USTA Foundation Receives $325,000 in 'Return the Serve' Grants

The USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), recently announced that more than 23,000 youth from under-resourced communities will have continued access to year-round tennis and education programming thanks in part to $325,000 in “Return the Serve” grants from longtime sponsor Chase. The funds will help support 13 chapters of the USTA Foundation’s flagship National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. Chase has awarded over $2 million to selected NJTL chapters in its 11-year collaboration with the USTA Foundation.   

Created in 1969 by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell, and Sheridan Snyder, the NJTL network aims to provide more than 150,000 under-resourced youth with access to free or low-cost tennis and educational programming, along with other opportunities to help them stay active, excel in school and develop essential life skills.

“Return the Serve Fun Day” events took place July 15-19 in eleven select markets, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Phoenix. This fun-filled celebration included high-energy tennis activities, off-court educational opportunities, and a healthy lunch for NJTL participants and their families. Local Chase branch locations also participated in each event to provide financial health lessons to participants of all ages.

Photo credit:  USTA Foundation.

These events come just days after JPMorganChase was honored with the Corporate Community Impact Award at the 2024 ESPYs for supporting the Foundation’s Return the Serve program. The award recognizes a corporation that uses the power of sports to help advance a social issue, cause or community organization.

“We’re thrilled to continue to support the Foundation’s Return the Serve program to bring valuable life skills to youth through tennis, as well as leverage the platform to instill financial literacy skills across communities,” said Kate Schoff, Managing Director, JPMorganChase.

“For eleven years, Chase has walked alongside us in our mission to bring tennis and education together to change lives,” said USTA Foundation CEO Ginny Ehrlich. “This generous support not only helps us make tennis more accessible but also gives students the opportunity to discover their passion, build self-confidence, and become more well-rounded individuals.”

The following NJTL chapters will receive a Chase Return the Serve grant:

●       New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) – Bronx, N.Y.

●       Kings County Tennis League – Brooklyn, N.Y.

●       Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program – Harlem, N.Y.

●       Love To Serve – Chicago

●       The ACE Project – Chicago

●       Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) – College Park, Md.

●       Dallas Tennis and Education Academy – Dallas

●       Sloan Stephens Foundation – Los Angeles

●       40 Love Foundation – Los Angeles

●       Youth Tennis Advantage, San Francisco

●       East Palo Alto Tennis & Tutoring – East Palo Alto, Calif.

●       PASS (Programs for After School Success) Kids – Phoenix

●       MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation – Jacksonville, Fla.

===

Source: USTA Foundation. Top Photo: USTA Foundation.