Raise a Racquet Foundation For Kentucky Tennis
The Raise a Racquet Foundation is USTA Kentucky's Endowment Fund and is it's own separate 501(c)3 entity, overseen by USTA Kentucky's Board of Directors. Through the funds raised, Raise a Racquet is able to carry out charitable good works to the Kentucky tennis community.

Here are some of the ways in which Raise a Racquet was able to reach out to the community in 2009:
*  Awarded $4,000 in educational scholarships to Kentucky high school seniors through the Jason Isaacs Memorial Fund
*  Awarded over $7,600 in grants to Kentucky junior players
Want to make a difference in the Kentucky Tennis Community? Make a tax-deductible contribution today! Download a pledge card now!

The Raise a Racquet Foundation will annually disburse a minimum of 4% of the fund's unrestricted assets.  To request need-based assistance to deserving Kentucky junior USTA members, please complete the application. The guidelines for receiving Raise a Racquet funding are:

• Priority will be given to developmental opportunities (e.g. camps, lessons) and new applicants.
• Applicants must exhibit good sportsmanship on the court at all times.
• The maximum grant is normally $500 per junior per calendar year and $1000 per family per calendar year. Exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
• Scholarships will be paid directly to the provider or school.
• In the case of funds going directly to players, original receipts for how the aide was used must be submitted to the USTA office for reimbursement.

For other funding requests:

Please submit a formal request, stating the purpose, how funding will be used, and support documents for amounts requested (budgets, bids, and/or photos).  In instances of funds being paid to individuals, original receipts for how the funding was used must be submitted to the USTA Kentucky office.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Kentucky Tennis Association Endowment Fund, doing business as the Raise a Racquet for Kentucky Tennis Foundation, is to raise and distribute funds to benefit tennis players throughout the state of Kentucky.  The objectives of the Foundation are:

1. To promote tennis state-wide as the sport offering lifetime benefits that include recreation, health, character development, sportsmanship, leadership, and friendship. 
2. To cooperate with all tennis-related organizations (including the USTA, USTA Southern Section, USTA Kentucky, community tennis associations, schools, and recreational associations) to promote tennis to players of all ages, and to help make tennis available to players with financial needs.
3. To fund educational scholarships and athletic scholarships for tennis players, to provide information about other scholarship opportunities, and to provide stipends to enable players to participate in tournaments and/or training programs.

To fund special projects that benefit tennis players of all ages and abilities, and that promote the game of tennis.

Raise a Racquet Scholarships

Junior players who are interested in receiving information about college tennis programs and scholarships should contact USTA Kentucky.

The USTA Tennis Foundation Scholarship program offers both college education and individual player scholarships to junior players who hold State, Southern, or National rankings and meet certain other criteria. This is an annual program, with applications due in early February. The program has concluded for 2010, please check back for 2011 USTA Tennis Foundation Scholarship information.

USTA Kentucky and it's Endowment Fund, Raise a Racquet, also offer scholarships for college assistance. In addition, funding opportunities are also available to Kentucky junior players for tennis camps. Please read below for more information:

Jason Isaacs Memorial Scholarship
Awarded annually to college bound high school seniors who participate in the Jason Isaacs Memorial Doubles Tournament and plans to play tennis in college. This award may be granted to one or more persons and is presented at the Joe Creason Kentucky State Qualifier. To apply, download the 2012 Scholaship Form and return to the USTA Kentucky office by April 16, 2012.

Sam English Scholarship
More information to come!

Arthur Ashe Art & Essay Contest
Every year the USTA/NJTL sponsors an essay contest honoring the legacy and humanitarianism of tennis great, Arthur Ashe. Open to NJTL participants only, the essay requires youth to write or draw what the quote below Arthur Ashe means to them. Include examples from Ashe's life and your own.

Winners receive an all expenses paid trip to New York City to participate in Arthur Ashe Kids Day which is held in conjunction with the US Open. For more information on the 2010 Arthur Ashe essay contest, click here.