The USTA Florida Foundation, which closed out 2020 by granting approximately $80,000 back into the Florida grassroots tennis community, has announced its first 2021 grant cycle for applications from Feb. 1-April 30.

The giving arm of the USTA Florida Section, the Foundation returns 90% of the annual contributions it receives from the “Play Tennis!” license plate directly back into the Florida tennis community, primarily through local grassroots community program grants.

USTA Florida Foundation grants in 2020 were awarded to:

Boca Raton — Boca Raton Elementary School, Physical Education Class Equipment, $1,503.56
Escambia County — equipment for Special Olympics Florida programs, $398.20
Escambia County — equipment for Special Olympics Florida programs, $88
Jacksonville — MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, Camp Dynamite, $8,400
Jacksonville — MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, MWYF Tennis Equipment, $2,475
Fort Lauderdale — Junior Developmental, $5,662
Fort Lauderdale — City of Fort Lauderdale Adaptive Tennis/Wheelchair Program, $4,150
Fort Lauderdale — City of Fort Lauderdale, Equipment for Junior Developmental Program, $2,000
Hillsborough County — equipment for Special Olympics Florida programs, $176
Marion County — equipment for Special Olympics Florida programs, $383.90
Marion County — equipment for Special Olympics Florida programs, $69.30
Naples — Greater Naples YMCA, Equipment for Junior Tennis Program, $2,481.60
Ocoee — Posh Rock Tennis Foundation, $9613.55
Ocoee — Posh Rock Tennis Foundation, PRTF Equipment Distribution, $2,497.00
Orlando — The School Board of Orange County, OCPS high schools equipment, $2,499
Orlando — The School Board of Orange County, OCPS middle schools equipment, $2,495
Orlando — The School Board of Orange County, OCPS elementary schools equipment, $2,495
Palm Beach Gardens — Love Serving Autism at Palm Beach Gardens Tennis & Pickleball Center, $3,835.71
Palm Beach Gardens — Palm Beach Gardens Wheelchair Tennis, $6,585.57
Pensacola — Tennis-4-Everyone, Facility award for new construction of four 36′ courts and one full-size with blended lines, $10,000
Plantation — Love Serving Autism at Frank Veltri Tennis Center, $3,136.25
St. Augustine — Osceola Elementary School, PE equipment for grades Pre-K-to-5, $245.30
St. Petersburg — Mo Tennis Coaching, Equipment for Fun Intro to Tennis, $950
Zephyrhills — The Sarah Vande Berg Foundation, School Partnership Program, $6,212.42

In addition to the current Feb.1-April 30 grant window, a second grant cycle in 2021 will open from Aug. 1-Oct. 31.

“We know many under-resourced, adaptive, and wheelchair programs across the state have struggled to resume because of the pandemic,” said USTA Florida Section Foundation Executive Director Alexis Johnson. “We want them to know that we’re here and ready to assist them as they resume play, so we hope they will apply for the help they need and allow us to be a part of their growth in 2021.”

The USTA Florida Foundation provides financial support to organizations that help people of all ages and abilities improve their health and quality of life through the game of tennis. The foundation grants offer funding for youth tennis programs, adaptive tennis programs for those with special needs, community tennis programs in economically challenged areas, along with facility assistance in the renovation, refurbishment and building of quality public tennis facilities.

Since 2005 the USTA Florida Section Foundation has awarded more than $1,750,000 in grants for tennis programs serving people of all ages and abilities throughout Florida.

To support Florida recreational grassroots tennis with a “Play Tennis!” license plate go to playinflorida.com/play-tennis. To apply for a grant or learn more about the USTA Florida Foundation go to ustafloridafoundation.com/apply-for-grants.