As 2016 draws to a close, USTA.com is taking a look back at the top storylines, headlines and highlights from the year in American tennis. Visit our Year in Review homepage to see our complete Top 10.
By Ashley Marshall, USTA.com
The goal of the USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the USTA, is to serve up dreams for those in need. In 2016, it did so like never before.
As the year comes to a close, the Foundation remains on track to meet its three-year goal of raising $15 million to support tennis and education programs that serve under-resourced youth as well as tennis programming for individuals with disabilities and military service members and their families.
Much of that money will be used to support event programming, develop infrastructure and invest in the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network, helping to build strong and sustainable organizations in key U.S. markets.
Among the many successful events held throughout the year, the Foundation raised more than $1.1 million at the US Open Opening Night Gala, around $160,000 at its annual World Tennis Day fundraiser held in conjunction with the BNP Paribas Showdown, and an additional $150,000 at the West Coast Pro-Am.
Longtime US Open partner Chase once again partnered with the Foundation to award 10 National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapters with a $10,000 grant each, and dozens of talented students across the U.S. will have a chance to follow their dreams after the Foundation announced it was granting $408,000 in college scholarships to deserving youngsters.
In total, the USTA Foundation has contributed more than $22 million through grants and scholarships, giving thousands the opportunity to build better lives through the powerful combination of tennis and education.
For more information, and to support the USTA Foundation, click here.