Award eligibility
- Club must remain in active status.
- Service project must be reported in the Lion Portal.
- Service project must have taken place in the 12 months preceding the nomination due date of February 28. For the 2026-2027 Lions year only, projects taking place from July 1, 2025, through February 27, 2027, may be included.
- Club must not have received the award within the previous three years.
Criteria
- Addresses at least one of the eight Lions International global causes.
- Demonstrates creativity and innovation.
- Has a positive, memorable impact on the community.
- Raises awareness of Lions International in the community.
Award process
Club submissions – by February 28
Lions club service chairpersons and Leo club presidents select one of their service projects, complete a nomination form, and email it to their district global service team (D-GST) coordinator.
District selections – by March 31
Following a vote by their district cabinet, D-GST coordinators select one nomination as winner of their District Kindness Matters Service Award. They endorse the winning nomination form and email it to their multiple district global service team (MD-GST) coordinator.
Multiple District review – by April 30
Following a vote by their council of governors, MD-GST coordinators select one nomination as winner of their Multiple District Kindness Matters Service Award. They endorse the winning nomination form and email it to Lions International.
International winner selection and announcement
Lions International will randomly select one nomination from each constitutional area as a winner of the International Kindness Matters Service Award. Winners will be announced by the end of the Lions International Convention.
Celebrating winners
Districts and multiple districts should celebrate the winner of their District or Multiple District Kindness Matters Service Award at conventions or other prestigious events as well as on social media and in the local press.
- District winners certificate template
- Multiple district winners certificate template
- Social media congratulation image
- Press release template
Each of the eight international Kindness Matters Service Award winners will receive one trophy per club and one medal per club member, plus three additional medals to honor additional project volunteers.
