PTR Foundation

The Professional Tennis Registry Foundation was established in 1979, as the charitable arm of PTR. In order to pursue its aim of raising, administering and distributing funds for charitable activities, the Foundation was granted 501 (C) (3) status as an educational foundation by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States. PTR has been granted 501 (C) (6) status.

Each year, PTR members donate to the Foundation with their membership renewals. These funds are used for various charitable and research activities. Some of these charitable activities have included USTA Schools Programs and National Junior Tennis Leagues, junior scholarships, seed grants to start community tennis programs and other worthwhile projects. The Foundation supports the PTR/ROHO Wheelchair Tennis Championships and the annual Special Olympics Tennis Championships. The Foundation has also sponsored a supplement on wheelchair tennis and wheelchair tennis workshops.

Additionally, the Foundation sponsors free lessons and equipment distribution programs, such as Racquet Roundup. If you would like more information on the PTR Foundation grants, click here for a grant application, which will include biannual deadlines for submitting applications, and grant qualification requirements. Also, the Categories of Giving & Receiving is available.

PTR Foundation - Making Tennis Available to Everyone

One of the PTR Foundation's missions is to bring tennis instruction and equipment to inner cities and rural areas where the opportunity may not otherwise be available to them. Through the Foundation, tennis programs have been developed in low-income housing projects, after school latch-key programs, at-risk youth programs and wheelchair tennis rehabilitation programs. As the sport of a lifetime, tennis can be beneficial in building a better future for these kids as well as a healthier lifestyle of wellness for all ages.

Each year, PTR members donate to the Foundation when they send in their membership renewals. Contributions to the PTR Foundation make a world of difference in making tennis available to everyone. Here are just a few examples:

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the PTR Foundation donated thousands of dollars of PTR clothing, Diadora tennis shoes, Head tennis racquets and Gamma equipment to PTR members who were devastated by the storms. Nearly 100 PTR members benefited from the Foundation’s efforts.

In addition, the PTR Foundation supports and promotes wheelchair tennis through player and instructor clinics, published materials and the PTR Wheelchair Tennis Championships. Over the past ten years, Special Olympics Tennis has been on the roster of organizations that benefit from your contributions.

Racquet Roundup, a PTR Foundation program, collects used racquets for distribution to needy players and organizations. The racquets are restrung by the PTR Foundation with strings provided by Gamma. Racquets, shoes and balls are also given to organizations like Camp ASCCA, an Easter Seals camp that enables children with disabilities to enjoy recreation and outdoor education. Many other worthy organizations and programs have also enjoyed donations as well, including The Methodist Home for Children, Las Vegas Community Center and Wilson County Home School Tennis Clinic.

Educational grants and scholarships are awarded by the PTR Foundation Board of Directors. One recipient, PTR member Ted Mascola, benefited from an equipment donation from the PTR Foundation for his Special Olympics athletes. Sports Tutor heard about Ted's program and donated a Tennis Tutor ball machine worth $1,500. PTR Foundation’s work has far reaching effects on tennis.

This is just a sample of how contributions were used this year by the PTR Foundation. Ensuring tennis is available to everyone is the priority of the Foundation. It cannot be accomplished without donations. No amount is too small to contribute to growing the game of a lifetime. In addition, donors can help determine how their investment in tennis is used by earmarking donations to benefit a specific area such as wheelchair tennis, junior development or education scholarships to the PTR International Tennis Symposium.

Please include a donation to the PTR Foundation in your annual giving or along with your membership renewal. Your contribution will…

Make a World of Difference.