Usta Foundation Incorporated

The information for Usta Foundation Incorporated is as of the organization's most recent filing in December '21. This organization is located in White Plains, NY. It has been in existence for 27 years, following its founding in 1994.

Organization Classification

The IRS classifies organizations according to the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) system. The NTEE system helps the IRS assign a 3-character code to each organization to describe the organization's activities.

The Usta Foundation Incorporated's NTEE code is N12. The "N" tells us that the organization is classified along with Fund Raising & Fund Distribution within the Recreation & Sports major classification. The "12" tells us that the organization raises and distributes funds for multiple organizations within the Recreation, Sports, Leisure, Athletics major group area. This aligns with their mission, which is to bring tennis and education together to change lives, with a particular emphasis on under-resourced youth. Through this powerful combination, they aim to serve up dreams. The Usta Foundation Incorporated is also classified as a 501(c)(3) organization, as described by the IRS, engaged in Religious, Educational, Charitable, Scientific, Literary, Public Safety, Amateur Sports, or Prevention of Cruelty to Children or Animals work.

Program Areas

Program Area 1: The USTA Foundation provides program and operational support grants to implement qualified educational curricula and improve tennis delivery. This program area focuses on supporting NJTL chapters that serve under-resourced demographics. In 2021, a total of $4,976,096 was granted to 119 organizations. The funded programs include NJTL capacity building, national essay contests, literacy, health & STEM initiatives, and the excellence program. These programs aim to address the needs of NJTL chapters, promote literacy and STEM competencies, and provide opportunities for under-resourced contestants to attend the US Open. Additionally, the excellence program works to identify, train, and educate the next generation of American tennis champions, collegiate players, and future leaders.

Program Area 2: The USTA Foundation awards college educational scholarships annually to high school seniors who have excelled academically, demonstrated community service, and participated in an organized tennis program. Preference is given to NJTL participants, and the awards range from $2,500 to $15,000, spread over four years. In 2021, a total of $425,950 in scholarships were provided to 51 participants.

Organization Staffing

Usta Foundation Incorporated is led by Daniel Faber, who serves as the Executive Director. The organization does not have any employees and therefore does not have any employees paid over $100k. However, the organization is supported by a dedicated team of 50 volunteers.

Board Governance

The Usta Foundation Incorporated appears to be well-governed based on the information provided. The organization has 15 voting members, all of whom are independent, indicating a diverse and unbiased decision-making process. The absence of potential conflicts of interest further strengthens the organization's governance, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of the non-profit's mission rather than personal gain. The fact that the organization has not delegated management to an outside firm suggests that the board is actively involved in overseeing the operations and strategic direction of the foundation. This hands-on approach can lead to more effective decision-making and better alignment with the organization's goals. The documentation of board and committee meetings demonstrates a commitment to transparency and accountability. This practice allows for a clear record of discussions and decisions, ensuring that all members are informed and can contribute to the organization's governance. The presence of a conflict of interest policy, along with the requirement for disclosure of conflicts, indicates that the Usta Foundation Incorporated takes proactive measures to address and mitigate potential conflicts among its board members. This policy helps to maintain the integrity and impartiality of the organization's decision-making processes. Additionally, the organization's adoption of a written whistleblower policy and document retention policy further highlights its commitment to ethical conduct and accountability. These policies provide mechanisms for reporting wrongdoing and preserving important records, respectively, which are essential for maintaining the organization's integrity and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. While the information does not mention the substantiation and review of leadership and officer salaries, it is important to note that the organization provides copies of the 990 to the board prior to filing. This practice allows board members to review and assess the organization's financial information, including salaries, ensuring transparency and accountability in the compensation practices. Overall, the Usta Foundation Incorporated demonstrates strong governance practices through its independent board, documented meetings, conflict of interest policy, whistleblower policy, and document retention policy. These measures contribute to the organization's effective and responsible management, ultimately enabling it to fulfill its mission and serve its beneficiaries with integrity.

Grant History

Our dataset includes four years of grant history for the Usta Foundation Incorporated. Over the course of those four years, they have awarded a total of 431 grants, with an average check size of $41,284. The organization primarily focuses on grants in the Recreation & Sports sector, with all 431 grants falling within this category. The Usta Foundation Incorporated has awarded grants in a wide range of states, with California receiving the highest number of grants at 42, followed by Pennsylvania with 27, and Georgia with 22. Other states that have received grants include Louisiana, Puerto Rico, Alabama, Arizona, New York, Ohio, Texas, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, Mississippi, New Mexico, Minnesota, North Carolina, Colorado, Rhode Island, Maryland, New Hampshire, Illinois, Nevada, Wisconsin, Indiana, Vermont, Oregon, Delaware, Washington, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Tennessee, Michigan, Washington D.C., Utah, Oklahoma, Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri, Maine, Kansas, and Wyoming.

Organization Growth

The Usta Foundation Incorporated has experienced growth over the given time period. Contributions and grants received increased from $6.2 million in 2018 to $14.4 million in 2021, indicating an increase in support from donors. Total revenue also increased from $6.6 million in 2018 to $14.5 million in 2021, further highlighting the organization's growth. Additionally, grants paid increased from $4.8 million in 2018 to $5.4 million in 2021, demonstrating an expansion in the foundation's ability to provide financial assistance. However, it is worth noting that investment income and other revenue decreased over this time period, which may require further investigation to understand the overall financial health of the organization. Nevertheless, the Usta Foundation Incorporated has shown positive growth in terms of contributions, grants paid, and total revenue.