The Tennessee Tennis Patrons Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization under Tennessee law with federal tax-exempt status. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors and assisted by volunteers, all of whom support and promote the growth and development of tennis in Tennessee.
Because the future of the sport of tennis relies upon the development of junior players who compete in the USTA tournament structure, the foundation offers financial assistance which encourages Tennessee athletes to compete in the USTA junior competitive system.
The foundation's Junior Player Financial Assistance Policy incorporates the following requirements and features.
a. Who: Tennessee residents who participate in the junior competitive tournament structure and who compete in the 18, 16, 14, and 12 and Under age divisions. Players must agree to participate in Tennessee and Southern team events and Tennessee Qualifier events. Financial assisance is limited to a junior player whose family income does not exceed $99,000 per year. We request you upload a copy of your family's most recent federal income tax return. We will not share or save the tax return. Applicant must have a Southern ranking of Top 200 when his/her application is submitted.
b. What: $500 grant to cover the costs incurred by the athlete and his/her family to participate in sanctioned junior tournaments. Acceptable costs include fuel, hotel, and meals costs, and tournament entry fees. A junior player may receive one $500 grant per year and is required to submit documentation of the cumulative expenses which equal $500 in one report.
c. When: Although the foundation accepts applications and makes decisions on a rolling application basis, the foundation encourages applicants to submit applications by May 1 of each year.
d. How: Submit the following online application which will be decided within thirty days after its submission. Grant funds will be paid when the family submits a request for funds and documentation which equals or exceeds $500. Documentation should include receipts, invoices, and proof of payments along with a written explanation of the expense item and its relation to a junior tournament.
e. Expectations: The foundation expects its awardees to demonstrate high standards of sportsmanship and competitiveness, give back to the sport and his/her community, and articulate in writing and verbally the impact of the financial assistance on his/her playing experience. The foundation expects its awardees to attend functions it hosts which recognize the awardees and to participate in publicity opportunities.
f. Sportsmanship: Any player who: accumulates four or more penalty suspension points during a calendar year; is suspended during the calendar year; or whose parent/guardian is suspended during the calendar year will become ineligible for financial assistance.