On June 21, 2025, tennis star Madison Keys took a significant step to promote youth opportunities by donating a $1000 tennis grant aimed at expanding college scholarships. This initiative, announced via the Kindness Wins Foundation’s Instagram, targets underserved American communities, reinforcing Keys’ ongoing dedication to making tennis accessible and impactful beyond the professional courts.
Known for her strong advocacy of youth programs, Keys has previously raised substantial funds during events like the Credit One Charleston Open. Her latest philanthropic effort supports the nonprofit Serve and Return of Louisiana, which serves Monroe, West Monroe, and surrounding areas by providing free tennis lessons and scholarships to local students in need.
How the $1000 Grant Will Enhance College Scholarship Programs
The grant from Madison Keys and Kindness Wins Foundation is designated specifically to assist high school seniors involved with Serve and Return’s scholarship program. These scholarships enable talented students to pursue four-year college education opportunities that might otherwise be financially out of reach. The award ceremony is planned for the organization’s upcoming Raise the Racquet Gala, an event that also features a charity auction with a signed racquet from Keys herself.
Serve and Return is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that dedicates its efforts to youth development via tennis in their Louisiana communities. Beyond lessons and scholarships, it organizes charity events and provides necessary equipment to decrease barriers for young players. Keys’ grant adds both financial support and visibility to the cause, pushing for broader community impact.
Reflecting on the grant, a Kindness Wins post stated,
“Kindness Wins and @madisonkeys are pleased to award a $1000 grant to Serve and Return of Louisiana to help increase the impact of their college scholarship program,”
highlighting the collaborative partnership aiming to uplift youth through sport.
Madison Keys’ Ongoing Commitment to Youth and Tennis Accessibility
Since founding Kindness Wins in 2020, Madison Keys has committed herself to championing kindness and accessibility in sports, education, and community support. The foundation focuses on delivering resources to youth, encouraging personal growth and compassion as vital values. Donations managed through the Quad Cities Community Foundation in Iowa direct support where it’s most needed, with Keys and her team overseeing grant decisions.
Keys has spoken openly about her motivation behind starting the foundation, emphasizing the opportunities tennis has provided her personally and her wish to extend those advantages to others. She remarked,
“I felt like tennis has just brought so much opportunity to my life, and I felt like I wanted to be able to give that to as many people as possible. Tennis isn’t the most accessible sport, so, I wanted to try to get equipment, new balls, or new courts and just give as many kids the opportunity to play tennis as possible.”
She further explained the broader benefits of tennis for youth, stating,
“I think it opens a lot of doors, and I think it builds a lot of really great characteristics. I think the more kids playing tennis, the better. So that’s kind of my goal.”
Key Support Behind Madison Keys’ Success on and off the Court
As Madison Keys prepares for Wimbledon 2025, the sixth seed continues to draw strength not only from her skills but also from the steady support of her husband and coach, Bjorn Fratangelo. Speaking at Roland Garros this year, Keys described Fratangelo as an essential, unwavering presence in her professional life.
“He’s definitely unfireable and I think he toes the line sometimes, but um there’s definitely times where he’ll say something and like I just glare at him and he just laughs because he knows,”
Keys said, illustrating their candid relationship.
She added insight on his straightforward communication style, saying,
“But as I’m sure you all know Bjorn quite well, he doesn’t really hold back. He kind of says what he thinks what he feels, and you kind of know what he’s thinking, kind of at all moments, doesn’t really have much of a filter. So in a lot of ways, that’s great sometimes, when you know you’re down in the third, it’s not really what you want to hear, but sometimes it’s what you need to hear.”
Their partnership dates back to 2017, culminating in their marriage during a scenic autumn ceremony in South Carolina in November 2024. Fratangelo, a former professional player himself, transitioned from competitive tennis to coaching, playing a pivotal role in Keys’ continued upward trajectory both on the court and in her philanthropic endeavors.
Looking Ahead: Keys’ Vision for Tennis and Community Impact
Madison Keys’ $1000 tennis grant exemplifies her passionate dedication to fostering youth empowerment through sport and education. By collaborating with organizations like Serve and Return and leveraging her foundation’s platform, she aims to expand opportunities for young players, especially those who face financial and social barriers.
As Keys heads into future tournaments, including Wimbledon, her mission merges athletic ambition with meaningful community engagement. Her investments in college scholarships and local tennis programs may inspire a new generation to pursue their dreams both in academics and athletics.
Through strategic grants and hands-on support, Keys continues to build a legacy that transcends wins and titles, proving that tennis can be a powerful vehicle for positive change across American communities.