Lions Club Accomplishments - Lions Clubs International Foundation's History

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Grants in Action

513 grants approved in 2011-12, totaling US$55,565,877.00

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LIONS QUEST

“

The students have gotten so much out of Lions Quest. You see it manifested in their understanding of commitment, responsibility and obligation, as well as in their improved behavior and attendance.

”

Michael Bailey

Principal, Raleigh Egypt High School, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

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History

Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) was founded in 1968 to take the mission of Lions Clubs International to new heights by tackling global problems, as well as assisting Lions with large-scale local humanitarian projects. LCIF’s history is filled with high-impact projects, meaningful partnerships and the kindness and efforts of Lions. With continued support, you can count on LCIF to continue and expand programs to improve lives around the world far into the future.

Key LCIF Accomplishments:

1968	LCIF is incorporated as a Foundation.
1972	LCIF awards first grant of US$5,000 for flooding in South Dakota, USA.
1973	The Melvin Jones Fellowship program is created as a way for donors of US$1,000 to be recognized.
1984	LCIF begins partnering with Quest International to implement the youth development program, Lions Quest.
1985	LCIF awards first Major Catastrophe Grant of US$50,000 for earthquake relief in Mexico.
1986	The Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship program is established to give Lions a way to extend their commitment to LCIF.
1987	Campaign SightFirst is launched to raise funds to initiate the SightFirst program.
1989	SightFirst program begins and goes on to prevent serious vision loss of more than 30 million people.
1997	LCIF partners with the China State Council Coordination Committee on Disability for SightFirst China Action.
1999	LCIF embarks on a partnership with The Carter Center to combat river blindness and trachoma in Latin America and Africa. LCIF establishes the Core 4 grant program.
2001	The September 11 Disaster Relief Fund raises US$3 million to help victims. LCIF begins partnership with Special Olympics to provide vision screenings to athletes through the Opening Eyes program. LCIF and the World Health Organization launch the world’s first-ever initiative to combat childhood blindness. To date, 34 pediatric eye care centers have been established or strengthened.
2002	LCIF acquires rights to Lions Quest program. LCIF joins with Johnson & Johnson Vision Care to develop and manage Sight for Kids program to provide vision screenings and eye health education for children in Asia.
2004	Lions mobilize more than US$15 million for South Asian tsunami relief, making this the single largest disaster reconstruction project in LCIF history.
2005	Campaign SightFirst II, LCIF’s most ambitious fundraising campaign ever, kicks off at the Lions International Convention in Hong Kong. Lions raise US$5 million for Hurricane Katrina relief.
2007	LCIF is named the #1 non-governmental organization in the world with which to partner by an independent Financial Times study.
2008	The largest single personal donation of US$3 million is pledged to LCIF. LCIF and Habitat for Humanity partnership builds its 1,000th home. Lions donate US$3 million for China earthquake relief. Lions surpass the Campaign SightFirst II fundraising goal, raising more than US$200 million.
2009	Lions Quest celebrates its 25th anniversary. The program has served 12 million students and 500,000 educators in 66 countries. Lions raise more than US$6 million for Haiti earthquake relief.
2010	Lions provides vision screening to the 211,000th Special Olympics athlete. In partnership with Bausch + Lomb, LCIF launches the Pediatric Cataract Initiative.
2011	The 318,070th Lion becomes a Melvin Jones Fellow and the 58,126th Lion becomes a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. Lions help administer the 148 millionth dose of Mectizan® to treat river blindness. LCIF awards its 10,000th grant, bringing the total amount awarded to US$708 million.