The International Foundation For Arts And Culture

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £64,764 (2024)
• Total Income: £104,167 (2024)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified - major institutional partnerships
• Geographic Focus: International (UK, USA, Australia, Japan)
• Application Method: Invitation only / Strategic partnerships

Contact Details

Website: https://ifac-global.org/uk

Phone: 01932 589070

Registration: UK Charity Number 1064735

Note: IFAC does not operate a public application process. Contact details are for general inquiries only.

Overview

The International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC) is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 by Japanese philanthropist Dr. Haruhisa Handa and officially recognized by the Government of Tokyo as a non-profit organization in 1999. The charity operates in the UK (since 2013), USA, Australia, and Japan, with each branch registered as a charity in accordance with local laws. IFAC's mission is to advance human well-being through music and all the arts. The organization operates through strategic partnerships with prestigious cultural institutions rather than open grant-making. The UK branch registered as charity 1064735 is currently reporting on time with the Charity Commission, with three trustees overseeing operations.

Funding Priorities

Funding Approach

IFAC operates through long-term strategic partnerships with established cultural institutions rather than competitive grant programs. The foundation describes its approach as “sponsorship, participation and education” being essential ingredients in its philosophy towards the arts.

Priority Areas

Music & Theatre

• Opera companies and opera education
• Classical music education and performance
• Youth music education programs
• Partnerships with conservatoires and music schools

Visual Arts

• Museum exhibitions and curatorial positions
• Art galleries and cultural centres
• Student art festivals
• Japanese arts and culture promotion

Youth Education

• Partnerships with educational institutions
• Support for emerging artists
• Student development programs
• Arts education at primary and secondary levels

Geographic Focus: IFAC seeks to support the “highest, as well as the most elementary echelons of artistic endeavour” - from supporting the Juilliard School for two decades to funding construction of stages at over 130 major primary schools in China.

Known Beneficiaries (UK)

The British Museum (2013-2019): IFAC funded the IFAC Handa Curator of Japanese Arts position (Nicole Rousmaniere) who enriched the collection and curated special exhibitions including the acclaimed blockbuster “Hokusai: beyond the great wave” and the “Manga” exhibition.

Wells Maltings: IFAC supported the creation of the Handa Gallery, described as "North Norfolk's landmark cultural centre" hosting arts, heritage, and community activities.

The Place London School of Contemporary Dance: Listed as a current partnership.

The Prince's Foundation: Recent partnership in UK & USA.

International Partnerships

• The Juilliard School (USA, since 1999): Dr. Handa made a visionary gift to support the Juilliard Opera Theater and Workshop. Through this 20+ year partnership, Juilliard has brought renowned singers and musicians to work with young singers.

• Opera Australia (since 2012): Partnership created the internationally renowned “Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour.”

• Sing for Hope (USA): Decade-long pledge of support enabling the creation of Sing for Hope's global arts program, HandaHarmony.

• Australian Singing Competition: Youth education support within music and arts.

• International High School Arts Festival (Japan): Ongoing partnership supporting visual arts.

What They Don't Fund

IFAC does not appear to fund:

• Individual artists seeking grants
• Small-scale community projects
• General operating costs for unknown organizations
• Short-term projects
• Organizations without established track records

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (as of 2024)

Brendan Scannell (Trustee, appointed 19 January 2024)

Also serves as trustee of ISPS Power of Sports Fund.

Nilesh Chimanbhai Patel (Trustee, appointed 19 January 2024)

No other trusteeships on record.

Sir Tim Lankester KCB (Trustee, appointed 20 October 2011)

Sir Timothy Patrick Lankester (born 15 April 1942) is a retired British civil servant and the first economic private secretary to Margaret Thatcher. He served as Director and Principal of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London (1996-2000) and President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford (2001-2009). He was Chairman of the Board of Governors of London Contemporary Dance and is Chair of the Wells Maltings Trust, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. He served as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the British Council (1997-2003) and is a member of the Sainsbury Institute Management Board. Also serves as trustee of MBI Al Jaber Foundation.

Founder and Patron

Dr. Haruhisa Handa

Born in 1951 in Japan, Dr. Handa graduated from Doshisha University in Economics, studied vocal music at Musashino Academia Musicae, earned a master's degree in creative arts from WAAPA at Edith Cowan University, and a Ph.D. in Literature from Tsinghua University's Academy of Arts & Design. He has been accredited by the Chinese government as a First Grade National Master of Fine Arts, a First Grade National Opera Singer and a Second Grade National Peking Opera Actor.

Dr. Handa's broader philanthropy has ranged from funding a free hospital to establishing the University of Cambodia, where more than 5,000 students benefit from fully funded scholarships. His arts philanthropy reflects the Japanese philanthropic tradition which “has always gone beyond simply funding the arts, with many significant patrons being artists themselves, integrating financial patronage with the pursuit of artistic excellence.”

Governance Structure

• No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits
• No employees with benefits over £60,000
• No trading subsidiaries
• Charity reporting is current and submitted on time

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

IFAC does not have a public application process. The foundation operates exclusively through strategic partnerships with established cultural institutions selected by the founder and trustees.

All known funding relationships appear to be:

• Initiated by IFAC approaching institutions
• Based on long-term relationships (often 5-10+ years)
• Focused on major cultural institutions with international reputations
• Aligned with Dr. Handa's personal interest in Japanese arts and culture

Organizations seeking support should be aware that IFAC typically commits to multi-year partnerships with specific institutions rather than responding to grant applications.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the research, specific intelligence about how IFAC identifies new partners suggests:

Sir Tim Lankester's Network: As Chair of Wells Maltings Trust and former leader of SOAS and Corpus Christi College, Oxford, Lankester's involvement suggests IFAC may identify opportunities through the professional networks of its UK trustees. Wells Maltings received support, where Lankester serves as Chair.

Japanese Arts Connection: The British Museum partnership (2013-2019) focused specifically on Japanese arts and culture, reflecting Dr. Handa's personal expertise and cultural mission. Organizations with Japanese cultural programming may align with IFAC's interests.

The Prince's Foundation: Recent partnership indicates IFAC is open to new relationships with prestigious institutions that align with their mission.

Institutional Prestige: All known partnerships are with nationally or internationally recognized institutions (Juilliard, British Museum, Opera Australia). IFAC does not appear to work with emerging or small-scale organizations.

Application Success Factors

Characteristics of Successful Partnerships

Based on analysis of IFAC's known partnerships, organizations that receive support share these characteristics:

Institutional Excellence: Every known partner is a nationally or internationally recognized institution with an established reputation (The Juilliard School, British Museum, Opera Australia, The Place London).

Long-term Vision: IFAC commits to decade-long partnerships. The Juilliard partnership began in 1999 and continues 20+ years later. The British Museum partnership lasted six years. Sing for Hope received a decade-long pledge.

Youth Education Focus: Many partnerships emphasize youth development - Juilliard Opera Theater, Australian Singing Competition, International High School Arts Festival, primary schools in China.

Cultural Exchange: Partnerships often facilitate international cultural exchange, particularly promoting Japanese arts and culture to global audiences (British Museum's Japanese collection, Hokusai exhibition).

Named Recognition: IFAC partnerships typically include naming opportunities (IFAC Handa Curator of Japanese Arts, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, Handa Gallery, HandaHarmony program).

Measurable Impact: Partnerships demonstrate significant reach - the British Museum partnership reached 6 million annual visitors; Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is described as “internationally renowned.”

Philosophy and Values

According to IFAC's stated philosophy: "Sponsorship, participation and education are all essential ingredients in his [Dr. Handa's] philosophy towards the arts."

This reflects the Japanese philanthropic tradition where “many significant patrons [are] artists themselves, integrating financial patronage with the pursuit of artistic excellence.” Dr. Handa's credentials as a trained opera singer and visual artist inform his approach.

Strategic Alignment

Organizations benefiting from IFAC support typically offer:

• Platform for promoting excellence in the arts
• Opportunities for Dr. Handa's personal artistic involvement
• Youth education and development components
• International reach and visibility
• Alignment with Japanese cultural heritage

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• IFAC does not accept grant applications - this is a partnership-based funder operating through invitation only
• Focus on major institutions - all known partnerships are with nationally/internationally recognized organizations; not suitable for small or emerging organizations
• Long-term commitments - IFAC makes decade-long commitments rather than short-term grants
• Trustee connections matter - Sir Tim Lankester's role as Chair of Wells Maltings (an IFAC beneficiary) suggests trustee networks influence partnership decisions
• Japanese arts and culture - strong alignment with Japanese cultural heritage, particularly visual arts and opera
• Youth education - consistent emphasis on supporting emerging artists and arts education
• Not a traditional funder - IFAC operates more like a philanthropic foundation making strategic investments than a grant-making trust responding to applications

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - The International Foundation for Arts and Culture
• IFAC UK Homepage
• IFAC Global Homepage
• IFAC Visual Arts Programs
• Dr. Haruhisa Handa Biography
• The Handa Gallery, Wells Maltings
• Sir Tim Lankester - The Place
• Sir Tim Lankester - Wikipedia
• Opera Australia - Featured Partners
• UNICEF, Sing for Hope Handa Harmony, and Juilliard Partnership

Research compiled December 2025