SERVING HOPE: TENNIS ALLIANCE ENDOWMENT FUND CULTIVATES A FULL BLOOM FUTURE

For more than 10 years, the Tennis Alliance of Anne Arundel County has provided tennis and educational opportunities for youth and families. With its mission being “to expand tennis opportunities for all in Anne Arundel County and to promote the sport of tennis for health, wellness, and life,” the organization offers free tennis lessons and distributes free rackets to youth and families in under-resourced communities. In 2024, more than 350 youth and 147 adults participated in their programs. They offer six-week programs, free family tennis afternoons, and summer camps, incorporating education on nutrition and character building through sports. Recently, they expanded their reach by introducing adaptive programming, beyond Special Olympics, to include wheelchair and visually impaired tennis.

As the organization grew, so did its dream for long-term sustainability. Last year, the Tennis Alliance took advantage of CFAAC’s special offer to establish a Designated Fund with the goal of building an Endowment Fund. CFAAC gave nonprofits three years to reach endowment status, and Tennis Alliance supporters rallied, achieving the goal of an endowment within a year.

Tennis Alliance Founder and Board President Louise Thomas said the offer came at a pivotal moment, just as the organization was preparing to hire a paid executive director.

“When we learned of this great opportunity with a very minimal amount to get the fund started, we began doing the research,” she said. “We were in the process of making a decision on how to move forward, have greater sustainability, and greater exposure. We asked ourselves, ‘Are we moving forward or not?’—knowing this would be an important piece; it was a statement
to the community that we're here to stay.

“We were very appreciative of CFAAC’s outreach because we weren't anywhere near thinking of an endowment. We just didn't have those kind of funds,” she continued. “But then John [Rodenhausen] worked with us and talked us through it. We contacted a couple of people, and they were excited about making this happen.”
The timing aligned perfectly with the hiring of Marie Sokoloff, the organization’s new executive director. As the CFAAC fund was growing, Marie found CFAAC’s support invaluable in her new role.

“I think that being able to pick up the phone and call a team of philanthropic experts at any time makes a huge difference,” she said. “Not only do they help, but they are also very sincerely interested in us succeeding.”

With a solid financial foundation in place, the Tennis Alliance remains focused on its long-term goals. In addition to growing its endowment and programming, the organization continues to raise funds — to support advocacy for an indoor tennis facility, which would allow them to expand their programs year round and allow Anne Arundel residents more court availability.

“We will always be looking and working for an indoor facility,” said Marie. “However, my job is to make sure that people understand that the Tennis Alliance is more than just that tennis facility. We are providing tennis opportunities for all.”

Marie encourages other nonprofits not to be intimidated by the idea of setting up an Endowment Fund at CFAAC. “Just take a breath; don't be intimidated,” she said. “You can pick up the phone and call any staff member. They will make you feel at ease and help you to understand the way it all works.”