Capacity Building Grant Application Guidelines

The Capacity Building Grant was created to offer our Community Tennis Associations’ (CTAs)leadership an annual opportunity to receive funding designed to strengthen the structure of their organization.

Helpful Hints: Throughout the years, we have seen many Capacity Building Grant requests suffer due to a lack of structure and detail. Below are some helpful hints to guide you through this process to help you be successful. Note: It is likely, and acceptable, that you will have items in your CTA’s funding request that will not apply to all three Helpful Hints listed below.

1)Marketing Plan–Develop and reference a marketing plan. What are you promoting? To whom (and to how many) are you promoting it? What method are you going to use (fliers, billboards, digital promotion)? Exactly how much will it cost? Did you get quotes?

2)Retention - You are great at creating new initiatives and growing your community, but where do your participants go from here? What’s the next step for your frequent players (youth and adult)? Are you providing on-site sign-up opportunities for all of your events, leagues, programs, clinics, and play-days?

3)Partnerships – What local groups, organizations, or government entities are on-board with your mission? When do you all meet and how do you work together? Are we the only ones you ask for money? Do you have a list of organizations/groups that you targeted for potential collaboration efforts? Do you approach parents and young adults for volunteer opportunities within your programs?

4) For Qualified CTAs – Consider requesting funding to specifically help support and partner with other area local single/multi purpose Community Tennis Associations.

Ideas:Below are somesuggested topics for which you may request funding. Be creative and remember to customize your application, keeping in mind that the overall purpose of this funding is to help strengthen your organization’s structure & grow your tennis community.

  • Communications – Create or improve your newsletter/e-blasts, website, social media reach
  • Education and Training – Schedule a non-profit specialist to work with your board at a board retreat, training or planning meeting; Send Board members, staff, and/or volunteers to the Texas Annual and/or Semi-Annual Meeting; Volunteer recruitment & training
  • Marketing – Develop a marketing initiative to connect with area players and promote your CTA with the larger community as a whole with advertisements, a brochure, promo item, etc.
  • Partnerships – Create partnerships with service organizations, PARDs, area pros, colleges, Chamber of Commerce, Sports Commission, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, etc. How can you build a deeper and stronger relationship with these organizations?
  • Advocacy - Create a tennis advocacy group to address community tennis needs such as new facilities, restoring courts, tennis growth

Grant Applications Must Include:

  • Cover Page (Organizations Name, Organization’s Mailing Address, Key Contact Information)
  • Full, detailed answers to the Part 1 Evaluation Portion & supporting documents
  • Narrative Request for each of the initiatives
  • Itemized Budget for each initiative (income and expenses)

The required plans listed above must clearly demonstrate the organization’s strategy for longevity and attempt to become self-sufficient.

The Grant Committee reviews all applications and awards funding based on:

  • Thoroughness ofthe grant request
  • The specific needin each area to develop and enhance the organization
  • Organization’s grant history with USTA Texas

Common Items Requested

Almost Always Funded / Sometimes Funded / Never Funded
  • Training/Education:
Attending CDW
Attending CTDW
Attend other CTA BOD meetings
  • TeamBuilding:
Board Meetings
Board activities
  • Town Hall Meetings for the community leaders/organizations
  • VolunteerBuilding:
Volunteer events
Volunteer recognition/ appreciation events /
  • Attorney fees for Non-Profit status
  • Communication tools (Webmaster, etc…)
  • Kick-off sign-up days for programs
  • Events at your non-traditional locations (local festivals, rodeos, malls, etc…)
  • Marketing of programs and fundraising opportunities
/
  • Programming Initiatives
  • Supplemental Aids:
Ball Machines
Training spots
Cones
Ball Hoppers
  • Traditional Tennis Nets
  • Windscreens
  • Umpire Chairs
  • Decorations (Centerpieces)
  • Entertainment (DJ)
  • One day events with no plan for on-going opportunities for all participants
  • On Court Teaching stipend