The LCIF Annual Report 2018 - 2019

Since 1968, LCIF has dedicated our energies to increasing the ability of Lions everywhere, helping them empower the communities they serve. With every grant we give, our history grows, along with the impact of Lions. Today, we could not be more proud of where we stand, or more excited about the future of our work.

DID YOU KNOW?

The vast majority of funding LCIF receives is from Lions.

DID YOU KNOW?

100% of every donation supports Lions service through LCIF grants and programs.

DID YOU KNOW?

LCIF has awarded over US$1.1 billion – funding more than 15,000 projects around the globe.

Today, Lions and LCIF – the only foundation supporting Lions service on a global scale – continue a shared commitment to our world in need through Campaign 100: LCIF Empowering Service. LCIF’s comprehensive capital campaign ensures Lions continue to serve hundreds of millions of people. Lions' goals are expansive, and no individual Lion, club, or district can achieve them alone; but together with LCIF, we can help make the world a healthier, happier place.

OUR CAMPAIGN 100 GOALS

1. Increase Service Impact – LCIF supports Lions’ commitment to their communities, creating greater impact in the areas of vision, youth, disaster relief and humanitarian efforts.

2. Fight Diabetes – LCIF is helping Lions reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve quality of life for those diagnosed.

3. Expand to Additional Global Causes – LCIF is helping Lions identify areas of great need and opportunity in the cause areas of childhood cancer, hunger, and the environment; conduct pilot projects to develop expertise; and develop sustainable and long-term local and global programs.

ACROSS THE GLOBE, CHALLENGES ARE GREAT

• Humanitarian Efforts: Each day, 300 people die from measles

• Disaster Relief: Weather-related disasters have grown more than 50% over the last 40 years

• Vision: 2.2 billion people have vision impairment or blindness

• Youth: Nearly 1/3 of young teens worldwide have recently experienced bullying

• Diabetes: 1 in 11 people has diabetes

• Childhood Cancer: 300,000 children age 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer each year

• Hunger: ~1 in 9 people lacks enough food to be healthy and active

• Environment: By 2025, 2 in 3 people may face a water shortage

Sources: World Health Organization, United Nations, Food Aid Foundation, World Wildlife Fund

Grant Types

There are grants to cover the wide variety of Lion service. Chances are, there’s something that aligns with service your district is interested in doing.

MATCHING GRANTS

Matching grants are for larger-scale humanitarian projects that help communities gain access to education, technology, health care, safe places for children to play, and many other life-changing improvements.

LIONS QUEST GRANTS

Lions Quest grants allow schools to establish and expand the Lions Quest curriculum.

DIABETES GRANTS

Diabetes grants allow implementation of projects that raise awareness of diabetes, expand access to care, and improve the quality of life for those diagnosed.

SIGHTFIRST GRANTS

SightFirst grants fight avoidable blindness, provide care for those who are blind or visually impaired, and develop infrastructure for comprehensive eye care systems.

LEO SERVICE GRANTS

Leo service grants allow Leos to plan larger humanitarian initiatives providing the opportunity to make a bigger impact.

DISASTER GRANTS

Disaster grants allow Lions to provide immediate and continued support to victims of natural disasters through Disaster Preparedness grants, Emergency grants, Community Recovery grants, and Major Catastrophe grants.

DISTRICT & CLUB COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS

District & Club Community Impact grants transform 15 percent of unrestricted club and district contributions to LCIF into grants, which fund local projects.

Through the District & Club Community Impact Grants (DCG) program, 15 percent of unrestricted contributions to LCIF from a club or district may be transformed into grants which fund projects at a club or district level. Qualifying donations may be made throughout the year. Those funds are available for a grant to the club or district the following Lion year.

Before a club can apply for a DCG, there is a minimum donation requirement of US$5,000 in one year. For districts, there is a minimum requirement of US$10,000 in one year.

The DCG program helps Lions provide many forms of service such as comforting a sick child, planting trees in a local park, or purchasing nutritious food for hungry neighbors. For more information, visit lionsclubs.org/dcg.

Life Cycle of a Grant

A grant from LCIF empowers Lions to take their impact further. Curious about how grants work? Take a look at our grant life cycle—from project conception to completion.

LCIF is Making a Difference

SHE CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW

Seven-year-old Vivian had never complained of poor eyesight, and it hadn’t affected her schoolwork or playtime. One afternoon, Vivian’s school hosted a free vision screening, KidSight USA, sponsored by Naugatuck, Connecticut’s local Lions Club.

During the routine screening, Lions volunteers discovered an issue in Vivian’s vision that was previously undetected. Upon receiving the Lions’ findings, Vivian’s mother, Sarah, took her daughter for a professional eye exam. Her daughter was diagnosed with refractive amblyopia, known as “lazy eye.”

Refractive amblyopia is caused by one eye having significant uncorrected near-or farsightedness, or a substantial astigmatism. Because the other eye does not have these issues, the brain relies solely on the “good” eye. As a result, the afflicted eye becomes “lazy” from disuse. If left uncorrected, amblyopia can lead to permanently reduced vision.

Vivian’s vision was easily corrected with prescription eyeglasses. Now aware of the issue, her eye doctor will monitor Vivian’s eye health through regular checkups.

“I’m writing as a tremendously grateful parent! Without your foundation and the Connecticut Eye Research Foundation, my daughter's diagnosis would not have been determined. She has seen an eye doctor and will get the necessary treatment to improve her impaired vision. THANK YOU for giving my daughter a better quality of life because of your foundation’s kindness and concern for the wellbeing of our children! Gratefully and Respectfully, Sarah”

Sight is precious. Every year, LCIF empowers Lions to help people worldwide identify and address vision issues.

SCREENING VISION IN BURKINA FASO

François couldn’t see clearly more than 10 inches (25 cm) ahead. Yet, the 65-year-old man left his village at four o’clock in the morning to travel on his motorbike 29 miles (45 km). The trip was not easy. The road was rocky and in dangerous condition. He had a few mishaps along the way and followed other motorists closely so he knew where to go. He hoped the risks would be worth it.

François’ friend mentioned a clinic where he could have his vision screened at no cost and purchase an affordable pair of eyeglasses. Lions of Burkina Faso used a US$110,746 LCIF SightFirst grant to build optical clinics in areas of their country where eye care was unavailable or unaffordable. The two-year project, which began in 2018, will screen the vision of 124,000 people and will distribute 26,400 pairs of glasses.

When François arrived at the clinic, an optician screened his vision and determined the correct prescription for his first pair of eyeglasses. François was able to purchase the eyeglasses for 5,000 CFA (just US$10). When he put them on, he smiled. He told the optician he could see everything perfectly.

François left on his motorbike and headed home. This time, he didn’t need to follow anyone.

SKILLS FOR GROWING PROGRAM PROVIDES A BRIGHT FUTURE

In Montevideo, Uruguay, there is an elementary school full of bright, young children. However, in a community with issues such as violence and drugs, it can be difficult for the kids to stay focused in school and out of trouble.

Lions Quest Skills for Growing program is changing the school environment. The program focuses on the potential of the children and directs their energies into becoming capable young people with a sense of direction and a strong commitment to their families, schools, and communities.

“The changes we notice through the program are evident. There is a before and after,” says Maria Bethania Rattia, a teacher at the school. “Implementing the program was not hard because we were supported by Lions Quest training. It shows you how to go deeper into the subject and articulate what you want to achieve with each activity,” says Rattia.

The students also appreciate the lessons. “I like Lions Quest because it helps you to deal with situations and how to work with others,” says Mikaela, one of the students.

Thanks to Lions Quest, these students are provided the tools needed to lead healthy and successful lives and are on a path to a bright future.