Lions Clubs International Foundation
Annual Report 2007-2008
MESSAGE FROM THE LCIF CHAIRPERSON
Last year was record setting for LCIF. Through Lions’ generosity, largely in response to Campaign SightFirst II (CSFII), LCIF reached a new record in contributions, allowing the Foundation to increase the number of people served through an increase in grants awarded. Total contributions to LCIF were US$78.46 million, an increase of more than $24 million over the previous year and several million over recent years. LCIF provided 570 grants totaling $40.93 million to address vital humanitarian needs.
LCIF was named the number one non-governmental organization worldwide with which to partner, in a study released in July by the Financial Times, in association with the UN Global Compact.
This was a year of many celebrations for LCIF. The Foundation marked its 40th anniversary in June with the successful conclusion of CSFII. The global three-year fundraising campaign was a monumental success, and the greatest fundraising victory in LCIF’s history. Lions and donors around the world rallied to surpass the minimum goal of $150 million, raising more than $200 million. These funds will continue and expand SightFirst, Lions’ renowned program to combat preventable blindness.
LCIF addresses many other humanitarian needs through programs for youth, disability and health. The Foundation also continues to provide grants for Lions to respond to natural disasters. In addition to funding for immediate relief, the Foundation assists in long-term reconstruction, such as providing $3 million following the China earthquake.
After reviewing all of LCIF’s accomplishments, I know you’ll share my pride in what we have accomplished together. Thank you for helping LCIF to change the lives of so many. It is through your continued support that we have achieved so much.
Together “We Serve,”
(Insert Signature)
Jimmy Ross
2007-2008 LCIF Chairperson
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Major Catastrophe: 6 disasters/ $1.35 million
Emergency: 229 disasters/ $1.93 million
Standard: 143 projects/ $6.53 million
SightFirst: 42 projects/ $21.14 million
Core 4: 47 grants/ $3.71 million
International Assistance: 34 grants/ $389,229
Other: 69 Grants/ $5.89 million
We’re #1. As the global leader in humanitarian service, Lions Clubs International Foundation helps Lions members serve their community and the world community. Named the number one non-governmental organization in the world with which to partner, LCIF is the official charitable organization of Lions Clubs International.
We Serve. Grants fund large-scale Lions humanitarian projects for sight, youth, disability, health and disaster. In fiscal year 2007-2008, LCIF awarded $40.93 million for 570 projects.
We Provide. Since LCIF began in 1968, it has awarded 9,000 grants totaling $640 million.
We Give 100 Percent. Every dollar donated to LCIF goes directly toward a grant.
We Partner. LCIF works hard to leverage all donations through partnerships with local and international organizations, governments and corporations, stretching each contribution substantially beyond its original value.
You Gave. In fiscal year 2007-2008, LCIF received $78.46 million in donations, including historic support for CSFII. This was an increase of $24 million over the previous year.* Thank you for your support!
*Donations include cash received and pledges.
**All funds reported in US$.
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Campaign SightFirst II
A Victory for Vision
At the 2008 International Convention, more than 14,000 Lions from around the world gathered to celebrate raising more than $203 million for LCIF’s SightFirst program. Lions and donors had great reason to celebrate the largest fundraising campaign in the history of the association and Foundation. Funds raised through Campaign SightFirst II (CSFII) will continue and expand Lions’ SightFirst program to address the changing patterns of blindness
CSFII was launched at the 2005 Lions Clubs International Convention. CSFII fundraising epitomized Lions’ dedication to the SightFirst program. A majority of Lions clubs from around the world participated in fundraising for the three-year, global campaign, as well as many corporate and government agencies.
The funds raised through this effort are an extension of efforts Lions began more than two decades ago. Combined with the first fundraising campaign that launched the SightFirst program in the early 1990s, Lions have now raised more than $346 million for sustainable sight programs around the world.
SightFirst Around the World
Funds raised through Campaign SightFirst II are already continuing Lions life-changing work. Of the $203 million raised through the campaign, more than $100 million will support programs that control and eliminate the major causes of blindness, such as cataract, trachoma and river blindness. An additional $50 + million will fund projects to combat emerging threats to sight, such as low vision, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The remaining $50+ million will fund “Vision for All” by supporting new research initiatives and rehabilitation.
CSFII Accomplishments
•More than $203 million raised
•Largest gift from a foundation in LCIF history –$7.5 million from The Global Health and Education Foundation, USA
•Largest gift from an individual in LCIF history – $3.2 million from Lion Aruna A. Oswal, India
•67 percent of Lions clubs worldwide contributed
•91 donations of $100,000+ and 123 gifts of $25,000+
•More than 3,400 Model clubs gave a minimum of $400 per-member on average
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Full page photo
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Landmark Donations
Mrs. Aruna A. Oswal, Past District Governor
In April 2008, the family of Mrs. Aruna A. Oswal pledged $3.2 million, the largest, single personal donation in the Foundation’s history. Oswal is a member of the Lions Club of Juhu in Mumbai, India and is a Lions past district governor.
Global Health and Education Foundation
In May, LCIF received a pledge of $7.5 million, the largest donation in its 40-year history. The donation was from Kenneth E. Behring, a U.S. philanthropist, and his foundation, The Global Health and Education Foundation. This gift will support the creation of Operation Global Vision (OGV), a $15 million partnership between LCIF and GHEF.
Moorfields Eye Hospital Foundation Trust
In March 2008, LCIF received a $4 million donation from Moorfields Eye Hospital Foundation Trust, a UK-based international center for the treatment of eye disease and a leader in vision-care research and training. The funds will directly support the construction and establishment of a new facility for the Korle Bu Eye Hospital in Accra, Ghana.
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“Now I can read the newspaper again, and my life is better because I see clearly. Before the surgery, I was unable to do routine household work. I have Lions to thank for the restoration of my eyesight.”
Vasant Pandharinath Hawal, a cataract patient from India
LCIF’s Unprecedented Opportunity
LCIF is in a position of unprecedented opportunity. Now, more than ever, Lions worldwide are engaged in the work of LCIF. The unwavering efforts of Lions throughout CSFII have further established the SightFirst program as a leader in the fight against preventable blindness, and solidified LCIF as a prominent global foundation. There is a better understanding of the need for the humanitarian service that only LCIF and Lions can provide.
LCIF has provided a wide range of humanitarian service to those in need for more than 40 years. The SightFirst program is only one aspect of the humanitarian work of the Foundation. LCIF also combats disability, provides disaster relief and supports the health and education of youth. Through LCIF, Lions develop projects that address the immediate and long-term needs of their local and global communities.
It is indeed an exciting time for LCIF and Lions worldwide. The Foundation has not only been very successful in helping Lions serve others, but with expansion comes new opportunities for service. LCIF is dedicating more resources to expand the Foundation, and a stronger LCIF that is committed to a core mission has the power to transform all aspects of Lions.
A New Era for SightFirst
The SightFirst Advisory Committee is developing long-range plans to guide the future of SightFirst programs. These plans review public eye health programs and recommend strategies for future Lions efforts specific to each disease.
In partnership with the World Health Organization, LCIF awarded $3.75 million to launch a childhood blindness program in 2002. Funds established 30 need-based centers on six continents, which provide preventative, therapeutic and rehabilitative eye care services for 71 million children. This year LCIF gave an additional $879,000 for additional equipment and expansion of the centers. Addressing childhood blindness remains a key priority of the SightFirst program.
The first six grants from funds raised during CSFII have been allocated to projects around the world. Through these six grants, Lions will fight trachoma in Ethiopia, provide eye care to the underserved in Paraguay, address cataract in India, bring vision services to people throughout West Africa, give sight to children in Eastern Europe and address uncorrected refractive error (URE) in North America.
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SightFirst
Vision Care
Lions’ SightFirst program works in partnership with Lions clubs and organizations around the world to improve eye care and make the dream of a life free of blindness come true for millions of people. SightFirst has saved and restored sight to more than 30 million people through cataract surgeries, vision screenings, trachoma control, river blindness prevention programs and much more. In addition, hundreds of millions of individuals have received improved vision care.
Lions have established themselves as world-renowned leaders in blindness prevention. On average, Lions can restore or save an individual from blindness for only $6. Despite Lions’ successes, more work remains. Experts have predicted that if SightFirst efforts come to a halt, the world’s blind population will double from 37 million to 74 million by 2020.
SightFirst’s accomplishments since 1990:
· Awarded 922 grants in 90 countries for a total of $231 million
· Restored sight to 7.5 million people through cataract surgeries
· Prevented serious vision loss for 30 million
· Distributed 10 million doses of Zithromax® and provided 254,000 trichiasis surgeries to fight trachoma
· Provided 114.7 million treatments for river blindness
· Built or expanded 308 eye hospitals/clinics/wards
· Upgraded 372 eye centers with equipment
· Provided management training for 115 facilities
· Trained 345,000 eye care specialists
· Launched world's first-ever initiative to combat childhood blindness in partnership with the WHO for 30 pediatric eye care centers, impacting the lives of 71 million children
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“I’ve received excellent training that I will be able to take back to the people of Rwanda. I will be bale to provide eye care where there was non available before. This would not have been possible without the Lions.”
Emanuel, a student at the African Institute of Tropical Ophthalmology (IOTA) in Mali
River Blindness Halted in Latin American Countries
Transmission of the tropical disease onchocerciasis, or river blindness, has been halted in Colombia, marking the first time that the disease has been eliminated as a public health problem on a country-wide basis. LCIF is a member organization of the program to distribute the drug to control and prevent the disease. Lions help distribute Mectizan® and educate the local community on the need for the medication. Together with The Carter Center, Merck, and other regional partners, Lions have helped distribute more worldwide more than 114 million doses of the medication.
Lions World Sight Day 2007
The Lions World Sight Day 2007international event was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Vision screenings were conducted for more than 50,000 residents. Eyeglasses were provided to those in need and 1,500 people received cataract surgeries at the Lions Gift of Sight Hospital and the SightFirst Hospital Hendala. The surgeries were funded by LCIF. Lions also held a seminar on childhood blindness, a public meeting on the importance of preserving and restoring sight, and a walk in support of Campaign SightFirst II.
KAP Study
LCIF and the National Eye Institute (NEI) released national survey findings in 2008 that showed most adults value their eyesight and are aware of serious eye diseases commonly associated with visual impairment. However, they lack knowledge of how and when to seek timely detection and treatment of those diseases. These findings are from the 2005 Survey of Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Eye Health and Disease, or KAP Study, funded by LCIF and NEI. The study’s findings reinforce the need to educate the public about common eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration. To raise awareness, LCIF has developed the Lions Eye Health Program, a community-based education program for Lions clubs.
Milestone in Trachoma Treatments
LCIF reached a major milestone in trachoma treatments in January when LCIF Chairperson Jimmy Ross distributed the 10 millionth dose of Zithromax®(azithromycin) to 16-year-old Messeleche Tilahun. The antibiotic, donated by Pfizer Inc, is a main strategy in the fight against the disease. Messeleche lives in the most trachoma-endemic part of Ethiopia, where an estimated 18 million are at risk. Representatives from The Carter Center, Lions clubs of Ethiopia, Pfizer, government of Ethiopia, and other partner organizations joined the celebration and are a part of the coalition working toward elimination of trachoma in the region by 2012. Lions in Ethiopia have been integral to achieving remarkable results in the country. The 10 millionth dose comes after just 18 months of full scale intervention and points toward meeting the elimination target date. Through SightFirst, LCIF has awarded numerous grants for trachoma control, outreach and training projects in Ethiopia and elsewhere in Africa.
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LCIF Responds
Lions Aid China
More than 68,000 died and 360,000 people were injured when a massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake rocked the Sichaun province in central China in May 2008. Lions Clubs International Foundation and Lions around the world quickly responded, mobilizing more than $3 million in funding and relief supplies.
LCIF committed a major catastrophe grant for $1 million. Lions in Guangdong, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau raised more than $1 million and traveled to the affected areas to deliver relief supplies including tents, medicine and food. In addition, Lions assisted with reconstruction efforts. Working with the Chinese Red Cross, Lions purchased 10 relief vehicles and ambulances.
Three Lions districts and the China Council of Lions Clubs established a committee to oversee immediate and long-term relief projects. LCIF and Lions from Sweden provided more than 3,000 tents to erect a Lions tent village and provide temporary shelter for relief workers.