by Doreen Martel

Created on: January 16, 2010   Last Updated: January 22, 2012

Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) started many years after the founding of Lions Clubs International. While Lions Clubs International was founded in 1917 by Melvin Jones, LCIF was founded in 1968.  LCIF was started for the sole purpose of enabling Lions to help with larger projects. The very first grant made by Lions Clubs International Foundation was in the modest amount of $5,000 and was to help a flooded area. Since that date, Lions Clubs International Foundation has grown into the number one Non-Government Organization (NGO) and has donated more than $680 million dollars worldwide.  On average, $30,000,000 in grants are awarded annually.

Programs of LCIF

The Lions SightFirst program was launched in 1990.  The sole purpose of this initiative was to carry out the challenge laid out by Helen Keller so many years ago. To help eliminate and eradicate preventable blindness. Since the early days of SightFirst, Lions Clubs International Foundation has raised nearly $350,000,000. Programs include women's health issues that lead to blindness (including diabetes), river blindness, diabetic retinopathy and a variety of other eye related issues including glaucoma and cataracts.

Where grants go

Lions Clubs International Foundation grants are targeted grants. Individual Lions Clubs, Districts and Multiple Districts can raise matching funds for various programs. Lions have utilized LCIF grants to help provide housing, food, clothing and other disaster relief work. Other grants go towards funding hospitals,eye equipment, and traveling vans that provide vision screenings free of charge.

Administration

Lions Clubs International insists that one hundred percent of all donations to the foundation go towards grants. All administrative costs associated with the foundation are paid from the interest earned from donations. That means that every dime that is contributed to Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) goes towards the efforts to directly help those in need.

Recognition

Lions Clubs International is recognized world wide as a leader among non profit organizations.  LCIF was recognized by the Financial Times in 2007 as one of the best NGOs (Non Governmental Organization).  In 2008, Lions Clubs International Foundation was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize by former President Jimmy Carter himself a Lion. 

In January of 2009, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) received from former President Jimmy Carter the Gift of Sight statue to recognize the efforts of LCIF in helping to address river blindness in Africa.  Charity Navigator, awarded LCIF four stars, the highest ranking a charity is able to receive in September of 2009, even higher than the Red Cross and Christian Relief Charities..

Impact

While many charities cannot tell you exactly the impact they have, Lions Clubs International Foundation shows you through the use of a slide show which can be seen on the LCIF website.   In addition, you can see individual stories of people touched by the programs of LCIF.   

Lions Clubs International remains one of the largest fraternal organizations.  The impact of Lions through Lions Clubs International Foundation can be felt internationally.  Programs such as Habitat for Humanity, United Nations Day, Lions Quest and Leos Clubs, are just a few of the reasons why Lions continue to make a difference every day. 

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