Our mission is also our motto; “To Teach Tennis and Change Lives.” The Panda Foundation was certified as a 501(c)3 organization in 2000.

From the outset, our programming focused on urban children.  However, after working with children in Manatee County for nearly two decades, Panda recognized the need to expand our programs, in order to have the greatest possible impact on youth.  In this regard, Panda managed and partnered with the Bollettieri Tennis and Learning Program (BTL) and have achieved unparalleled results.

While we continue to focus on the values of literacy, remaining in school, maintaining a healthy, drug free body and addressing the issue of childhood obesity and diabetes, we have also begun to develop programs to address the whole child, and, as such, the whole family.

The Panda Foundation will continue to use tennis and other sports as the hook in our programs, but will also, independently and with partners, offer more health and recreation opportunities for all family members.  Further, Panda will offer programming to assist families in enjoying healthy, productive lives, such as gaining and maintaining employment, parenting classes, and other community workshops and meetings that are timely and meaningful.

To see a video of our program, click here

For more specific details on how we are impacting the lives of our children, view this video: