Lions Services

What Lions Services does

Lions Services, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, founded in 1935 by the Charlotte Central Lions Club to employ WWI veterans in chair-caning and incorporated under its current name in 1975. The organization operates a 60,000 sq. ft. ISO 9001:2015-certified, Berry Amendment compliant textile manufacturing facility that employs 200+ staff, including 100+ blind and visually impaired individuals and 12 blind veterans, delivering sewn-goods contract manufacturing to the U.S. Department of Defense under the AbilityOne / Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (NIB affiliate). Federal product lines include Army PT Uniforms, Air Force PT Uniforms, HMMWV Commander Seat Cushions, MOLLE Hydration Carrier Systems, Aviation Hydration Carriers, Helmet Bands, low-lint cloth, and Improved Retention ACH/ECH Helmet Chinstraps.

The core technology stack combines single/multi-needle and cylinder/barrel sewing, bartack, serge/overlock, hot/cold/laser/die cutting, 12- and 15-needle embroidery, heat transfer, snap installation, arbor pressing, steaming, ultrasonic welding, RFID labelling, dye ink label printing, MIL-STD-129 labelling, and end-to-end kitting, bagging, cartoning, and palletizing. Quality management operates under ISO 9001:2015 (originally certified 2010) and the website maintains WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance verified by Vigil-Gemini on April 27, 2026.

Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) B2B manufacturing contracts with federal and commercial customers under individually signed service agreements (quote-based, not publicly priced); (2) charitable donations via Zeffy, workplace giving through Benevity and Blackbaud, IRA QCDs, bequests, and corporate matching; and (3) grants and program sponsorships (Braille Trail Walk tiered sponsors, LionsDENN/LionsHEART/LionsROAR program funding). The customer base is concentrated in U.S. federal defense procurement, with community programming (Charlotte Braille Trail, LionsDENN, LionsHEART, LionsROAR, White Cane Awareness Day) serving blind and visually impaired adults across Mecklenburg County and surrounding counties. Leadership comprises CEO Philip Murph (appointed June 21, 2021; legally blind, longtime employee since September 11, 2001) and Development Director Agatha Bisbikis.

Name

Lions Services

Legal name

Lions Services, Inc.

Website

https://lionsservices.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Lions Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating an ISO 9001:2015-certified, Berry Amendment compliant textile manufacturing facility in Charlotte, NC, that employs blind and visually impaired individuals to produce military sewn goods for the U.S. Department of Defense under the AbilityOne program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Federal Contract Textile Manufacturing

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Men's & Boys' Furnishgs, Work Clothg, & Allied Garments (2320), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Assistive Technology (AT) Access & AAC Access Support (OT-Led) (EDAKAFAG)

Keywords

• Contract textile manufacturing
• Vocational rehabilitation services
• AbilityOne federal contracts
• Berry Amendment manufacturing
• Assistive technology training

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. B2B Manufacturing Contracts: Contract manufacturing revenue from federal and commercial customers (e.g., Department of Defense / AbilityOne customers purchasing military items such as Army PT Uniforms, Air Force PT Uniforms, HMMWV seat cushions, MOLLE Hydration Carriers, helmet chinstraps, etc.). Terms governed by individually signed service agreements; revenue is contract-based and recurring/renewable per federal procurement cycles.
2. Charitable Donations: 501(c)(3) tax-exempt donations from individuals, workplace giving (Benevity, Blackbaud Giving Fund), corporate matching gifts, Donor Advised Funds, gifts of stock, Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs, bequests/beneficiary designations, and event sponsorships (e.g., Braille Trail Walk). Processed via Zeffy (no platform fees, 100% pass-through).
3. Grants and Program Sponsorships: Programmatic funding through sponsorships and grants supporting the LionsDENN, LionsHEART, LionsROAR, Charlotte Braille Trail, White Cane Awareness Day, and Adaptive Medical Station programs. Includes annual Braille Trail Walk sponsorship tiers (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Pearl, Friends & In-Kind, Media).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Lions Services operates an ISO 9001:2015 certified, Berry Amendment compliant textile and sewn-goods manufacturing facility in Charlotte, NC (60,000 sq. ft., 200+ staff), producing AbilityOne/JWOD federal goods such as Army PT Uniforms, Air Force PT Uniforms, HMMWV seat cushions, MOLLE Hydration Carriers, and helmet chinstraps. The nonprofit simultaneously provides vocational rehabilitation, assistive technology training (LionsDENN, JAWS screen-reader), and employment to blind and visually impaired individuals, while running community programs including the Charlotte Braille Trail, LionsHEART, and LionsROAR.

Product overview

Lions Services is a single integrated nonprofit organization delivering a coordinated portfolio of employment, manufacturing, accessibility, and community programs rather than a multi-tenant software platform. The portfolio combines a core manufacturing services business — Textile & Sewn-Goods Manufacturing Services supported by Federal AbilityOne / JWOD Production Items — with a set of named social programs: Charlotte Braille Trail (public art and braille literacy initiative), LionsDENN (assistive technology center), LionsHEART (health, equity, and accessibility resources), LionsROAR (advocacy and awareness), the White Cane Awareness Day Program, the Volunteer Engagement Program, and the underlying Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program that employs blind and visually impaired workers in the Charlotte, NC facility. The manufacturing operations fund and supply the social programs, while the social programs (especially LionsDENN) supply assistive technology, training, and equipment to employees participating in the manufacturing business.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Textile & Sewn-Goods Manufacturing Services ISO 9001:2015-certified Berry-Amendment-compliant contract manufacturing from a 60,000 sq ft facility with 200+ staff. Capabilities include single/multi-needle and cylinder/barrel sewing, bartack, serge/overlock, hot/cold/laser/die cutting, 12- and 15-needle embroidery, heat transfer, ultrasonic welding, snap installation, arbor pressing, steaming, RFID labelling, MIL-STD-129 labelling, and kitting/bagging/cartoning/palletizing for federal and commercial customers.
• Federal AbilityOne / JWOD Production Items AbilityOne / NIB-affiliated product line of military and federal goods including Army PT Uniforms, Air Force PT Uniforms, HMMWV Commander Seat Cushions, MOLLE Hydration Carrier Systems, Aviation Hydration Carrier Systems, Helmet Bands, Cheesecloth and Low Lint Cloth, and Improved Retention ACH/ECH Helmet Chinstraps. Sold to federal agencies under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act.
• Charlotte Braille Trail A public art and accessibility initiative promoting braille literacy in the community, featuring tactile art sculptures, vibrant murals, and a community garden; the focal site for the annual Braille Trail Walk for Independence.
• LionsDENN (Assistive Technology Center) Assistive technology center helping people with vision loss access modern tools such as JAWS screen-reader-equipped laptops, magnifiers, and accessible computer/phone training to regain digital independence and employment capability.
• LionsHEART

Quantifiable outcome

• 93,700 patients served with free eye exams and eyeglasses
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship / core, minor and core.

• AbilityOne Programflagship / coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLions Services is a NIB AbilityOne contractor providing manufacturing, assembly, and packaging services to federal and commercial customers under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. AbilityOne is administered by the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind and enables federal procurement from affiliated nonprofit agencies.
• National Industries for the Blind (NIB)flagship / coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLions Services is a respected NIB affiliate. NIB is one of the two national, independent, nonprofit agencies operating under JWOD alongside National Industries for the Severely Handicapped (NISH). The partnership enables federal contract manufacturing access under the AbilityOne program.
• Charlotte Area Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChamber membership listed among Lions Services' affiliations on the website.
• NAEPB (National Association for the Employment of People who are Blind)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAEPB is listed as one of Lions Services' affiliations on the website, supporting its employment mission for blind and visually impaired individuals.
• SHARE CharlotteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSHARE Charlotte 2026 Partner Seal is displayed on the website; SHARE Charlotte is a Charlotte-area community giving platform.
• SableWood TownscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor of the 4th Annual Braille Trail Walk for Independence (October 3, 2026). Sponsorship supports Lions Services programs (100% of proceeds).
• Main Street BenefitscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor of the 4th Annual Braille Trail Walk for Independence (October 3, 2026).
• Novant HealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor of the 4th Annual Braille Trail Walk for Independence (October 3, 2026). Novant Health is a regional healthcare system serving the Charlotte area.
• Skyla Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze Sponsor of the 4th Annual Braille Trail Walk for Independence (October 3, 2026).
• DEX ImagingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPearl Sponsor of the 4th Annual Braille Trail Walk for Independence (October 3, 2026).
• ShowmarsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPearl Sponsor of the 4th Annual Braille Trail Walk for Independence (October 3, 2026); southern/fresh/greek restaurant brand.
• ReferenceMeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPearl Sponsor of the 4th Annual Braille Trail Walk for Independence (October 3, 2026); outplacement services firm.
• Autobell Car WashminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriends & In-Kind Sponsor of the 4th Annual Braille Trail Walk for Independence (October 3, 2026).
• Kendra & Al DoddsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPearl Sponsor (individual donors) of the 4th Annual Braille Trail Walk for Independence (October 3, 2026).
• Carolina Ascent FCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presenter (with Kick It 3V3) of the Blind Soccer Expo & 3V3 Soccer Tournament on July 18, 2026 at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews, NC. Free inclusive community event with blind soccer demonstrations.
• Kick It 3V3coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presenter (with Carolina Ascent FC) of the Blind Soccer Expo & 3V3 Soccer Tournament on July 18, 2026.
• Triple CminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-created the Tap Tap C beer in partnership with Lions Services to raise awareness around the white cane and White Cane Awareness Day (October 15). Named in honor of Sherri Thompson.
• ZeffycoreTechnology or IntegrationDonation processing platform integrated via Zeffy donation form on the Lions Services website. Charges no platform fees, so 100% of donations go directly to Lions Services. Also powers sponsorship payment for the Braille Trail Walk.
• BenevityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkplace giving platform enabling employees to select Lions Services Inc. as their charity of choice through payroll giving.
• Blackbaud Giving FundminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkplace giving platform enabling employees to direct donations to Lions Services through employer payroll giving programs.
• Aaron Libby PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent photography partner for the 2025 and 2026 Braille Trail Walk for Independence, credited on the Walk sponsor page.
• Vigil-GeminiminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndependent accessibility auditor that completed the most recent independent audit on April 27, 2026 with a Round 2 GREEN verdict (zero axe-core violations, Lighthouse 100/100/100 scores).
• Charlotte Central Lions Clubflagship / coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounder and parent organization — the Charlotte Central Lions Club founded the Charlotte Workshop for the Blind in 1935 to employ WWI veterans to re-cane chairs, which was incorporated as Lions Services, Inc. in 1975.
• Charlotte Mecklenburg LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobile library visits to the Lions Services campus every 3 weeks, bringing books and resources to employees (per the Careers page).

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• LC Industries: Durham, NC-based AbilityOne / NIB-affiliated nonprofit manufacturer producing textiles, office supplies, and packaging for federal customers while employing people with disabilities. Most direct geographic and operational peer to Lions Services.
• Industries for the Blind (Greensboro): Greensboro, NC-based NIB affiliate manufacturing military textiles and contract packaging under AbilityOne. Direct North Carolina-based peer with overlapping federal textile scope.
• Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind: NC-based NIB affiliate providing vocational rehabilitation and contract manufacturing services to federal customers, with overlapping product scope in military textiles.
• Alphapointe: Kansas City-based NIB affiliate and one of the largest U.S. employers of people who are blind, producing AbilityOne-contracted textiles, office products, and eyewear. Direct peer in mission and contract manufacturing.
• Bosma Enterprises: Indianapolis-based NIB affiliate offering vocational rehabilitation and federal contract manufacturing (textiles, packaging, assembly) to blind and visually impaired adults. Comparable mission and federal customer base.
• Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired: San Francisco-based NIB affiliate providing vocational rehabilitation, assistive technology training, and federal AbilityOne contract manufacturing. Comparable mission model and product categories to Lions Services.
• Lighthouse for the Blind, St. Louis: St. Louis-based NIB affiliate operating federal AbilityOne manufacturing (skids, crating, textiles, mops) while employing people who are blind or visually impaired. Strong overlap in contract manufacturing services.

Broad incumbents

• National Industries for the Blind (NIB): The national umbrella nonprofit that administers the AbilityOne/JWOD program for the blind; Lions Services is an NIB affiliate. NIB sets procurement strategy, allocates federal contracts across affiliates, and operates as a broader incumbent to Lions Services' local execution.
• SourceAmerica: National nonprofit administering the AbilityOne program for people with severe disabilities (mirror of NIB). Indirectly comparable as a parallel AbilityOne umbrella, though its affiliates serve a different disability population than Lions Services.

Emerging players

• Melwood: Maryland-based AbilityOne-affiliated nonprofit providing vocational rehabilitation and federal contract services (landscaping, document management, manufacturing) primarily to people with developmental disabilities. Adjacent mission and federal contracting model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lions Services