            $      50

TOTAL EXPENSES                                                   $  4,050

 

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.