Ic Philanthropy Foundation
Charity Number: 1167925
Stay updated on changes from Ic Philanthropy Foundation and other funders
Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.
Quick Stats
- Charity Number: 1167925
- Annual Income: £161,095 (2023)
- Annual Expenditure: £135,765 (2023)
- Grant Focus: Tennis programs for disadvantaged children
- Geographic Reach: International (18 programs in 15 countries)
- Total Beneficiaries: 23,500 children since 2009
- Structure: Volunteer-run by IC member nations
Contact Details
Website: http://www.icphilanthropy.ictennis.net/
Email: boyd.cuthbertson@icphilanthropy.com
Phone: 07771504297
Registered Office: Warlingham, Surrey, England
Overview
IC PHILANTHROPY FOUNDATION is a UK registered charity (number 1167925) established in 2009 by the Council of International Lawn Tennis Clubs. The foundation operates as an integral activity of 42 International Club (IC) member nations worldwide, using tennis as a tool to improve the lives of disadvantaged and disabled children globally. The foundation is entirely volunteer-run by members of the IC family and supported by donations from individuals and other foundations. Since its inception, the foundation has reached 23,500 children through 18 programs across 15 countries, providing tennis facilities, equipment, and coaching to those who would otherwise lack access to the sport. The organization operates under the motto “Hands across the net, friendship across the ocean,” reflecting the IC's commitment to international goodwill through tennis.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation makes grants to International Lawn Tennis Clubs around the world which run programs for disadvantaged children. Grants typically cover:
- Facilities: Provision of tennis courts and infrastructure
- Equipment: Tennis rackets, balls, and related sporting equipment
- Coaching: Qualified tennis instruction and life skills development
- Matched Funding Required: Programs must secure matching funding from another source
Priority Areas
Geographic Focus: The foundation supports programs in Australia, Birmingham City (UK), Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Ethiopia, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, and Uruguay.
Target Beneficiaries:
- Disadvantaged children and young people
- Disabled children
- Youth at risk from drugs, crime, and negative peer pressure
- Children lacking access to sports facilities
Program Objectives:
- Teaching tennis skills and techniques
- Developing life skills including positive attitude and strong work ethic
- Providing alternative pathways from street life and its dangers
- Building belief that “anything is possible”
- Promoting community participation in healthy recreation
What They Don't Fund
Information about explicit exclusions is not publicly available, but the foundation's focus is specifically on tennis programs for disadvantaged youth operated through International Lawn Tennis Club member nations.

Ready to write a winning application for Ic Philanthropy Foundation?
Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.
Governance and Leadership
Trustees/Directors (as of January 2025)
The foundation is governed by 9 trustees, none of whom receive remuneration:
- Boyd Cuthbertson (Director, appointed 2015) - Chartered Accountant - Contact: boyd.cuthbertson@icphilanthropy.com
- Lesley Jane Hannon (Secretary and Director, appointed 2015/2019)
- Henri Reiter (Director, appointed 2015) - Investment Banker, Luxembourg
- Edward Scott Mead (Director, appointed 2020) - Artist/Photographer
- Felipe Bunster Galeno (Director, appointed 2019) - International Contracts Manager
- James Ralph Acheson-Gray (Director, appointed 2021) - Company Director
- Fleur Juliet Elizabeth Clegg (Director, appointed 2022) - Solicitor
- Neil Julian Albric Howitt (Director, appointed 2023) - Actuary
- David Gollob (Director, appointed 2025) - American, based in United States
The foundation has no trading subsidiaries and no employees receiving benefits over £60,000.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
The IC Philanthropy Foundation does not operate a traditional open application process. The foundation works primarily through the network of 42 International Lawn Tennis Club (IC) member nations. Grants are made to International Lawn Tennis Clubs that are part of this global IC network.
Key Requirements:
- Programs must be run by or through International Lawn Tennis Clubs
- Matched funding from another source is required
- Programs are continuously assessed for effectiveness
- Connection to the IC member network appears essential
Getting on Their Radar
For organizations seeking support from IC Philanthropy Foundation:
- IC Member Connection: The foundation operates as an integral activity of the 42 IC member nations. Programs are typically initiated through existing IC club connections rather than external applications.
- Phil Cox, VP Philanthropy: Phil Cox serves on the Philanthropy Committee for the International Tennis Club of the United States and has been instrumental in establishing new programs, including the Tennis Rwanda Children's Foundation.
- Local IC Clubs: Approach International Lawn Tennis Clubs in your country to explore partnership opportunities. The IC network spans 42 nations globally.
- Demonstrated Impact: The foundation looks for programs that use tennis to provide an alternative path from street life, drugs, and crime for disadvantaged children.
Decision Timeline
Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. The foundation operates on an ongoing basis with programs continuously assessed for effectiveness.
Success Rates
Success rate information is not publicly available. The foundation has grown from supporting 17 programs to 18 programs across 15 countries, suggesting selective expansion based on available resources and program effectiveness.
Reapplication Policy
Not publicly available. Given the relationship-based nature of the foundation's grant-making through IC member clubs, ongoing relationships appear more significant than formal reapplication processes.
Application Success Factors
Based on the foundation's documented programs and approach:
- IC Network Connection: Successful programs appear to be those connected to the International Lawn Tennis Club network. The foundation operates as an integral activity of the 42 IC member nations.
- Matched Funding: The foundation explicitly requires matched funding from another source, demonstrating broader community support and sustainability.
- Clear Social Impact: Successful programs like Tennis Rwanda Children's Foundation demonstrate measurable growth (from 60 to 1,500 children) and clear social benefits for disadvantaged populations.
- Volunteer Engagement: The foundation values volunteer-run programs. The Tennis Rwanda Children's Foundation, for example, was co-founded by IC member Phil Cox working with Rwanda's top female tennis player, Joseline Umulisa.
- Life Skills Focus: Programs that combine tennis instruction with life skills development and provide alternatives to negative peer pressure align with the foundation's mission of teaching “positive attitude, strong work ethic, and belief that anything is possible.”
- Sustainability and Growth: The foundation seeks programs that can demonstrate effectiveness and growth. The Rwanda program grew from 60 children in 2022 to 2,500 children annually, showing the kind of scalable impact the foundation supports.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Network Access is Essential: This is not a traditional grant-making foundation with open applications. Access appears to require connection to one of the 42 International Lawn Tennis Club member nations.
- Matched Funding is Mandatory: Prepare to demonstrate matched funding from another source before approaching the foundation.
- Demonstrate Social Impact: Focus on how tennis can provide an alternative pathway for disadvantaged children, particularly those at risk from drugs, crime, or poverty.
- Think Long-Term Partnership: The foundation supports ongoing programs (18 programs over 15 years) rather than one-off grants, suggesting preference for sustained relationships.
- Engage IC Member Volunteers: Successful programs involve IC family volunteers, such as Phil Cox's role in Rwanda. Building relationships with IC members may be crucial.
- Show Growth Potential: The Rwanda program's growth from 60 to 2,500 children demonstrates the kind of scalable impact that attracts foundation support.
- Limited Public Information: The foundation maintains a low public profile with limited published grant guidelines, reinforcing its relationship-based approach through the IC network.
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
References
- Charity Commission Register of Charities: IC Philanthropy Foundation (1167925) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1167925
- IC Philanthropy Foundation Official Website - http://www.icphilanthropy.ictennis.net/
- Companies House: IC Philanthropy Foundation Officers - https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09395678/officers
- The Council of International Lawn Tennis Clubs - https://www.ictennis.net/
- Tennis Rwanda Children's Foundation - https://www.trcfic.org/
- USIC Tennis Philanthropy - https://www.usictennis.org/usic-philanthropy/
- Charity Commission: Financial year ending 31 December 2023 accounts showing income of £161,095 and expenditure of £135,765
- Giving is Great Charity Factsheet: IC Philanthropy Foundation - https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1167925