TEXAS
LIONS FOUNDATION
The Texas
Lions Foundation has been in operation since 1988 as a charitable foundation to receive
and disburse funds for disaster relief and other humanitarian purposes in the state of
Texas. It is qualified as a tax-exempt non-profit organization to receive donations which
are tax deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
The
Foundation is governed by a board of directors composed of a trustee from each Lions
District in Texas, who is appointed by the District Governor for a two-year term.
(District 2-E1 Trustees are appointed in even-numbered years.) The board elects its
officers each year for a one-year term.
All
donations to the Foundation go into the Trust Fund and only the earnings are used for
operating expenses and charitable grants. The Foundation now has over $1 million dollars
in its Trust Fund and is able to make a number of meaningful grants each year.
Two types
of grants are made by the Foundation: (1) Humanitarian Service grants are issued in
support of a broad range of projects designed to fill diverse needs. In general, projects
which create or expand community programs or institutes are given preference. (2) Disaster
Relief grants are made in response to natural disasters that cause significant mortality,
injury, and property damage and loss. Priority is given to projects aimed at providing or
reconstructing public facilities and services. Over $118,000 in grants have been issued
since the Foundation was formed, with approximately one-third being humanitarian grants
and two-thirds disaster grants.
Projects
for which Humanitarian Grants are sought must be sponsored by or joint projects of the
Lions district and approved by the executive committee and board of trustees of the
Foundation. Disaster Relief grants are made on an emergency basis to meet immediate needs
not met by other sources and are limited to $2,000.00 each. These grants must be submitted
through the district governor or foundation trustee and may be approved by the executive
director and executive committee of the Foundation. Checks can usually be delivered in
just a few days if approved. |