Lions Clubs International Foundation FAQs

Charitable donations can be made by an individual or in the name of another person. We offer many forms of recognition and awards. For information on the types of LCIF donation and recognition programs, visit the Ways to Give section of the website.

Donations can be made online at or they can be sent to LCIF. All US checks drafted on a US bank should be sent to:

Lions Clubs International Foundation Department 4547 Carol Stream, IL
Department 4547
Carol Stream, IL 60122

Wire transfers should be sent to:

JP Morgan Chase, N.A.
10 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60603
ABA Routing No. 021000021
ACH No. 071000013
Account Name: Lions Clubs International Foundation
Account No: 754487312
Swift International Banking No: CHASUS33

In countries where LCI has bank accounts, funds may be deposited in local currency. Be sure to check the association’s official exchange rates, shown on monthly club statements. When submitting funds by local deposit, it is important to fax, mail or email to LCIF a copy of the bank deposit receipt and information regarding to whom the donation should be credited. If funds meet the criteria for Melvin Jones Fellowship credit (donations made to general funds for supporting youth, meeting humanitarian needs, providing disaster relief, saving sight and the area of greatest need), MJF credit can be issued. Standard global processing time for an MJF is four to six weeks. Many countries may charge customs and VAT charges on the importation of MJF plaques and other recognitions and awards. These fees are the responsibility of the individual or club locally receiving the items.

In the U.S., it is best to send personal or bank checks. Checks sent from outside the U.S. should be in U.S. dollars drawn on U.S. banks, which expedites processing and reduces costly international bank collection charges. Checks should be sent to LCIF’s lock box address, not LCIF’s physical address. In countries where LCI or LCIF has bank accounts, funds may be deposited in local currency in amounts equivalent to the required U.S. dollars, using the association's official exchange rate shown on monthly club statements. A copy of the bank deposit receipt must be sent to LCIF along with completed donation forms. Fax or mail documentation to LCIF Donor Services at donorassistance@lionsclubs.org.

Make U.S. checks or bank drafts payable to "LCIF." Write the purpose of the donation, such as "Melvin Jones Fellowship/recipient's name," "club plaque," etc.).

LCIF accepts charitable donations charged to Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards. Donations can be made safely online. If you need assistance making your donation online, please email Donor Assistance at donorassistance@lionsclubs.org or call 1.630.203.3836.

Funds should be forwarded without delay. Doing so ensures prompt crediting of the donor's record and issuance of LCIF recognition and awards. In addition, checks held for an extended period become dated, sometimes requiring a new check from the donor.

For donation and recognition inquiries please contact LCIF Donor Services at donorassistance@lionsclubs.org.

LCIF Facebook fundraiser donations are not automatically applied towards your MJF/PMJF or credited to the organizer of the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) Facebook fundraiser, unless the donor contacts LCIF. For Facebook fundraisers you donate to, in support of LCIF, you will need to contact LCIF Donor Services at donorassistance@lionsclubs.org with a copy of your LCIF Facebook fundraiser donation receipt. If you are a supporter of someone else’s LCIF Facebook fundraiser and would like your donation to be applied towards your MJF/PMJF or applied to the organizer’s as credit, you must contact LCIF Donor Services.

Donations may be eligible for return within 30 days of processing. Funds will be credited back via the original payment method, except for cash donations, which will be refunded by check. For more information, please contact LCIF Donor Services at +1.630.203.3836 or email donorassistance@lionsclubs.org. Before making a final decision, we kindly ask you to reflect on the impact of your donation. Each contribution is vital to advancing our global humanitarian mission. LCIF ensures that 100% of your gift goes directly toward grants and program expenses, making a real difference in communities around the world. You can learn more by viewing our stewardship flyer. If a donation return is processed, any associated recognition, award eligibility and eligibility for District and Club Community Impact Grant (DCG) will be forfeited against the value of the donation being returned.

There are several types of recognition available depending upon the type of donation given. These recognitions are mailed to the donor. Note that many countries may charge customs and VAT charges for the importation of plaques. These fees are the responsibility of the individual or club locally receiving the plaque. Contributions for the Melvin Jones Fellowship (MJF) can be made by individuals (including non-Lions), clubs or districts. Donations may be in one sum or in installments. Melvin Jones Fellows receive a special lapel pin, a plaque and a congratulatory letter. Please allow two-four weeks processing time from posted donation to receive your MJF plaque. Visit the Melvin Jones Fellowship page to apply. Download the multiple donor contribution form to add multiple individuals for LCIF recognitions that are not MJF or Progressive MJF.

LCIF board policy requires that donations must be processed at headquarters before recognition can be sent. To ensure accurate and timely processing and the prompt issuance of recognition, please include necessary documentation such as a completed Melvin Jones Fellowship application form with the donation or emailed to donorassistance@lionsclubs.org.

LCIF asks that donors give to the Empowering Service fund, which supports all LCIF’s causes or the Disaster Relief fund, which is also a donation to LCIF, but reserved specifically for all disaster relief. LCIF will treat donations received for international disasters as funds for the identified country concerned, as indicated by the donor, and only designate them to another disaster when there is no further need in that country as determined by the local Lions Disaster Relief Committee. The foundation supports many Lions’ projects and initiatives through grant program for projects that meet the grant criteria. Currently, when identified by donor, the donation can apply for MJF credit. Please contact donorassistance@lionsclubs.org for donation credit and / or if you have questions on designating your donation.

Authorized Officers can log in to the Lion Portal for donation/recognition reporting and view the Insights Dashboard to view current year donation activity. Please contact LCIF Donor Services at donorassistance@lionsclubs.org with any donation questions.

Fiscal responsibility and transparency are important to LCIF. LCIF continues to ensure that all donated funds are used efficiently to help even more people. Donations fund short-term and long-term program expenses, including grants. Based on targeted investment returns, investment income is anticipated to be sufficient to cover projected administrative and development expenses.

Since 1968, LCIF has been dedicated to increasing the ability of Lions everywhere, helping them empower the communities they serve. With every grant we give, our history grows, along with the impact of Lions. Today, we couldn’t be more proud of where we stand, or more excited about the future of our work. Learn more about our Charity Navigator rating.

We appreciate the opportunity to share more about our finances and programs with you. You may view our most recent Annual Report. For more details on the past year’s finances, view our Audited Financial Statement, or LCIF’s tax return (form 990).

The filing status for Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) is exclusive to LCIF and cannot be used by any other individual, group or club for exempt purposes.

We encourage you to explore the different grant types and resources within the LCIF Grants Toolkit. Visit lionsclubs.org/GrantsToolkit to find out if there’s a grant that’s right for your club, district or multiple district now, or in the future!

The vast majority of grant funding is made possible by donations from Lions clubs and individual members worldwide. LCIF does not receive any portion of Lions membership dues. Gifts from foundations, corporations, governments, non-Lions and interest earned on investments also provide funding.

LCIF supports large-scale projects that address unmet humanitarian needs for entire communities. These projects are led by local Lions who identify the need, develop the plan of action and carry out the project. LCIF does not have a grant program that supports individual assistance. These requests are more appropriately directed to the local Lions who often have programs in place to support these types of requests within their communities. Use the club locator to find a club in your area to contact.

Please visit the Lions Events Calendar to learn more about grant application deadlines or contact the Global Grants Division at LCIFGlobalGrants@lionsclubs.org.

Reports outlining LCIF grants and donations are available by contacting LCIF.

For general grant inquiries and submission of grant applications, please view the contact information to access a staff listing according to their constitutional areas of responsibility.

Donations may be made throughout the year, and grants can be applied for in the following Lions year. The DCG requires a US$5,000 minimum unrestricted donation for clubs and a US$10,000 minimum unrestricted donation for districts. The minimum unrestricted donation must be achieved within the fiscal year (i.e., July 1 – June 30). Visit the District and Club Community Impact Grants page to learn more about specific program frequently asked questions.

The DCG program is an opportunity for clubs and districts to utilize some of the funding they donate to LCIF. For clubs and districts that qualify, they are eligible to apply for a grant equal to 15% of their total contributions (excluding disaster donations) in that year. Learn more about DCG FAQs when you visit lionsclubs.org/DCG.

Donations may be made to the LCIF Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the foundation to respond quickly with support in the wake of a natural disaster. LCIF does not establish designated funds for any disaster.

An important step in getting the most from your grant is letting the community know about your impact. Please download the Lions Guide to Promoting a LCIF Grant Project. In addition, visit LCIF: Stories of Pride to share your LCIF grant service story. 

The logos and emblems landing page offers variations of approved LCIF logos you can directly download.