Although Lions reside all around the world, they know they are a part of an international family. Lions are able to bring that family a little closer together through humanitarian service made possible by International Assistance Grants (IAGs). IAGs enable Lions clubs in developed countries to partner with Lions clubs in lesser-developed regions on projects that make a real difference for communities. IAGs fund basic health care, education and literacy, clean water and sanitation, rural development and self-sufficiency programs, services for people who are blind and otherwise disabled, and environmental protection.

IAGs can also be considered for Lions' international medical missions and larger-scale Lions' eyeglass recycling centers that have a demonstrable impact on serving Lions in developing countries.

The IAG program awards grants between US$5,000 and US$30,000 on a matching basis. A district may have only one IAG in process or approved at any one time.

Examples of recent International Assistance Grants include:

• US$21,559 awarded to the Nagoya Minato Lions Club in Japan, District 334-A for a clean water project in Cambodia, which will supply clean drinking water to more than 5,000 schoolchildren on a daily basis.
  
  
• A US$18,600 grant was awarded to the Barnstable-Yarmouth Lions Club from District 33-S in Massachusetts, USA, to support community outreach and training at the Svay Rieng Eye Unit in Cambodia.
                                              
  
• District 27-A1 in Wisconsin, USA, was awarded a US$30,000 grant to complete an eye care mission in the Dominican Republic. The Lions of District 27-A1 will work with the Lions of District R-3 to conduct eye screenings, distribute eyeglasses and perform cataract and ptygerium surgeries.