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The USTA Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation is proud to announce an official partnership with Bloomerang, a leading nonprofit CRM and fundraising platform.


For the past three years, our Foundation has utilized Bloomerang’s CRM system to strengthen our donor engagement, streamline our operations, and centralize our data. Through this platform, we’ve been able to better organize supporter information, manage fundraising campaigns, coordinate volunteers, and enhance overall communication across our organization.

Thanks to the success and efficiency we’ve experienced, we are excited to now formalize our relationship as an official Bloomerang partner.

Why We Chose Bloomerang


At the heart of our experience is one key benefit: a central location for everything. Bloomerang provides a unified platform where staff, administrators, and key stakeholders can access real-time information in one secure and organized space. No more scattered spreadsheets or disconnected systems, just one streamlined hub for:

●Constituent Relationship Management (CRM)
● Fundraising & Campaign Tracking
● Donor Engagement & Reporting
● Volunteer Management
● Email & Communication Tools
● Data Insights & Performance Reporting


Having a centralized system has improved internal collaboration and given us clearer insight into our impact. It has empowered our team to make data-driven decisions and build stronger relationships with our supporters.

Join Us


We believe in sharing tools that work. If your organization is looking for a comprehensive, user- friendly platform to enhance donor retention, simplify fundraising efforts, and organize your operations, we encourage you to explore Bloomerang. We’ve seen firsthand how powerful the right system can be and we’re excited to help others experience the same success.


To learn more or if you have questions about our experience with Bloomerang, please contact:

Ashlynn Thomas
Ashlynn.thomas@midwest.usta.com

At the USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation, we’re always looking for innovative partners who share our mission to make tennis more inclusive and accessible. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with TennisTEC, a national nonprofit that uses coaching, community, and technology to help more people connect with the game.

“We want to eliminate every barrier that keeps kids and adults from playing this sport.”
— Tim Buwick, TennisTEC founder

A Shared Mission

TennisTEC and MTEF are aligned in a core belief: tennis is for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner picking up a racquet for the first time or a coach looking to impact your local community, this partnership is about opening doors and expanding access.

MTEF will work alongside TennisTEC to:

  • Support community-based tennis programs in under-resourced areas
  • Increase access to free and low-cost coaching resources
  • Leverage digital tools to connect players with opportunities, mentors, and equipment

Removing Barriers—Together

Barriers to tennis can take many forms – financial, geographic, or social. TennisTEC is tackling them all head-on through a model that blends local partnerships, digital innovation, and community-driven leadership. Together, we’re committed to scaling that impact throughout the Midwest and beyond.

Looking Ahead

This collaboration is just the beginning. Stay tuned for updates on local activations, success stories, and ways to get involved. We’re excited to partner with TennisTEC and bring the power of tennis to more communities than ever.

Jeannette Tarqueno, a Navy Veteran, has discovered a profound connection and newfound passion through her involvement in First Service Doubles (FSD), an innovative adaptive tennis program tailored for Veterans, First Responders, and adults with invisible injuries. Partnered with her loyal companion, Gaza, Jeannette exemplifies the transformative power of sport and companionship in overcoming challenges.

FSD breaks barriers by welcoming individuals with a range of invisible injuries, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), anxiety, seizures, and diabetes, along with their support dogs. For Jeannette, Gaza is not just a pet but an integral part of her life. Their journey began with Jeannette’s participation in the “Four Paws and Wake up” program in North Carolina, where she engaged in Owner Assisted Training Service (OAT). Under the guidance of Four Paws NC staff and volunteers, Jeannette trained Gaza to become her service dog, forging a strong bond built on trust and companionship.

The integration of Gaza into Jeannette’s active lifestyle has been a game-changer. With FSD, they found a shared avenue for exercise and camaraderie. Jeannette emphasizes, “The best part of the FSD experience for me is that it allows me to do something with my dog, Gaza, where she actually gets to participate.” Gaza’s involvement transcends mere companionship; she becomes an active participant in Jeannette’s endeavors, bringing joy and fulfillment to both.

Beyond personal fulfillment, Jeannette and Gaza’s presence at FSD has a ripple effect, impacting those around them. Jeannette remarks, “It’s great when I can see her have fun while working and not just sitting on the sidelines. It’s also been great to see people who come to the club to play tennis, also stop to watch us.” Their partnership inspires onlookers, fostering a sense of inclusion and admiration within the community.

Navigating life with a service dog presents its own set of challenges, but Jeannette finds solace and support in the welcoming environment of Park Forest Tennis and her coach, Chris Tudor (located in Park Forest, Illinois). Reflecting on her experience, Jeannette expresses gratitude, stating, “Having a service dog can be difficult. The gym and Chris are super amazing and have been very supportive.”

In Jeannette and Gaza’s story, we witness the profound impact of companionship, resilience, and inclusivity. Through FSD, they have not only discovered a platform for physical activity but also a community that celebrates their journey and uplifts their spirits. Together, they exemplify the transformative power of sport in overcoming adversity and forging unbreakable bonds of friendship.

In the realm of adaptive sports, Jeannette and Gaza stand as a testament to the determined human spirit and the unwavering loyalty of our four-legged companions. Their story serves as an inspiration to all, reminding us that with determination, support, and a loyal companion by our side, we can overcome any obstacle that life throws our way.

The USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (MTEF) is proud to collaborate with The Scars Foundation on raising awareness of mental health. This is one of the hardest issues facing people today. Athletes, including the tennis community is not excluded from this, as we have recently seen across the sport as well as other sports. It is our vision that we open the dialogue and reduce the stigma about this topic for young and old not just in our tennis community but in all communities. No one should have to suffer in silence or feel alone, MTEFs collaboration with The Scars Foundation will complete a wholistic offering of resources as part of our total health initiative.

The Scars Foundation was established by Sully Erna and rock band Godsmack to help raise awareness of the mental health issues that so many are faced with today. With the rise of suicides, bullying, addiction, abuse and so many other challenges, The Scars Foundation is dedicated to help provide resources, tools, and to educate and empower those who struggle with these challenges. The Scars Foundation is determined to help people learn how to accept these imperfections and embrace them as their battle wounds from life, to own them, and show them off proudly to the world, rather than hide them and suffer in silence.

In a few words: “We are all Imperfectly Perfect.”

Grace Notes Project

The Scars Foundation has sponsored many projects, one of which is called Grace Notes Project, and this is the initiative will be launching in Detroit, June 19th. It was born from the need and desire to help those who struggle with mental health issues to experience live music. The general purpose was to provide a forum/venue for musicians who want to give back using their talents to offer service to “underserved, under recognized communities”.

The creator of this project understands the power of music and how that power can transform someone’s day, life, moment…. from one of loneliness and desperation, to one of joy. Music is virtually the only “medicine” that universally has a profound positive impact on people. The Grace Notes Project is about giving back to the underserved communities and lifting spirits.

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The Birchwood Club in Highland Park, Ill., has donated more than $10,000 over the past nine years from its fundraisers to the USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (USTA/MTEF). Back in 2008, two of the club’s board members were looking for a charity that would help benefit its members’ needs to keep tennis in the forefront for years to come.

During that fall, The Birchwood Club decided to partner with USTA/MTEF, and contribute a portion of its annual fundraiser to our organization. USTA/MTEF extends a heartfelt thank you to The Birchwood Club (particularly Mort Kessel and Hal Alexrod) for helping fulfill its mission and introduce more youth to the sport of a lifetime during the past nine years.

For more information on The Birchwood Club, and the many activities it offers its members and guests, please visit www.birchwoodclub.com.

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