Initiatives set to benefit from the funding include those supporting disabled people, lower socio-economic groups, mental health, the rehabilitation of ex-offenders and families living in temporary accommodation.

The foundation is a grant and loan making charity and opened its first application window at the end of last year. In total 29 applications were submitted from a diverse range of organisations and projects including other tennis charities.

Following a rigorous assessment process, a total of £1.5m in grants was approved across three years. Both the organisation and the projects proposed were evaluated against key themes of eligibility, assurance, capability, relevance, benefits and value. There will be a second window for grant applications later this year, which will close in September.

Living Well UK’s Tennis Got Served project will receive funding to support children living in temporary accommodation in developing their physical health and mental wellbeing as well as increasing their confidence, reducing social isolation and bringing together people from different backgrounds.

Access Sport will create and launch a new disability inclusive tennis offer for children and young people.. Initially launching in three target locations across 10 clubs, the one-year test and learn project will enable Access Sport to shape the offer and create a national programme with new resources that will enable them to scale the project nationally.

“By collaborating with other charities and third sector organisations the foundation is challenging the status quo, looking for opportunities to invest in new and innovative projects that will make a real difference through tennis,” said Tim Lawler MBE, LTA Tennis Foundation chair.