LCIF OKs US$3.3 Million in Grants

The LCIF Board of Trustees approved US$3.3 million in November for Lions’ projects. The 81 projects will enable Lions worldwide to preserve sight and assist the blind, promote health, counter disability, nurture youth, serve the elderly and otherwise address vital humanitarian needs.

The grants consist of:

· Fifty-six standard grants for US$2.4 million. Standard grants are matching grants for large-scale service projects that meet urgent humanitarian needs. Among the standard grants are US$73,273 for Lions in Minnesota, United States (District 5M-6), to equip the ophthalmology department at the University of Minnesota, US$75,000 for Lions of Brazil (District LD-4) to equip an intensive care unit at Tres Passos Hospital, US$33,364 for Lions in Japan (District 332-D) to equip an eye bank and school for the blind and US$35,246 for Lions in India (District 324-E3) to construct the Kaduthuruthy Lions Vocational Training School for the Disabled.

·  Sixteen Core 4 grants for US$706,124. Core 4 grants are for projects under one of four program areas: preserving sight, combating disability, promoting health and serving youth. Among the Core 4 grants are US$96,990 for Lions in Finland (Multiple District 107) to expand Lions-Quest, US$25,000 for Lions in Lithuania (District 131) to establish Lions-Quest and US$32,450 for Lions in China (District 381) to build 24 Lions-Habitat homes.

· Nine International Assistance Grants for US$209,000. International Assistance Grants (IAG) enable Lions from a developed nation to partner on a project with Lions in a lesser developed region. Among the IAG are US$30,000 for Lions in France (District 103-N) to support agricultural development in Niger, Senegal and Chad, US$15,000 for Lions in Japan (District 334-E) to provide emergency vehicles for the Philippines and US$20,000 for Lions in Michigan, United States (District 11-A2), to undertake a hearing aid mission to Mexico.

The latest round of grants increases LCIF’s total amount of grants to US$375 million since 1972. The LCIF Board of Trustees approves non-SightFirst grants three times a year.