The Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1.6M
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: £3,800 - £7,600
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales (registered), with international reach (US/UK partnerships)
• Number of Partner Charities: 35 organisations

Contact Details

Registered Address: 125 Wood Street, London EC2V 7AW

Phone: 020 7457 3000

Email: Not publicly available

Website: No dedicated website

Note: The foundation operates through networking and personal relationships rather than open solicitation. Organisations seeking funding should be prepared to connect through existing networks in international education and cultural exchange.

Overview

The Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation (charity number 1152058) was established approximately five years before the death of Sir Cyril Taylor in 2018, founder and chairman of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS). Registered on 16 May 2013, the foundation was fully funded with personal assets left by Sir Cyril and receives annual dividends from AIFS. The foundation distributes approximately £1.6M annually to charitable organisations, working with a network of 35 different charities across the US and UK. The foundation operates with no permanent staff to minimise administrative costs, ensuring maximum funds reach beneficiaries. It continues Sir Cyril Taylor's lifelong commitment to international education, cultural exchange, and bringing the world together through educational opportunities for underserved students.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation does not operate fixed grant programmes with open applications. Instead, it works through an established network of partner organisations:

• Institutional Scholarships: Up to £7,600 per institution to award scholarships to disadvantaged or underrepresented students (UK students studying in US, American students studying in UK)
• Small Organisation Grants: Starting from £3,800 for grassroots educational charities
• Programme Grants: Variable amounts for specific initiatives supporting cultural exchange and international education
• Individual Scholarship Programmes: £7,600 (academic year), £3,800 (semester), £760-£2,850 (summer programmes)

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses exclusively on international education and cultural exchange:

• Scholarships for disadvantaged and underrepresented students in international education
• US-UK educational exchange programmes (bilateral)
• Support for students from underserved communities: including students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), refugees, displaced students, and students from low-income backgrounds
• Cultural exchange and global understanding initiatives
• Teacher development programmes focused on global citizenship
• Richmond, The American International University in London (founding mission)
• Emergency student funds for students in crisis
• Programmes in less common study abroad locations (e.g., Africa)

Recent Grant Examples:

• Cultural Vistas: HBCU students to study in East Africa
• Joy Worldwide Inc.: Study abroad scholarships for African American students
• Fund for Education Abroad: £38,000 annual gift for US students studying in UK
• American International Recruitment Council (AIRC): Institutional scholarships for UK students to study in US
• Institute for International Education (IIE)
• Teens of Colour Abroad (TOCA)

What They Don't Fund

• Domestic-only education programmes
• Organisations without 501c3 status (or UK equivalent)
• General operating costs (preference for direct student support)
• Programmes unrelated to international education or cultural exchange
• Individual applications (grants are made to organisations, not individuals)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The foundation has 15 trustees, exceeding the Charity Commission's recommended maximum of 12, suggesting a well-engaged and diverse board in terms of age and gender. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Key Leadership

William (Bill) Gertz - Chairman of AIFS and Trustee of CTCF

Bill Gertz has been with AIFS since 1984, promoted to Vice President in 1990, Chief Operating Officer in 1998, President and CEO in 2005, and Chairman in 2018 following Sir Cyril Taylor's death. As chairman, Gertz is personally involved in the selection and approval of organisations receiving grants and focuses on strategic planning and identifying organisations seeking grants.

Quote from Bill Gertz:

"We're unique in what we do. None of our competitors do anything like this... Sir Cyril didn't want funds going toward administration costs."

Foundation Philosophy

The foundation operates with minimal overhead, maintaining no permanent staff. This structure ensures that the maximum amount of funding goes directly to scholarships and programmes rather than administrative expenses.

How to Apply to The Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation

How to Apply

Important: The Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation does not operate an open application process. Instead, it develops its list of organisations through networking and personal relationships.

Key Application Details:

• Organisations must have 501c3 status (US) or be registered charities (UK)
• The foundation currently works with 35 established partner charities
• Selection happens through personal networking and meetings with Bill Gertz and other trustees
• The foundation is not seeking “thousands of proposals every year” to avoid administrative burden

For Organisations Seeking Funding:

• Build relationships within the international education and cultural exchange sector
• Network at conferences and events related to study abroad and international education
• Connect with existing CTCF partner organisations
• Focus on demonstrated impact with disadvantaged and underrepresented students
• Emphasise cultural exchange and global understanding in your mission

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on its own timeline based on relationship development and strategic priorities.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. With only 35 partner organisations out of thousands of international education charities globally, the foundation is highly selective but works closely with chosen partners.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Given the relationship-based model, organisations are more likely to develop ongoing partnerships rather than submit repeated applications.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Based on Bill Gertz's interviews and the foundation's grant history:

1. Focus on underserved populations: The foundation prioritises programmes that serve disadvantaged students, including those from low-income backgrounds, underrepresented minorities, refugees, and displaced students.

1. Cultural exchange and diversity: Organisations promoting diversity in international education and fostering global understanding are strongly favoured.

1. Small and grassroots organisations: The foundation explicitly supports smaller organisations that may not have access to large funding sources.

1. Direct student impact: Programmes that put funding directly into student scholarships rather than administrative costs align with the foundation's philosophy.

1. Educational travel charities: Organisations focused on study abroad, student exchange, and international education experiences.

1. Innovation in locations: Programmes offering opportunities in less common destinations (not just traditional Western European locations).

Recent Funding Examples

• Cultural Vistas: Scholarships for HBCU students to travel to East Africa for short-term immersion courses
• Joy Worldwide Inc.: Education, advocacy, and scholarship programmes for African American students pursuing study abroad
• Fund for Education Abroad: £38,000 annual gift for American students to study in the UK
• AIRC member institutions: Nine US universities received institutional scholarships
• Teens of Colour Abroad (TOCA): Supporting diversity in international education
• Emergency student funds: Programmes helping students in crisis situations

Strategic Guidance

• Emphasise diversity and inclusion: Programmes should demonstrate commitment to serving underrepresented populations in international education.
• Show cost-effectiveness: Explain how funding will be maximised for direct student benefit with minimal administrative overhead.
• Build personal relationships: Given the networking-based selection model, attend international education conferences, connect with AIFS leadership, and engage with existing partners.
• Focus on cultural exchange: Frame programmes in terms of building global understanding and cross-cultural competence.
• Demonstrate sustainability: Show how programmes will continue to impact students beyond initial funding.

Foundation's Mission Statement

The foundation exists “to further charitable purposes and make donations to charitable institutions to advance education of students of Richmond, The American International University in London; and charities for intercultural activities, education and international education and children in care.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Relationship-first approach: This foundation does not accept cold applications. Building relationships within the international education sector and connecting with AIFS leadership is essential.

• Alignment with core mission: Your organisation must focus on international education, cultural exchange, and serving disadvantaged/underrepresented students. Domestic-only programmes will not be considered.

• 501c3 status required: Ensure your organisation has proper charitable status (501c3 in US or registered charity in UK).

• Small to mid-size organisations favoured: The foundation explicitly supports grassroots organisations and those that may not have access to large institutional funders.

• Zero administrative tolerance: With no staff and trustee volunteers, the foundation values efficiency. Demonstrate how your organisation maximises direct student impact.

• Long-term partnership potential: Rather than one-off grants, the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with 35 core partners. Position your organisation for sustained collaboration.

• US-UK connections: Given the foundation's roots (UK-registered charity funded by US company AIFS), programmes fostering US-UK educational exchange are particularly aligned with mission.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Wellington Management Uk Foundation
• The Rory And Elizabeth Brooks Foundation
• Sloane Robinson Foundation
• The Rumi Foundation
• Northern Consortium
• The Hinduja Foundation
• The Bryan Adams Foundation
• Thriplow Charitable Trust
• The Graham Kirkham Foundation
• Black Heart Foundation (uk) Limited

References

1. The Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity Details for The Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation (1152058)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1152058

Accessed: October 2025

1. Companies House - THE CYRIL TAYLOR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION (08524472)

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08524472

Accessed: October 2025

1. ACIS Educational Tours - “Paying Travel Forward: A Conversation with AIFS Chairman Bill Gertz about The Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation (CTCF)”

https://acis.com/blog/cyril-taylor-charitable-foundation-conversation/

Accessed: October 2025

1. Cultural Vistas - “Cultural Vistas and the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation Bring HBCU Students to the Continent of Africa for an Immersive Global Experience”

https://culturalvistas.org/impact-learning/news-stories/cultural-vistas-and-the-cyril-taylor-charitable-foundation-bring-hbcu-students-to-the-continent-of-africa-for-an-immersive-global-experience

Accessed: October 2025

1. Fund for Education Abroad - “Fund for Education Abroad Introduces Scholarships for Study in UK with Gift from the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation”

https://fundforeducationabroad.org/fund-education-abroad-introduces-scholarships-study-uk-50000-annual-gift-cyril-taylor-charitable-foundation/

Accessed: October 2025

1. American International Recruitment Council (AIRC) - “AIRC Announces the Institutional Recipients of The Sir Cyril Taylor Memorial Scholarship for Study in the United States”

https://www.airc-education.org/airc-announces-the-institutional-recipients-of-the-sir-cyril-taylor-memorial-scholarship-for-study-in-the-united-states-february-2025

Accessed: October 2025

1. Joy Worldwide Inc. - “Joy Worldwide Inc. Awarded Grant from The Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation”

https://www.joyworldwideinc.com/press/joy-worldwide-inc-awarded-grant-from-the-cyril-taylor-charitable-foundation

Accessed: October 2025

1. American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) - “Impact AIFS - The Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation”

https://www.aifs.com/ctcf-info-impact-aifs.asp

Accessed: October 2025

1. American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) - “Sir Cyril Taylor, AIFS Founder and Chairman”

https://www.aifs.com/cyril_taylor.asp

Accessed: October 2025

1. The PIE News - “AIRC announces Sir Cyril Taylor institutional scholarships”

https://thepienews.com/airc-announces-2023-sir-cyril-taylor-institutional-scholarship-recipients/

Accessed: October 2025