Lions Clubs International Foundation – Building a Stronger Foundation, Creating a Better World
Lions Clubs International Foundation, the official charitable Foundation of Lions Clubs International, brings help, hope and healing to the world. Grant funding is awarded to Lions districts worldwide for large-scale humanitarian projects that address community needs.
The Foundation's mission is to support the efforts of Lions clubs worldwide in serving their local communities and the world community as they carry out essential humanitarian service projects. Through LCIF, Lions tackle global problems such as blindness and hearing loss and respond to major catastrophes such as earthquakes and floods. But LCIF also helps Lions serve their local communities by partnering with them to build schools, health clinics and vocational training centers for the disabled.
LCIF helps people to lead healthier and more productive lives, nurtures the potential of youth, promotes health, serves the elderly, empowers the disabled and helps victims of disasters.
Service has been the hallmark of Lions Clubs International since it was founded in 1917. Lions Clubs International Foundation was begun in 1968 to take that service to new levels by tackling global problems as well as assisting Lions with large-scale local humanitarian projects. Through LCIF, Lions meet the needs of their local and global communities.
Since the first grant of US$5,000 in 1972 for flooding, the Foundation has awarded US$680 million in grants to improve the lives of people worldwide. From modest beginnings, LCIF has evolved to become an internationally recognized humanitarian organization and the largest blindness prevention organization. The majority of funding comes from Lions. LCIF is able to leverage its funds by partnering with other non-governmental organizations and corporations that share a common mission. The Foundation grants, on average, $30 million annually.
LCIF is particularly proud of it SightFirst program, launched in 1990 to reduce and eliminate the causes of preventable blindness worldwide. Lions have raised over $346 million for this initiative. Through SightFirst, Lions are restoring sight and preventing blindness on a global scale. SightFirst targets the major causes of blindness: cataract, trachoma, river blindness, childhood blindness, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
"To support the efforts of Lions clubs worldwide in serving their local communities and the world community as they carry out essential humanitarian service projects."
LCIF Mission Statement
We Give Sight. By equipping hospitals and clinics; training doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers; distributing medicine and raising awareness of eye disease, Lions work toward their mission of providing vision for all.
We Support Youth. Lions help young people mature into solid citizens by constructing schools and youth centers, purchasing computers and health equipment, and supporting vocational training centers as well as Lions Quest.
We Provide Disaster Relief. Together, LCIF and Lions are helping communities following natural disasters by providing for immediate needs such as food, water, clothing and medical supplies and aiding in long-term reconstruction.
We Combat Disability. Through the Foundation, Lions are empowering the disabled to lead more independent, productive and fulfilling lives.
We Serve. Lions continue to serve people in greatest need, both in their local and global communities.
