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Lions Clubs International Ftdn

EIN 23-7030455 · Oak Brook, IL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To empower Lions Clubs, volunteers, and partners to improve health and well-being, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian services and grants that impact lives globally, and encourage peace and international understanding.

Income
$71.3 million
Spending
$60.1 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
75.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
86
Volunteers
17,653
Highest pay
$344,922, lcif executive administrator

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 75.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (8)
  1. $16.9 million spent. Humanitarian - Through LCIF's matching grant and district and club community impact grant, Lions can support humanitarian activities and initiatives. LCIF's humanitarian grants empower Lions to address unmet health needs and support at-risk, vulnerable populations around the world. LCIF's humanitarian funding also supports partnership efforts such as vision screenings and programs for athletes through the Special Olympics Opening Eyes partnership and school-based feeding programs through the World Food Program USA.
  2. $8.1 million spent. Youth - LCIF provides youth and young adults opportunities to succeed. The Lions Quest program provides young people and their educators with tools to make positive choices, resist drugs and alcohol, learn through service, and become healthy young adults.
  3. $7.5 million spent. Disaster relief - LCIF provides disaster grants to Lions from the LCIF General Disaster Fund. Grants are intended to support Lions with disaster preparedness, relief, and recovery efforts following natural disasters.
  4. $5.0 million spent. Vision - Lions are a world leader in the effort to prevent avoidable blindness and assist people who are blind or visually impaired. Through partnerships and grants, LCIF funds efforts to provide local capacity building, training, screening, diagnostic equipment, medications and treatments, and rehabilitation projects.
  5. $3.5 million spent. Hunger - Grants support major equipment and infrastructure projects focused on alleviating hunger.
  6. $1.1 million spent. Childhood cancer - Grants improve the quality of life for children receiving cancer treatment and their families.
  7. $642,752 spent. Diabetes - Grants empower Lions to implement large-scale diabetes screening events, youth diabetes camps, workforce training, equipment and infrastructure projects to help individuals identify and manage diabetes.
  8. $300,595 spent. Environment - Through LCIF's matching grant and district and club community impact grant, Lions can support environmental activities and initiatives, including but not limited to tree planting, waste management and recycling, and community clean-up events.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1969.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.