The newest LCIF grant initiative, Core 4, is designed to fund large-scale projects that target urgent needs under the core service commitments of Lionism -- preserving eyesight, combating disability, promoting health, and serving youth.Core 4 grants may only be requested for specific priority projects adopted by the LCIF Trustees. (The trustees will adopt no more than two funding priorities in each of the four program areas at any one time.) Each of the priority projects is designed to target emerging humanitarian needs or to take advantage of new opportunities for service focusing Lions' energies on our core humanitarian commitments. This approach offers flexibility. New priority projects will be added as global humanitarian needs change and as new opportunities for service arise.
Current priority projects are:
Preserving Sight
- Children's Eye Photoscreening Program (developed countries)
- Low Vision Projects
Combating Disability
- Building Homes for the Blind and Disabled with Habitat for Humanity
- Eye Care for Special Olympics Athletes
Promoting Health
- Diabetes Prevention & Treatment
Serving Youth
Core 4 grant projects are available for up to US$200,000 on a three-to-one basis, which means Lions applying for a grant need only raise 25 percent locally. (The limit for Lions-Quest grants is US$100,000 for multiple districts and the limit for Habitat grants is US$50,000.) However, priority is given to projects in which the LCIF Core 4 grant is used to leverage significant funds from the local Lions and their project partners.
These projects are generally restricted to projects organized at the multiple district and subdistrict levels. Two guiding principles of the program are to identify projects in which:
- many clubs can participate (projects offering hands-on service opportunities will be given top priority)
- benefit a large number of communities served by clubs in a district.
For additional information, contact the LCIF Grant Programs Department at International Headquarters, ext. 292 or e-mail lcif@lionsclubs.org.