2018-08-20 12:07:11
LCIF LAUNCHES BIGGEST CAPITAL CAMPAIGN EVER
In July, 2018, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) launched Campaign 100: Empowering Service. The US$300 million comprehensive capital campaign is slated to span three years, with an impact expected to last for generations.
The money raised will ensure that Lions have the resources needed to increase their service impact, fight diabetes, and expand their global causes.
The goal is to empower Lions to serve more than 200 million individuals per year by 2021 and ensure that 100 years from now Lions will still be making the world a better place.
LCIF is the philanthropic arm of Lions Clubs International, which means one of its roles is awarding grants where they are most needed, anywhere in the world. By investing more than US$1 billion in grant funding since its founding in 1968, LCIF empowers Lions on a global scale.
Together, over the past 50 years, LCIF and Lions have:
Provided more than 16 million students in 100 countries with access to positive learning environments through Lions Quest.
Provided for the immediate and long-term needs of natural disaster-afflicted communities, distributing 4,600 emergency grants to date.
Worked to bring global measles deaths to a historical low, helping to vaccinate a projected 87.7 million children.
Supported the needs of humanity’s sick, displaced, and disabled.
LCIF focuses its philanthropy on specific areas of need (focus areas) helping to give shape and direction to its impact. LCIF has historically focused on vision, youth, disaster relief, and humanitarian causes. As the needs of the world change, Lions evolve to serve their communities in new ways. LCIF is evolving as well, expanding their global causes to include diabetes, hunger, childhood cancer, and the environment.
One hundred percent of donations go to fund grants and programs.
Grants are funded entirely by the generosity of Lions, partners, and friends.
It has a four-star ranking from Charity Navigator.
It is the only global Lions foundation.
LCIF has granted US$1 billion in its 50-year history.
Some grants are large, while some are for just a few thousand dollars. Some projects are far from home, while others are just around the corner. But the need is global and the impact is powerful everywhere and at every level.
LCIF WORKS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
In Fremont, Nebraska, a US$75,000 grant to Lions of District 38 0 enabled the construction of a sensory courtyard dedicated to engaging all five senses in children with a variety of special needs. “I love taking my son there and seeing his face light up with each new sensation and sensory element,” says Miranda Long, of Fremont. Summer Mau, a board member of the Autism Center of Nebraska, says, “The sensory courtyard gives us a fun family experience, free of judgment of the abilities my children lack. There are not many situations in our community where we get to experience things as a family.” The sensory garden project was spearheaded by Lion Mary Robinson, a mobility specialist at Fremont Public Schools, who teaches students who are blind and visually impaired. Robinson was inspired to create the garden after hearing about the strides a young child who is blind made after he began gardening with his mother.
A LITTLE CAN GO A LONG WAY
In India, many families are unable to prioritize the education of their children, especially girls. But one woman has embraced these girls, leading a charge to get them educated. In 2009 the Gajapatnagaram Lions Club of India, sponsored by the Burr Ridge-Hinsdale-Oak Brook Lions Club in the United States, was awarded a US$5,000 grant from LCIF to renovate a student dormitory in Andhra Pradesh, India, enabling 40 girls to attend classes, some for the very first time. Lion Saipadma cares for her students as if they were her own children, often traveling into students’ villages to convince their parents of the benefits of an education for their children. Currently, 48 girls and 25 boys are developing life and academic skills that will help them avoid migrant labor, gender stereotypes, child marriage, and other obstacles, all thanks to a grant from LCIF.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS LEAD TO HISTORICAL IMPACT
Between 1994 and 2008, LCIF has supported the work of The Carter Center with US$59 million in funding to help eradicate onchocerciasis (river blindness) and trachoma, two communicable causes of blindness that were devastating countries like Nigeria, in Africa. Mass administration of the drug ivermectin (Mectizan®) donated by Merck & Co., Inc., has been so successful in two Nigerian states that the program is currently being phased out. During its partnership, LCIF and The Carter Center have funded river blindness and trachoma programs throughout Africa and the Americas. Overall, the Lions partnership with The Carter Center has led to the distribution of more than 214 million Mectizan® treatments in 11 countries. As a result, The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified that Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Guatemala are now free of river blindness. There is still more work to be done, though, and LCIF intends to provide US$16 million in financial support for The Carter Center’s river blindness and trachoma programs through 2020.
INCREASING SERVICE IMPACT
Lions and LCIF are doing so much good. But there is still much to be done. Financial resources are needed in order to continue helping those in need. LCIF has committed to raising US$300 million over the next three years, so that more Lions can do more good for more people around the world.
SUPPORTING LIONS' SERVICE
Through Campaign 100, LCIF will expand upon its demonstrated commitment to communities, making an even greater global impact with a focus on vision, youth, disaster relief, and humanitarian work.
It will also look for ways to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve the quality of life for those diagnosed.
Lastly, it will conduct research to identify the specific areas of greatest need and opportunity within the larger causes of hunger, childhood cancer, and the environment by conducting pilot projects to gain the expertise to develop sustainable, long-term programs on local and global scales.
The generosity of Lions fuels the work of LCIF.
Grants are funded solely through the contributions of Lions, partners, and friends, and one hundred percent of donations go to fund grants and programs. While the main goal of every Lion is to serve, service doesn’t always mean leading a service project. Donating financial resources is also a way to serve.
Lions can donate individually or as a club. LCIF has developed a Model Club program, in which local clubs can pledge to lead by example. Clubs have many different opportunities to raise funds, including asking members to give, dedicating a fundraiser to the campaign, making a gift from the club treasury, or asking community members to donate. To qualify as a Model Club, clubs commit to donating an amount equal to an average of at least US$750 per member, which may be fulfilled on a payment schedule.
However you choose to participate, it’s an exciting time to be a Lion, with more ways than ever to make an impact on the world.
Visit lcif.org/BE100 to learn more.
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