The Carter Center
LCIF donated US$16 million and entered into a partnership with the Carter Center in 1999 on a five-year initiative to control river blindness in Africa and Latin America. (About US$7 million of the grant was to combat trachoma, another frequent cause of blindness in developing nations.) In 2001, another US$2.6 million was approved to control river blindness. So far, 40 million treatments have been delivered.

Habitat for Humanity International
In 1999, LCIF began a partnership with Habitat and set aside $3 million per year for three years to build homes for people with disabilities. In 2001, LCIF committed an additional $3 million to the partnership. Nearly 500 homes have been built or approved for construction so far.

Special Olympics
The Special Olympics Opening Eyes Program was launched in 2001 thanks to a three-year US$3.3 million grant from LCIF. Athletes at select Special Olympics games receive free eye exams, and, if needed, free glasses and sports goggles on the spot. They also are checked for glaucoma and other eye diseases. The screenings have resulted in better vision in a chronically underserved population and have prevented blindness through early detection of disease. More than 21,000 competitors have been screened.

United States Blind Golf Association
In 2001-2002, LCI began a partnership with the United States Blind Golf Association (USBGA). A three-year, $300,000 grant from LCIF is helping the USBGA spread the word that golf and, indeed, physical activity, is for everyone.

Corporate Partners
LCIF is grateful for the generosity of its corporate partners. They share not just funds but a spirit of humanitarianism and a dedication to improve the lives of the needy. Thanks to these partners, LCIF has been able to expand programs, establish new initiatives and extend its service to others. Major corporate partners are:

Allergan
US$100,000 to support glaucoma education materials as part of the revamped Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP).

Conrad Hilton Foundation
US$150,000 for the Lions' health education activities in Mali and Niger as part of the West African Water Initiative. The five-year grant helps Lions mobilize political will, increase the effectiveness of health education and enhance trachoma control activities.

Eli Lilly
US$50,000 for Lions' diabetic programs (in conjunction with a diabetic patient survey supported by Eli Lilly). US$80,000 to support screening by Lions and to support diabetes education materials as part of the revamped Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP). An in-kind donation of US$236,000 for a presentation to the American Diabetes Association, follow-up public relations and a public service announcement campaign for diabetes and diabetic retinopathy featuring the work of Lions.

Johnson and Johnson Asia and Corporate
Up to US$745,000 over three years for the Lions/Johnson & Johnson Sight for Kids program in Korea, MD300 Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, India and China. Sight for Kids involves eye health awareness, education and children's eye screening.

Kraft Foods International
US$20,000 for an orphanage in Guatemala, US$20,000 for victims of a drought in Central America and US$25,000 for a children's day care center in Panama.

Lavelle Fund for the Blind, Inc.
US$125,206 to provide manpower and management training to eye hospitals in developing nations.

LensCrafters
US$1,416,050 of in-kind services to Lions.

LNM Group -- Ispat International Ltd.
US$237,500 pledged to build a Lions' hospital in Gujarat, India, hit by an earthquake.

Pfizer Inc.
US$45,000 to rebuild and equip a hospital in El Salvador damaged by an earthquake. US$77,000 to produce a LCIF video on trachoma titled World with Vision.

Ronald McDonald House Charities
US$26,500 to rebuild and equip a hospital in El Salvador damaged by an earthquake.

Government Partners

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
US$100,000 for Lions-led vocational training programs in Brazil and Sri Lanka. US$50,000 for Lions-Quest in South Africa, Malawi and Rwanda. US$150,000  for Lions-led youth vocational programs in South Africa, Malawi and Rwanda.

U.S. State Department/Conwal
US$150,000 for Lions-Quest in the Czech Republic and for two other nations in Eastern Europe.