Pro-Am Exhibitions
A pro-am exhibition pairs local teaching professionals or former college players with club members for a night of entertaining tennis. The format is flexible: you can run doubles matches, skill challenges, or a round-robin where amateurs rotate through as partners with the pros. Charge an entry fee of $50 to $150 per participant and invite spectators for free or at a modest ticket price.
The key to a successful pro-am is entertainment value. Use a microphone for commentary, play music between changeovers, and include lighthearted challenges like serve speed contests or target accuracy drills. These events typically raise $2,000 to $8,000 depending on participation, and they generate excitement that carries over into future fundraising efforts.
Corporate Challenge Events
Corporate challenge events tap into the local business community for both fundraising and exposure. Invite companies to sponsor teams of four to six employees who compete in a doubles round-robin format. Team entry fees of $500 to $1,500 cover court time, food, and prizes, with the remainder going to your club fund.
Sweeten the deal for corporate sponsors by offering logo placement on banners, event T-shirts, and social media posts. Many businesses have community engagement budgets that align perfectly with this type of event. Schedule corporate challenges on weekday evenings or Saturday mornings, and provide a catered reception afterward to encourage networking and relationship building.
- Team entry fees: $500 to $1,500 per company
- Format: doubles round-robin with 4 to 6 players per team
- Include logo placement on banners, shirts, and social media
- Add a catered reception for networking after play concludes
Silent Auctions and Memorabilia
Silent auctions work well as standalone events or as additions to existing club functions like gala dinners or end-of-season celebrations. Tennis memorabilia draws strong bids: signed racquets from professional players, framed photos from Grand Slam events, vintage tournament posters, and premium seats to nearby ATP or WTA tour stops all perform well.
Supplement memorabilia with experiential items such as private lessons with your head pro, a weekend guest pass package, or a reserved court slot during peak hours for an entire season. Local businesses may donate gift cards, restaurant vouchers, or spa packages in exchange for event recognition. Use a mobile bidding platform to make the process convenient and competitive.
Court Naming Rights and Sponsorships
Selling naming rights to individual courts is a high-value fundraising strategy that provides ongoing revenue. A local business or generous donor pays a set fee, typically $5,000 to $25,000 per year depending on your market, in exchange for a permanent or multi-year sign on the court fence, windscreen, or scoreboard area.
Naming rights work best when you offer tiered packages. A platinum sponsor might receive naming rights to your center court, prominent logo placement throughout the facility, and complimentary memberships for key employees. A silver sponsor might get a smaller sign on an outer court plus recognition in your newsletter. Structure agreements as three to five year terms with built-in renewal options.
USTA Grants and External Funding
The United States Tennis Association offers several grant programs designed to grow the sport at the grassroots level. The USTA Facility Assistance Program helps clubs and communities fund court construction, resurfacing, and lighting projects. Grant amounts vary, but awards of $10,000 to $50,000 are common for qualifying projects.
Beyond the USTA, explore state and local recreation grants, community development block grants, and private foundations that support youth athletics. Many of these programs prioritize applications that demonstrate community impact, such as providing free clinics to underserved populations or creating adaptive tennis programs for players with disabilities. Strong applications include a clear project budget, a realistic timeline, and letters of support from community leaders.
Tip
Start your USTA grant application early. The review process typically takes 8 to 12 weeks, and strong applications include detailed budgets, community impact statements, and photos of your current facility.
Facility Improvement Campaigns
Capital campaigns for major facility improvements, such as court resurfacing, new fencing, or a clubhouse expansion, require a structured approach. Set a clear fundraising goal, break it into milestones, and communicate progress regularly. A thermometer-style progress tracker displayed at the club and shared in newsletters keeps momentum going.
Offer donors recognition at multiple levels. A donor wall listing contributors by tier, such as bronze for $100 to $499, silver for $500 to $999, gold for $1,000 to $4,999, and platinum for $5,000 and above, motivates members to give at the highest level they can afford. Pair the campaign with a matching gift challenge where a board member or major donor agrees to match contributions up to a set amount.
Gala Dinners and Social Events
An annual gala dinner is a signature fundraising event that doubles as a celebration of your club community. Ticket prices of $75 to $200 per person cover a catered dinner, entertainment, and the opportunity to participate in live or silent auctions. The best galas feature a compelling program that includes player awards, recognition of volunteers, and a brief presentation about the club project being funded.
Keep costs manageable by soliciting in-kind donations for food, beverages, and venue space. Many clubs host their gala at the facility itself, using the courts and surrounding grounds as the event space. String lights, round tables, and a portable stage transform a tennis facility into an elegant setting. A well-executed gala can raise $5,000 to $30,000 in a single evening.
Building a Sponsorship Program
A structured sponsorship program creates a recurring revenue stream rather than relying on one-off fundraising events. Develop a sponsorship packet that outlines three to four tiers with clear benefits at each level. Entry-level sponsors might pay $500 per year for a logo on your website and newsletter mentions, while top-tier sponsors pay $5,000 or more for court signage, event naming rights, and exclusive clinic hosting opportunities.
Approach businesses that align with your club demographic. Sports medicine clinics, athletic apparel stores, financial advisors, and family-friendly restaurants are natural fits. When pitching sponsors, emphasize the audience reach, including your membership count, event attendance numbers, and social media following. Provide a year-end impact report to each sponsor showing impressions and engagement, which helps with renewal conversations.
- 1Define three to four sponsorship tiers with escalating benefits
- 2Create a professional sponsorship packet with audience demographics
- 3Target businesses that align with your club membership profile
- 4Track impressions and engagement for each sponsor throughout the year
- 5Deliver a year-end impact report and initiate renewal conversations early
Frequently Asked Questions
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