California Lions Foundation

The California Lions Foundation is a U.S. nonprofit organization with the status of a 501(c)(3) corporation. Its mission is to support California Lions Clubs through designated and matching grants, focusing on humanitarian, vision, environmental, disaster relief, and other community service projects.

Purpose and Objectives

The foundation aims to provide financial assistance to Lions Clubs in California, ensuring that funds remain within the state to benefit local communities. It complements grants already available from Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and other local foundations by offering smaller matching grants, ranging from $500 to $5,000, which can support projects not covered by other grant-making organizations.

Grant Criteria

1. Eligibility: Grants are available to California Lions Clubs and districts for projects that align with the foundation's objectives, such as humanitarian aid, environmental conservation, and disaster relief.
2. Matching Funds: Applicants must secure at least 50% of the project's budget through local funds, with the remainder potentially covered by the foundation.
3. Project Scope: Projects should have broad community support and involve significant hands-on participation from Lions members.

Areas of Support

The California Lions Foundation supports a wide range of community projects:

• Humanitarian Projects: Such as distributing gifts and school supplies to families and children in need.
• Environmental Conservation: For example, constructing protective fences for wildlife habitats like the monarch butterfly's wintering grounds.
• Disaster Relief: The foundation can assist in disasters beyond those classified as natural disasters, offering flexibility where LCIF may not be available.
• Education: Supporting educational initiatives such as diabetes education programs in schools.

Funding and Donations

The foundation relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and Lions Clubs. It accepts various forms of donations, including cash, stocks in publicly traded companies, vehicles, and real estate. These donations support the foundation's goal of helping Lions Clubs expand their service impact in California.

Recognition

Donors and supporting clubs can receive recognition as Founding Members or Founding Clubs for significant contributions. This recognition honors those who help establish and grow the foundation's capabilities.