USIC PHILANTHROPY – PART OF OUR DNA

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We are all incredibly fortunate to be a part of the Council of International Lawn Tennis Clubs (IC). The ability to play competitive tennis at the most beautiful clubs in the world and maintain “friendships across the ocean” is very special. Giving back to the game that has meant so much to us is a natural response for an organization like the IC which has made philanthropy one of its top four priorities.

The USIC has been a leader in giving back starting with the Gene Scott Fund in 2008 that initially was created to award scholarships to promising US teen players to attend top tennis training academies. A repositioning of the fund was recently approved to focus on supporting the US teams competing in the IC Rod Laver World Junior Challenge. Funds directed to the Gene Scott Fund will be used to support the travel and housing of the US teams competing in both regional and finals competition.

The USIC Philanthropy effort now has expanded to support programs both domestically and internationally with a particular focus on teaching tennis and life skills to disadvantaged children.

We offer a range of choices to our membership to support their passion within the broad topic of Philanthropy. Options include both international and domestic programs. Our current support efforts include:

International General

International Club Philanthropy Foundation (ICPF) – ICPF was started in 2009 as a separate UK nonprofit foundation with the mission to teach tennis and life skills to disadvantaged children around the world. Today, the ICPF is actively supporting 18 programs in 15 countries with more to programs coming soon. Funds directed to the International Club Philanthropy Foundation support the general fund underwriting grants to the 18 programs in 15 countries.

IC Philanthropy Website

International Specific

The Tennis Rwanda Children’s Foundation is the newest addition to the ICPF family of programs. Started by USIC member Phil Cox and Rwanda’s top female professional tennis player, Joseline Umulisa, the program has grown dramatically from its start in 2022 to currently reaching 2,500 children annually. Funds directed to the Tennis Rwanda Children’s Foundation go to underwriting program expenses in Rwanda.

TRCF Website

Domestic General

USIC General Donations support the fund making grants to domestic programs in the US. Our newest partnership is with the United States Tennis Association Foundation (USTAF) which is the umbrella organization for the 250 National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapters across the country.

USTA Foundation Website

Domestic Specific

Washington Tennis and Education Foundation (WTEF) started in 1955 and has been supporting inner city children for 70 years. Now teaching tennis at two campuses, WTEF also offers after school learning programs at more than 10 schools in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

WTEF Website

The Gene Scott Fund (IC World Junior Challenge)

The USIC board approved a repositioning of the Gene Scott Fund to focus on supporting the US teams competing in the Rod Laver IC Junior Challenge. Funds directed to the Gene Scott Fund will be used to support the travel and housing of the US teams competing in both regional and finals competition.

Story of the IC Junior Challenge