BNP Paribas Open Tapped as Recipient of 2018 ATP ACES for Charity Grant

The BNP Paribas Open was recently named as one of nine recipients of the 2018 ATP ACES For Charity Grants for its charitable work through the Champions Volunteer Foundation. The ATP ACES for Charity grant will allow the Foundation to increase the number of grants they can award to keep up with the growing demand from the local area for financial assistance.

The ATP ACES For Charity program is a global initiative aimed at giving back to communities where ATP World Tour events are played, and supporting tournament and player charitable activities. Each year, the program awards nine grants to outstanding foundations and player initiatives. This year’s recipients are focused on making a difference in the lives of those in need through work in sport, disability and education.

The Champions Volunteer Foundation is the primary beneficiary of the BNP Paribas Open, consisting of dedicated individuals who are committed to donating their time to raise funds for charitable purposes. Through a grant application process, the Champions Volunteer Foundation redistributes funds to the local community through other non-profit organizations, particularly those who support the most vulnerable and marginalized members of the community. The Foundation has raised funds for local community partners such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Desert, the Family YMCA of the Desert, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Coachella Valley.  Since its inception in 2002, the Champions Volunteer Foundation has donated more than $1.65 million to over 45 local non-profits.

Other recipients of the 2018 ATP ACES For Charity grant include:

• The NK Foundation: The Nick Kyrgios Foundation focuses on providing underprivileged youth access to sport – the grant will help build a sports center/dormitory shelter in Melbourne, Australia.
• Fundación Emilio Sánchez Vicario: Feliciano Lopez and Emiliano Sanchez’ foundation is focused on personal and social development of individuals through sports and education. The grant will be used to help individuals suffering from physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities through activities at four tennis schools.
• Hans Podlipnik-Castillo: Futuros para el tenis is a foundation which aims to help youth in Chile obtain university scholarships around the world. The grant will be used to pay for a year-long tennis program which will provide children with coaching, equipment, tournament and educational costs.
• Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi: Stop War Start Tennis promotes peace through tennis by enabling those who have experienced war to live an active lifestyle. The grant will be used to help those with disabilities and special needs by providing prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs and hearing aids.
• Horia Tecau: Fundația Curtea Veche aims its efforts at improving children’s education through promotion of reading. The grant will be used towards the foundation’s ‘Life in the Rhythm of Tennis’ campaign, which is a book donation initiative that will give 5,000 children the opportunity to learn new skills through sport.
• Gazprom Hungarian Open: The Hand in Hand Foundation helps individuals with disabilities and their families live life with dignity. The Foundation used the ACES grant to launch a kick-off event ahead of the 2018 tournament, which included a wheelchair tennis clinic and mini-tennis clinic involving ATP Tour players and top tennis wheelchair players.
• Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships: Dubai Autism Center raises awareness for autism and provides special care for those affected by the condition and their families. The grant was used during the 2018 tournament to host a “Special Needs Kids Day” in which kids were able to meet their favorite players, watch matches and enjoy meals.
• Millennium Estoril Open: Academia Dos Champs focuses on teaching tennis as a tool to provide underprivileged children and young adults with positive guidelines. The grant will provide over 1,100 tennis lessons to youth at Cascais municipality, the home of the Millennium Estoril Open.

Since 2011, the ATP ACES For Charity Grant program has awarded 85 grants totaling more than $1 Million in donations.