Lions Clubs International Foundation

Every day, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) works to fulfill our mission: "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."

Since our founding in 1968 we have strived to sustain Lions’ humanitarian service goals throughout the world, awarding over 12,000 grants totaling more than US$900 million, in the four key areas of sight, youth, disaster relief and other humanitarian efforts.

We give sight. LCIF is providing vision for those in need all over the world by combating eye diseases, creating infrastructure to improve eye care delivery, increasing the number of trained eye care professionals and making vision care more equitable and sustainable.

We support youth. All young people deserve to have an education, feel cared for and experience healthy development so they can have the chance to achieve their dreams. Through our positive youth development program, Lions Quest, LCIF is helping children learn to work together, make positive decisions and serve their communities. The Foundation also supports youth through constructing schools, youth centers and vocational training centers.

We provide disaster relief. Lions are often some of the first to arrive at a disaster to provide relief, and Foundation support is right there with them. We help devastated communities survive after disasters and bring hope by assisting in long-term efforts of rebuilding of homes and lives.

We address humanitarian needs. From working to combat global health issues such as measles and diabetes to empowering those with disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilling lives, LCIF is dedicated to a range of humanitarian service projects. The Foundation continues to develop and expand programs that meet emerging needs worldwide.

Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) will now be able to help more people than ever before. Melvin Jones Fellowship (MJF) eligibility includes donations to four areas. Donors will be able to receive MJF and PMJF credit when directing their support to:

Area of Greatest Need: Supports all program areas and allows LCIF the flexibility to supplement initiatives where additional funding is necessary or where the need is most urgent. Funds projects that meet diverse community needs beyond sight, disaster and youth, such as the measles program, water wells and vocational training programs for the disabled.

Disaster: Enables LCIF to direct the funds to the areas most in need following disasters to provide for immediate, mid and long-term relief. The Foundation will be able to immediately provide funds for large-scale disaster relief, rather than collecting and distributing funds over a period of weeks or months.

Sight: Funds seek to support hundreds of sight-related activities ranging from equipping eye clinics to providing Braille computers for the visually impaired.

Youth: Supports the Lions Quest program and other initiatives such as educational infrastructure improvements and programs to assist at-risk youth.

Funding directed to “Area of Greatest Need” provides LCIF with the ability to financially support any program within the other four general areas. Donors are encouraged to consider this option when making a gift.