1. Lions Clubs International Foundation & Your Lions Club

2. Welcome and Introduction

3. LCIF is… A global leader in humanitarian service
Lions helping Lions serve the world
Lions serving your community
Lions serving the world community

4. LCIF… Above all, LCIF is….
Is the official charitable Foundation of LCI
provides grants to assist Lions with large-scale humanitarian projects
Has awarded 9,000 grants totaling more than US$640 million in its 40-year history
Awarded US$41 million in grants in fiscal year alone
Makes miracles possible through the support of Lions and Lions clubs
Above all, LCIF is….

5. Your Foundation!

6. LCIF Facts
LCIF receives no club dues; it is fully supported by the generosity of Lions worldwide.
100% of all donations go directly toward LCIF’s humanitarian projects.
LCIF supports Lions’ efforts to carry out essential humanitarian service in their local and world communities

7. How Does LCIF Help Your District?
Helps Lions respond collectively to major humanitarian concerns in your community and around the world
Enables Lions to help Lions…especially in times of calamity and disaster
Funds projects too big for districts/clubs to do on their own
Develops relevant grant-making initiatives to help Lions better serve the world community

8. Local Service, Global Impact Pillars of Service Through LCIF, Lions…
Preserve Sight
Combat Disability
Promote Health
Serve Youth
Provide Disaster Relief
Local Service,
Global Impact

9. LCIF Preserves Sight
In 1925, Helen Keller challenged Lions to be “Knights of the Blind.” Since then, it has been Lions’ mission to provide “Vision for All.”
Preschool Vision Screenings
Sight For Kids
Partnership with Johnson & Johnson
General eye-care services
SightFirst program

10. LCIF Combats Disability
Special Olympics Opening Eyes Program
Provides athletes with vision testing and eyeglasses
More than 100,000 athletes screened
Habitat for Humanity partnership
Funded the construction of 1,000 homes for people with disabilities
Affordable Hearing Aid Project
Provides high-quality, low-cost hearing aids

11. LCIF Supports Youth Lions Quest Launched in 1984
Teaches life skills, character education, civic values, drug prevention and service-learning education
Active in 44 countries serving more than 11 million youth
LCIF grants have helped build schools, clinics, youth camps and shelters for children

12. LCIF Provides Disaster Relief
LCIF provides emergency assistance when natural disasters strike
Southeast Asia Tsunami
US$15.4 million
Hurricane Katrina
More than US$5 million
Sichuan (China) Earthquake
More than US$2 million
Hundreds of grants awarded for local disasters around the world (earthquakes, floods, etc.)

13. LCIF Grant Programs
Standard Grants: Matching grants of up to US$75,000 for local humanitarian service projects.
Core 4 Grants: Funds special projects in eyesight, disability, health and youth (1 per district) up to US$200,000.
SightFirst Grants: Blindness prevention and sight restoration projects in neediest areas.
International Assistance Grants: Support club twinning projects; US$5,000 to US$30, (1 per district or club annually).

14. Standard Grants Broadest category of LCIF funding
143 grants awarded in totaling US$6.6 million
In to date, 55 grants approved totaling more than US$2.5 million
Standard grants match funds up to US$75,000
Support large-scale Lions’ projects (equipment or construction only- no operating costs)
Bottom Up: Lions identify and develop projects
Provide local impact & community visibility for Lions
A minimum of two clubs are required to apply

15. Standard Grant Review and Approval
Applications due 60 days before LCIF Board meeting; but earlier submission is recommended
LCIF staff pre-reviews applications; clarifications and changes may be requested
LCIF Exec. Committee reviews applications that meet all preliminary requirements
Applications are either:
approved (sometimes with conditions or at a reduced amount)
tabled (pending further information)
or denied
LCIF grant money is not disbursed until local funds are collected

16. Standard Grants in Action
An LCIF grant of US$72,750 and funds raised by the Lions in District 33-A (Massachusetts, USA) were used to refurbish the Clara Barton Camp. Each summer, 400 girls, ages 6 through 16, with Type-I insulin-dependent diabetes attend the camp.
The result: Thanks to Lions, campers meet others with their condition and learn to manage their diabetes.

17. Core 4 Grants
Support special initiatives under the four primary service commitments of Lions:
Preserving Sight
Promoting Health
Serving Youth
Combating Disability
In , LCIF awarded 47 Core 4 grants totaling US$3.7 million
Grants are given on a 3-to-1 matching basis in most instances (25% local funding)

18. Core 4 Funding Priorities
Preserving Sight
Low Vision Projects
Preschool Vision Screening Program (formerly “Photo Screening”)
Combating Disability
Partnership with Habitat for Humanity
Partnership with Special Olympics “Opening Eyes”
Promoting Health
Diabetes Prevention and Treatment
Serving Youth
Lions Quest Program

19. Core 4 Grants in Action
District 14-T (Pennsylvania, USA) Lions and two medical centers organized a mass screening for diabetic retinopathy, a blinding diabetes-related condition. LCIF provided a US$77,000 grant to establish an eye-screening program for diabetic patients in a rural area.
The result: Lions are preventing blindness for many at risk.

20. International Assistance Grants (IAG)
Support for international twinning-type projects
Need Lions club in at least 2 countries to partner (a sponsor and host club)
Sponsor club/district raises some funding and applies for grant; host club helps implement
In , LCIF awarded IAG grants totaling $389,229

21. Examples of IAG projects
Eyeglass and medical missions
Clean water and wells
Equipment for Blindness and Disability Rehab Centers
Environmental Protection
Rural Development

22. Int’l. Assistance Grants in Action
The Lions Club of Issoire, France (District 103-CS) joined the Lions Club of Bamako, Mali (District 403-A), to provide technical assistance and project funding to install local deep-water wells with an IAG approved by LCIF for US$30,000.
The result: Lions bringing clean water and improved health to thousands of people.

23. Emergency Grants Immediate response to natural disasters
Up to US$10,000 available to districts
In alone, LCIF awarded US$1.93 million for 229 disasters around the world
Local Lions purchase & distribute vital supplies to meet immediate needs:
Food and water
Clothing and infant care
First-aid supplies
Hygiene and cleaning supplies

24. Emergency Grant Regulations
Disaster must be large in scope, displacing or affecting or more people
LCIF funds Lions-led relief activities
One grant per district, per disaster
Grant must be requested within 30 days of disaster; funds must be spent within 60 days
May not be used for lodging, building materials or to replace lost or damaged property
Final reports to be submitted to LCIF with receipts for goods purchased by Lions

25. Emergency Grants in Action
“The relief aid from LCIF gave hope and reassurance to the victims that they are not alone…
“There are Lions who care and are willing to share with the less fortunate and victims of natural calamities.”
- Levi Damaso, Jr.
Past District Governor, Philippines
In the Philippines, LCIF provided an Emergency Grant of US$10,000 to aid 1,000 desperate flood victims of Davao City and Davao del Norte.

26. SightFirst Program Grants
SightFirst is LCIF’s flagship blindness prevention program
SightFirst has:
Saved the sight of 27 million people
Prevented vision loss for 30 million
Improved eye-care services for hundreds of millions
Awarded 922 grants totaling US$231 million to 90 countries
US $6: Average cost to save or restore a person’s sight through SightFirst

27. Campaign SightFirst II
Will continue and expand the SightFirst program
Lions worldwide responded to make CSFII LCIF’s greatest success
Raised more than US$200 million, exceeding Lions’ challenge goal
Did Lions in your club and district participate?
Thank you, Lions!

28. Lions’ Historic Generosity
LCIF received record generosity from Lions worldwide through CSFII
More than 60% of Lions worldwide participating
More than 90,000 gifts to CSFII
124 gifts of US$25,000 – US$99,999
91 gifts of US$100,000 or more
US$700,000 gift – Lion Kanaksinh K. Babla, Kenya
US$2,600,000 gift – NORAD, Norway
US$3,000,000 gift – PDG Aruna Oswal & Family, India
US$4,000,000 gift – Moorfields Eye Hospital Foundation Trust, UK
US$7,500,000 gift – GHEF, Kenneth Behring, USA

29. SightFirst grant in Action
“We all know Lions are dedicated to helping us until the blinding parasite disappears completely... Because of Lions, it is now rare to see blind people here.”
-Hilario of Chiapas, Mexico SightFirst patient, river blindness
“I’m very happy to get back my eyesight, I can see clearly, just like my early days. God bless the Lions for the noble work they are doing.”
- Adabala Lakshmi Narasamha, India, SightFirst patient, cataract

30. LCIF Grants in Review
Lions clubs and districts worldwide are eligible to receive LCIF grants
Lions in your area are welcome to apply for LCIF grants
As you serve your local and world communities, LCIF staff and LCIF volunteer coordinators are here to serve and assist you.
Through LCIF grants, Lions are changing the world and changing lives

31. Tips for Grant Applications
Contact LCIF before applying and submit application ASAP
No funding or reimbursement for completed projects
Background info on beneficiary organization
Lions’ financial contributions and involvement
Full contact information and multiple correspondence is needed
Consult past international leadership

32. Tips for Grant Applications
Clearly lay out the project’s objectives, including number of beneficiaries
Fill out the application in its entirety
An income and expense budget is needed; the more income collected, the better
Project must be large-scale and one Lions cannot fund on their own

33. Your club can make a difference through LCIF
Promote LCIF in your community by publicizing Lions’ LCIF accomplishments
Donate to LCIF to ensure programs continue
Honor Roll
Contributing Member
Club Plaque
Corporate Plaque
Melvin Jones Fellowships and Progressive Fellowships
Memorial Donation

34. Ways to promote LCIF Read LCIF features in THE LION Magazine
Share district LCIF news with local media
Track recent grants awarded to your area
Visit for new and free resources:
Lions News Network (LNN) LCIF videos
News releases
Brochures and materials
PowerPoint presentations
Subscribe to Chairperson’s monthly
Recently approved grants

35. Why donate to LCIF? LCIF is Lions helping Lions serve the world
All funds donated to LCIF go toward a grant
Lions’ support is crucial -- donations from Lions provide the majority of LCIF's revenue
The Financial Times ranked LCIF as the #1 non-governmental organization (NGO) worldwide with which to partner

36. Ways to donate to LCIF Fulfill pledges already made to CSFII
Honor Roll
Recognizes individuals donating US$100 to LCIF
Donations can be made in another’s name
Recipients receive an Honor Roll certificate and are added to the Honor Roll at LCI Headquarters
Contributing Members
Donate US$20 or more annually to LCIF
Recognized with pins at three levels of support: US$20, US$50 and US$100
Banner patch and chevron for the first year of 100% Contributing Membership in club

37. Ways to donate to LCIF Memorial Donations Planned Gifts Club Plaque
Recognize individuals who make a donation to LCIF in memory of another
Donor and family receive a card in memory of the person
Planned Gifts
Bequests, wills, charitable gift-annuities, etc.
Club Plaque
Recognize Lions clubs that donate US$1,000 or more to LCIF
Corporate Plaque
Corporations that donate US$1,000 or more to LCIF
Many companies/employers offer matching gift programs

38. Ways to donate to LCIF Melvin Jones Fellowships (MJF)
LCIF’s highest honor and recognizes humanitarian service for LCIF donations of US$1,000
Presented to individuals who donate US$1,000 to LCIF or to individuals for whom a US$1,000 donation was made by others
Installments/pledges toward MJFs are common
Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowships (PMJF) honor those making additional US$1,000 donations to LCIF
MJFs/PMJFs Provide 70% of all LCIF program funding

39. LCIF, Your Foundation Questions? Contact LCIF
LCIF Staff can help and are there to serve you as you serve the world
LCIF Volunteer Coordinators are LCIF Ambassadors
Replace former LCIF Chairperson role
LCIF Coordinators can assist your club and club members with questions, inquiries, donation follow-up, grant applications, etc.

40. LCIF, Your Foundation Thank you, Lions!
Through LCIF, Lions are changing the world and changing lives
Thank you, Lions!

41. Lions Clubs International Foundation & Your Lions Club