Support the Courts Foundation is an independent, all-volunteer nonprofit, nonsectarian organization whose mission is to promote the health and well being of children and families in the City of Minneapolis by reconstructing tennis courts in Minneapolis Public Parks. Support the Courts Foundation focuses on courts utilized in programs for youth and school programs that depend on them. Providing quality tennis facilities, we will help close the gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots” in our city. Replacing tennis courts means that an important asset will be restored in neighborhoods that have very few amenities.
MISSION STATEMENT
GOALS
When we set out in 2004, our objective was to rebuild tennis court facilities in up to five (5) Minneapolis Parks, serving inner-city high schools and InnerCity Tennis summer programming. In 2010, we completed reconstruction of the Lake Hiawatha Park Tennis Courts, our fifth tennis court renovation site, accomplishing our original goal.
A HISTORY OF SUCCESS
Support the Courts was founded in 2004 by a small, but mighty group of volunteers with a sole purpose: To raise funds to renovate tennis courts in Minneapolis Public Parks, with a special focus on courts utilized in programs for youth and school programs that depend on them. City leaders, park officials, neighborhood organizations, The United States Tennis Association, corporations & hundreds of individual donors — all understood the value of using tennis as a way to improve health, build community and provide safe spaces for kids to play. Seven years later, 25 tennis courts had been reconstructed across the City of Minneapolis — in Kenwood, Webber, Pershing, Powderhorn and Lake Hiawatha Parks!
COMPLETED PROJECTS
- 4 courts – Morgan Park in South Minneapolis (serving Washburn HS tennis programs) Completed Fall 2020.
- 4 courts – Loring Park in Downtown Minneapolis – Courts constructed in Spring/Summer 2021
- 6 courts – Kenwood Park in South Minneapolis
- 5 courts – Webber Park in North Minneapolis (serving Patrick Henry HS tennis programs)
- 5 courts – Powderhorn Park in South Minneapolis (serving South HS tennis programs)
- 4 courts – Pershing Park in South Minneapolis (serving Southwest HS tennis programs)
- 5 courts – Lake Hiawatha Park in SE Minneapolis (serving Roosevelt HS tennis programs)
AWARDS
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board “2008 Outstanding Non-Profit Organization”
USTA Northern “2009 Wolfenson/Ratner Community Service Award”
Racquet Sports Industry – “2009 Tennis Advocate of the Year”
