SightFirst Int’l Assistance Emergency Major Catastrophe Core 4 Standard Understanding LCIF Grant Opportunities

LCIF Grant Programs -- Overview (Non-Disaster Grants) l Standard Grants: Matching grants of up to $75,000 for local humanitarian service projects. (2 per district) l Core 4 Grants: Funds special projects in eyesight, disability, health, and youth (1 per district). Grants up to $200,000. l SightFirst Grants: Blindness prevention and sight restoration projects in neediest areas l International Assistance Grants: Supports club twinning projects; Grants up to $30,000 (1 per district)

Standard Grants  Broadest category of LCIF funding 151 grants in LY for $7.1 million 151 grants in LY for $7.1 million  Matching funds up to US$75,000  Supports larger-scale Lions humanitarian projects too big for local clubs to do alone  Bottom Up: Lions districts identify and develop projects  Two allowed per district at a time

Typical Standard Grant Projects l Mobile Health Units l Hospices, Nursing Homes l Street Children’s Homes l Medical Units l Blind and Disabled Welfare Centers l Eye Clinics and Research Centers l Schools in Developing Countries

Standard Grants: Key Criteria Funding parameters l Primarily capital funding only (bricks and mortar) l Funding is for specific projects (not general operating support) l Must address important humanitarian need l Serves a large population l Cost must be beyond local fundraising capabilities l Cost-effectiveness imp. Key Rules: l Many clubs need to be involved (min 2-3) l Application must be endorsed by district cabinet l Budget must show significant funding from local Lions organizations l Project must have a strong Lions identity and Lions volunteer involvement

District Governors’ Review: What should you look for in a budget? Budget Parameters Income and expense budget needed Budget must balance Lions funding should be itemized (# clubs?) Indicate Status of each funding source Invoices required for items listed in the expense budget Income 15 clubs (collected) $12,000 District (pledged) 2,000 Community (collected) 500 (anticipated) 1,500 (anticipated) 1,500 LCIF request 14,000 TOTAL 28,000 Expense 2 vision testers $11,000 1 hearing machine 8,000 Refurbish exam room 9,000 TOTAL 28,000

Standard Grant Review and Approval l Applications due 60 days before board mtg; those received early have a faster review l Staff pre-reviews applications; clarifications and changes may be requested l LCIF Exec. Committee reviews applications that meet all preliminary requirements. l Applications are either approved (sometimes with conditions), tabled (pending further information) or denied l LCIF Grant money is not disbursed until local funds are collected

Core 4 Grants l Narrower focus than Standard grants l Supports special initiatives under the four primary service commitments of Lions: l 1 to 2 funding priorities adopted under each of the 4 areas on a rotating basis l Grants are given on a 3-to-1 matching basis in most instances (25% local funding) Preserving Sight Promoting Health Serving Youth Combating Disability

Current Core 4 Funding Priorities Preserving Sight »Low Vision Projects »Children’s Eye Photoscreening Combating Disability »Partnership with Habitat for Humanity »Partnership with Special Olympics “Opening Eyes” Promoting Health »Diabetes Prevention and Treatment Serving Youth »Lions Quest (moratorium)

How does Core 4 work? l Grants can only be awarded to the board- designated Core 4 Funding Priorities l Funding priorities target urgent needs and new opportunities for humanitarian service. l Separate grants forms exist for each funding priority (Contact LCIF or go to l Some funding priorities are limited to multiple and single districts l Unlike Standard grants, Core 4 can fund some project operating expenses; also local monies can be raised over life of project

International Assistance Grants (IAG) l Smaller grants to support international twinning-type projects l Lions club/districts in 2 countries join together l Sponsor club raises some funding and applies for grant; host club helps implement l Grants are between $5,000 and $30,000; l Grants $10,000 and under reviewed continually

Typical IAG Projects l Eyeglass and medical missions l Clean water and wells l Equipment for Blind and Disability Rehab Ctrs and Disability Rehab Ctrs l Environmental Protection l Rural Development

Emergency Grants l LCIF’s first-line response to disaster situations l $10,000 available to districts affected by natural disasters l Lions purchase supplies to meet immediate needs: »food, water »clothing, bedding »medicines »hygiene products

Regulations for Emergency Grants l Disaster must be large in scope, displacing or affecting many people (50 or more) l LCIF funds Lions-led relief activities l Grant must be requested within days of disaster l Funds must be spent within 30 days l One grant per disaster Taiwan: Bedding for Quake Victims in Shelters