Frances Tiafoe Fund Tops $1 Million Raised for Youth Tennis and Education

The Frances Tiafoe Fund has surpassed $1 million in total dollars raised, marking a major milestone in its mission to create opportunities for young people from under-resourced communities through tennis, education and mentorship.

The USTA Foundation announced the milestone Thursday, with Tiafoe celebrating the achievement by hosting a youth tennis clinic at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in his hometown of College Park, Md.

Launched in 2023, the Frances Tiafoe Fund supports the USTA Foundation and its National Junior Tennis and Learning network, a nationwide group of more than 270 community organizations that use tennis as a vehicle to prepare young people for the challenges and opportunities of life, both on and off the court.

Through 2026, the USTA Foundation’s Frances Tiafoe Fund expects to deploy more than $500,000 toward college scholarships, individual player grants and community program grants. Those efforts are designed to help students continue their tennis careers at the collegiate level, pursue academic goals, receive support for training, travel, equipment and educational needs, and gain broader access to tennis, mentorship and community-based programming.

Above: A look at Frances Tiafoe in Davis Cup action last year in Delray Beach. Photo credit: Mauricio Paiz.

"Reaching this milestone means so much because it's never been about the number–it's about the people behind it,” said Tiafoe. “Every young person we've been able to support, every family we've connected with, and every community we've invested in is what makes this all worth it. I’ve always believed that everyone deserves the chance to believe what’s possible when someone is in their corner, and I'm grateful to everyone who's believed in this mission and helped us get here. It’s only the beginning.”

The $1 million milestone reflects support from donors and corporate partners who have helped expand the fund’s impact through college scholarships, community program grants and individual player grants for students across the country. That support includes Tiafoe’s personal brand partners Clif Bar, which has funded the Fund since its inception, as well as Lululemon, UKG and La Roche-Posay.

“I'm grateful to Clif Bar for being with us since the Frances Tiafoe Fund was just an idea, and to Lululemon, UKG, and La Roche-Posay for joining us as this mission has continued to become a reality,” Tiafoe said. “Their commitment goes far beyond sponsorship; they've been true collaborators every step of the way."

The mission of the USTA Foundation is deeply personal to Tiafoe, who is a product of its programs. He began his tennis journey at age four at JTCC, where his father worked as head of maintenance after immigrating to the United States from Sierra Leone in 1996.

Above: Tiafoe on the move. Photo credit: Mauricio Paiz.

Tiafoe’s rise to the top of professional tennis serves as a powerful example of what access, support and opportunity can help create. A two-time US Open semifinalist who has been ranked inside the world’s Top 10, Tiafoe has used his platform to give back to the programs and communities that helped shape his career.

“What makes Frances such an extraordinary leader is that he authentically shows up - and uses his platform to inspire young people and create opportunities for them to achieve their dreams,” said Ginny Ehrlich, USTA Foundation CEO. “This milestone reflects years of meaningful partnerships, a shared purpose, and a commitment to making a lasting difference, and we’re excited to continue building on this momentum and reaching even more young people in the years ahead."

Founded in 1994, the USTA Foundation serves as the social impact arm of the USTA and provides the powerful combination of tennis, education and mentorship to prepare young people from under-resourced communities for the challenges and opportunities of life.

For more information about the Frances Tiafoe Fund or to make a contribution, visit ustafoundation.com/tiafoefund.

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Source: USTA Foundation. Video courtesy of USTA Foundation. Photo credit (top): Chris Krusberg/USTA. Photo credit (video thumbnail): Mauricio Paiz.

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