LTA Tennis Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £2.3 million+ (grants)
• Success Rate: Varies by round (example: 44% in one round)
• Decision Time: 8 weeks (typical)
• Grant Range: Varies by programme and organisation size
• Geographic Focus: Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
• Charity Number: 1148421

Contact Details

Email: info@ltatennisfoundation.org.uk

Phone: 0208 487 7000

Address: The National Tennis Centre, 100 Priory Lane, Roehampton, London, SW15 5JQ

Website: https://www.lta.org.uk/what-we-do/lta-tennis-foundation/

For questions about eligibility or application process, contact info@ltatennisfoundation.org.uk

Overview

The LTA Tennis Foundation launched on February 22, 2023, following the merger of the Tennis Foundation (established 1987) and LTA Trust. As the LTA's official charity (registered charity 1148421), the Foundation has quickly established itself as a significant funder in grassroots tennis. In its first year (2023), it awarded £2.3 million in grants to 32 organisations. The Foundation also operates a Quick Access Loan scheme for facility development. The Foundation's mission is “improving lives through tennis” with a vision of “tennis opened up.” It focuses exclusively on grassroots tennis across Great Britain, particularly targeting diverse and underserved communities where tennis is less established. Through 2023, its funding impacted over 500,000 people, supporting physical and mental health, life skills development, and social connections through tennis-based interventions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Innovate

For innovative projects engaging people likely to experience inequalities of access. Designed to pilot new approaches and test concepts in communities where tennis is underrepresented. As a responsible grant making charity, the Foundation generally won't make an award that's more than 20% of an organisation's previously reported annual income.

Scale

For proven projects ready to expand. Supports organisations with successful pilot programmes to scale their impact across more communities and beneficiaries. Per-year awards generally won't exceed 20% of previous reported annual income.

Recover

Limited emergency funding specifically for tennis charities facing financial challenges.

Quick Access Loan Scheme (separate from grants)

Rolling basis facility development loans with decisions typically within 8 weeks.

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on tennis projects that deliver:

• Physical and mental health improvements - Programmes using tennis to enhance wellbeing, tackle loneliness, reduce risk of falls in older adults
• Life skills development - Projects building character, confidence, and employability skills through tennis
• Social connections - Initiatives reducing isolation and building community cohesion
• Underserved communities - Targeting diverse groups including:
• People living in highest areas of deprivation
• Disabled children, young people, and adults
• LGBTQ+ communities
• Women and girls in underserved areas
• Refugees and asylum seekers
• Ex-offenders
• Young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds

All projects must align with the vision of “tennis opened up” and demonstrate how tennis can genuinely improve lives, not just increase participation numbers.

What They Don't Fund

• International projects
• Organisations not registered in Great Britain
• Individuals
• Private companies limited by shares
• Projects that don't robustly focus on specific groups or societal outcomes
• Activities outside England, Scotland, and Wales (Channel Islands and Isle of Man excluded despite charity registration)

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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees with LTA Operations Ltd as the sole member. The board brings diverse expertise from sports development, finance, philanthropy, and community work.

Board of Trustees:

• Tim Lawler MBE (Chair) - CEO of SportsAid. States: “In simple terms, I believe sport offers the opportunity for anyone to develop the skills for a happy, healthy life....and tennis is the epitome of that!”
• Cynthia Muller - Partner at Haven Green
• Hitesh Patel - Executive Director of Sport for Development Coalition; Chair of Sport 4 Life UK and trustee of Albion Foundation
• Alex Pitt - Co-Founder of Mustard Seed
• Born Barikor - CEO of Our Parks Ltd
• Chris Mills - Research Associate at IVAR (Institute for Voluntary Action Research)
• Sandi Procter - LTA President
• Simon Steele - LTA Finance Director
• Olly Scadgell - LTA Participation Director

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. Tim Lawler emphasises the Foundation's values: “diversity drives excellence” and notes that trustees must "commit time; you need to be there in person... and you need to care about what you're doing."

How to Apply to Lta Tennis Foundation

How to Apply

Applications are submitted fully online through the Foundation's website. The process begins with a short eligibility checker (approximately 1 minute) which directs applicants to the appropriate application form based on their organisation type and project.

Application Portal: Start at https://www.lta.org.uk/what-we-do/lta-tennis-foundation/grant-making-framework/

Application Features:

• Online portal with save and return functionality
• Application form designed to be as simple as possible, following IVAR's eight commitments around open and trusted grant making
• Forms are proportionate and respectful of applicants' time

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a properly constituted organisation (having Constitution, Articles of Association, or rules in place)
• Eligible types: Registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies, schools, colleges, universities, local authorities
• Must be registered in Great Britain
• Projects must align with “tennis opened up” vision and “improving lives through tennis” mission

Assessment Process:

1. Applications initially assessed by LTA colleagues
2. Recommendations made to Foundation's Board of Trustees
3. Trustees make final decisions
4. Rigorous evaluation against key themes: eligibility, assurance, capability, relevance, benefits, and value

Decision Timeline

Typical Timeline: Decisions typically communicated within 8 weeks of application submission (based on Quick Access Loan timeline; grant timelines may vary)

Funding Rounds: The Foundation operates funding rounds with specific closing dates. Applications close when rounds are announced, with the next round dates published on the website.

Notification: Successful and unsuccessful applicants notified via email following trustee decisions.

Success Rates

Based on available data from funding rounds:

• In one round: 27 organisations applied, 12 were successful (44% success rate)
• In another round: 29 applications submitted, £1.5 million awarded
• In 2023 (first year): 32 organisations funded with £2.3 million
• Seven organisations funded in third round

The Foundation demonstrates support for ongoing partnerships - several organisations initially received “Innovate” grants to pilot projects, then were awarded “Scale” funding to expand successful initiatives.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy or waiting period is publicly documented. The Foundation has demonstrated willingness to fund organisations multiple times, with successful pilot projects (Innovate grants) progressing to Scale funding. For questions about reapplication, contact info@ltatennisfoundation.org.uk.

Application Success Factors

Mission Alignment is Critical

Tim Lawler, Foundation Chair, emphasises: “Our priority will be to support the grassroots of the game, with a particular focus on diverse and disadvantaged communities where the game is less well established and the opportunity to get involved has been limited...In short, we want as many people as possible to share in the enjoyment and benefits of taking part in tennis.”

Applications must demonstrate robust focus on how tennis will genuinely improve lives - not just increase participation. The Foundation evaluates against specific societal outcomes.

Evidence of Impact on Underserved Groups

Successful projects clearly demonstrate how they'll reach communities experiencing inequalities. Recent funded projects include:

• The King's Trust - Opening career pathways for young people from underserved communities
• HACRO - Supporting ex-offenders through tennis and mentoring
• Living Well UK - Supporting children in temporary accommodation
• Arden Active - Delivering tennis for Ukrainian refugees
• LUSU Sports - Tackling loneliness in older adults through tennis

Proven Track Record or Innovation

Scale applicants must demonstrate proven success ready for expansion. Innovate applicants should show innovative approaches to engaging new audiences. The Foundation funded organisations ranging from established charities to smaller community interest companies piloting new concepts.

Partnership and Collaboration

The Foundation values “partnering with people and organisations” and working with “community-embedded experts.” Applications demonstrating collaboration with local organisations, understanding of community needs, and embedded local presence tend to succeed.

Evaluation Capability

All grantees receive support from Bean Research to develop evaluation approaches. Applications should demonstrate willingness to measure social value and impact. The Foundation emphasises “proportionate reporting” - they don't expect overly burdensome evaluation but do want to understand collective impact.

Clear Organisational Capability

The Foundation assesses “assurance” and “capability” as key themes. Applications must demonstrate the organisation can deliver the proposed project, manage funding responsibly, and sustain impact. Proper governance structures (Constitution, Articles, etc.) are essential.

Language That Resonates

Use Foundation terminology: “tennis opened up,” “improving lives through tennis,” “diverse and underserved communities,” “societal outcomes,” “inequalities of access.” Avoid simply talking about increasing participation - focus on life-changing benefits.

What Makes Applications Stand Out

The Foundation follows IVAR's principles of “open and trusted grant making,” seeking:

• Honesty about challenges and realistic project plans
• Clear understanding of target community needs
• Measurable societal outcomes beyond tennis participation
• Sustainability plans beyond grant funding
• Willingness to share learning with other organisations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus on social impact, not just tennis participation - The Foundation wants evidence of how tennis will improve lives, develop skills, and address inequalities, not just player numbers
• Target underserved communities specifically - Generic community tennis projects are less competitive than those targeting disabled people, high-deprivation areas, refugees, LGBTQ+ groups, or other underserved populations
• Consider the pilot-to-scale pathway - Innovate grants can lead to Scale funding if successful, offering a pathway for growing organisations
• Start with the eligibility checker - The 1-minute eligibility checker ensures you complete the right application form and don't waste time on ineligible applications
• Demonstrate evaluation readiness - While reporting is proportionate, successful applicants show willingness to measure and learn from their impact with Bean Research support
• Align explicitly with Foundation language - Use their exact terminology (“tennis opened up,” “improving lives through tennis”) throughout your application to demonstrate mission alignment
• Build relationships through their network - The Foundation partners with organisations in the sport for development sector; connecting with their existing grantees may provide insights and collaboration opportunities
• 20% rule limits grant size - The Foundation generally won't award more than 20% of your organisation's annual income, so plan accordingly

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Charles Hayward Foundation
• Bbc Children In Need
• Barchester Healthcare Foundation
• Santander Uk Foundation Limited
• Wooden Spoon Society
• Societe Generale Uk Foundation
• The Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust
• British Motor Sports Training Trust
• The Pargiter Trust
• The Pets At Home Foundation

References

1. LTA Tennis Foundation - Grant Making Framework. https://www.lta.org.uk/what-we-do/lta-tennis-foundation/grant-making-framework/

1. Charity Commission - LTA Tennis Foundation (1148421). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1148421&subid=0

1. LTA Tennis Foundation - About Us. https://www.lta.org.uk/what-we-do/lta-tennis-foundation/about-us/

1. LTA Tennis Foundation - Governance & Structure. https://www.lta.org.uk/what-we-do/lta-tennis-foundation/governance-structure/

1. “Improving lives through tennis – LTA Tennis Foundation launches.” LTA. February 22, 2023. https://www.lta.org.uk/news/lta-tennis-foundation-launch/

1. “LTA Tennis Foundation announces funding has impacted over half a million people in 2023.” LTA. https://www.lta.org.uk/news/lta-tennis-foundation-announces-funding-has-impacted-over-half-a-million-people-in-2023/

1. "LTA Tennis Foundation's Chair discusses why he believes sport has the power to change lives." LTA. https://www.lta.org.uk/news/lta-tennis-foundations-chair-discusses-why-he-believes-sport-has-the-power-to-change-lives/

1. “LTA Tennis Foundation awards a further seven grants to improve lives through tennis.” LTA. https://www.lta.org.uk/news/lta-tennis-foundation-awards-a-further-seven-grants-to-improve-lives-through-tennis/

1. “LTA Tennis Foundation announces over £700,000 in funding to organisations improving lives through tennis.” LTA. https://www.lta.org.uk/news/lta-tennis-foundation-announces-over-700000-in-funding-to-organisations-improving-lives-through-tennis/

1. “Grants announced by LTA Tennis Foundation to improve lives through tennis.” LTA. https://www.lta.org.uk/news/grants-announced-by-lta-tennis-foundation-to-improve-lives-through-tennis/

1. “LTA Tennis Foundation celebrates another impactful year.” LTA. https://www.lta.org.uk/news/lta-tennis-foundation-celebrates-another-impactful-year/