Mission

We’re using the power of tennis to change lives. Founded in 1994, the USTA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the United States Tennis Association. We’re guided by the intrinsic belief that every child deserves the chance to author their best life story—but the reality is, not everyone gets a chance to do so. We’re on a mission to change that throughout the U.S. with the incredible combination of tennis and education. Countless studies show the benefits sports have for young people: not just on their physical health, but on their mental, social and emotional health—and the values they learn through sports are the building blocks for success at any age. But a staggering 70% of kids drop out of sports by age 13, and never unlock their full potential. These numbers are even more stark in under-resourced communities. Our flagship National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) program is inspired by legendary champion Arthur Ashe’s firmly-held belief that tennis is the world’s greatest teacher, and helps create pathways for young people to explore opportunities they may have never thought possible. Readiness is a key concept in tennis: A player can only excel and improve if they’re ready to receive the ball, and we use our sport as a vehicle to get young people ready for life. But we go beyond the game, too, by providing after-school programs, social and emotional learning opportunities, academic support, scholarships and grants—all of which can help mold them into well-rounded adults, who will positively enrich their families, communities, and the world.