Lions Clubs International
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1917
- HeadquartersOak Brook, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
Lions Clubs International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lions Clubs International
- Legal name
- Lions Clubs International
- Website
- https://lionsclubs.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1917
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lions Clubs International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Volunteer Service Organizations
- NAICS
- Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs (HLAJAKAE), Multilateral Global Health Agencies (UN/IFIs) (HLAJAKAA), Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF)
Keywords
Where Lions Clubs International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oak Brook
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Lions Clubs International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Member Dues and Contributions: Lions Clubs International operates primarily through member dues and charitable donations. Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) receives donations from members, corporations, and individuals, with 100% of donations supporting grants and programs.
- Campaign 100 and Fundraising Initiatives: Major campaigns like Campaign 100 have raised significant funds. LCIF raised US$325 million during Campaign 100, exceeding goals. Annual telethons like Tell-A-Thon drive ongoing donations.
- Corporate Partnerships and CSR: Corporate partnerships provide funding and resources for joint programs. Companies like Johnson & Johnson Vision co-found initiatives like Sight For Kids.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | One-time or recurring donation options from $10 to $5,000+ |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels12 records
Lions Clubs International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lions Clubs International operates a global volunteer service organization with 1.4 million members across approximately 50,000 clubs in 200+ countries and regions, delivering humanitarian programs addressing vision care, youth development, disaster relief, hunger alleviation, childhood cancer, diabetes, environmental sustainability, and broader humanitarian aid. Its charitable arm, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), channels donations into grants supporting these service areas, with more than US$1.3 billion in grant funding awarded since 1968. Targeted programs such as Lions Quest (youth development) and Sight For Kids (vision care) operate as structured initiatives within the broader service framework, supported by partnerships with the UN, World Food Programme, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.
Product overview
Lions Clubs International operates as a global service club organization built around a platform-plus-programs model. The core organization (Lions Clubs International) coordinates approximately 50,000 clubs with 1.4 million members, supported by its charitable foundation LCIF which provides grant funding and administers programs including Lions Quest (youth development), Sight For Kids (vision), and Campaign 100 (major fundraising). The technology stack includes LION AI (Ellie), an AI assistant for member and public support, and a member portal (Lion Portal). LCIF also operates a donation platform supporting multiple payment methods. Key initiatives include disaster relief, school feeding programs (with WFP), and eight global service causes (childhood cancer, diabetes, disaster relief, environment, hunger, vision, youth, and humanitarian). A member benefits program provides commercial discounts through partnerships with Avis, Budget, Enterprise/National, Wyndham Hotels, Hotel Storm, Beltone, and 1-800-Flowers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Leo clubs: Youth membership program for young volunteers ages 12 to 30 focused on serving communities, growing leadership skills, and making connections
- Lions Quest
- Sight For Kids
Products and services
- Lions Club Membership Membership in the global Lions Clubs International service organization, providing adults opportunities to serve their local communities through 50,000+ clubs across 200+ countries, addressing eight global causes including childhood cancer, diabetes, disaster relief, environment, hunger, vision, youth, and humanitarian initiatives.
- Leo Club Program Youth membership program for young volunteers ages 12 to 30 (Alpha Leos 12-18 and Omega Leos 18-30) focused on serving communities, growing leadership skills, and making peer connections through service activities. There are 175,000 Leos worldwide.
- Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) Grants Charitable grant funding program operated by LCIF, awarding more than US$1.3 billion in grants since 1968 to support Lions' humanitarian service worldwide. 100% of donations flow to grants and programs. In FY2024-2025, LCIF awarded 1,809 grants totaling more than US$44.5 million.
- Lions Quest Youth development and life skills education program operated by LCIF in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The program has transformed youth globally for over 40 years and reached 20+ million students. Includes bullying prevention, intentional inclusion, and youth mental wellness components as part of The Choose Kindness Project coalition.
- Sight For Kids Vision care program co-founded by LCIF and Johnson & Johnson Vision to mobilize Lions and eye care professionals to provide eye health services in underserved communities worldwide. Addresses avoidable blindness and visual impairments through education, screening, and treatment including eyeglasses provision.
- LION AI (Ellie) AI-powered conversational assistant providing personalized support and information about Lions International programs, resources, and services. Available in 13 official languages, Ellie answers queries from members and the public using content from the Lions International website.
Quantifiable outcome
- 9.8 million cataract surgeries funded through vision programs
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Lions Clubs International
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Lions Clubs International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature1 record
Lions Clubs International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)coreWFP and LCIF launched a pilot Home-Grown School Feeding programme in Ghana targeting 33,598 pupils across 100 schools. The initiative aims to improve child nutrition, strengthen local food systems, and create reliable markets for smallholder farmers. LCIF previously partnered with WFP USA on a US$12 million, three-year expansion to support school meals in multiple countries.
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)coreLCIF partnered with UNODC to expand Lions Quest youth development program across Southeast Europe (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia) through 2029. US$1.6 million grant supports teacher training, curriculum expansion, and program delivery. Partnership has already reached over 56,000 students in the region since 2014.
- United NationscoreLions and UN partnership dates back to 1945 when Lions leaders contributed to discussions on the UN's formation. Lions have held consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council since 1947. Annual Lions Day with the UN brings together Lions, UN diplomats, and global leaders for advocacy events.
- Johnson & Johnson VisioncoreLCIF and Johnson & Johnson Vision co-founded Sight For Kids to mobilize Lions and eye care professionals to provide eye health services in underserved communities. The program has provided vision screenings to millions of children. J&J also partners through J&J CareCommunity platform, having donated US$100 million of MedTech products since 2020.
- Special OlympicscorePartnership to expand inclusive sport and education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities. Republic of Niger joined the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion in June 2026. LCIF supports Unified Sports programs and Healthy Athletes screenings through this partnership.
- Texas Children's Hospital Global HOPEcorePartnership providing childhood cancer treatment and medication in Africa. Lions have impacted lives by making childhood cancer treatment free, available, and accessible through this partnership.
- WFP USAcoreWFP USA and LCIF announced a US$12 million, three-year partnership expansion to support the World Food Programme's homegrown school meals initiative, with each contributing US$2 million annually. Collaboration builds on 2024 pilot program that provided meals to 653,000+ children.
- Johnson & Johnson (ACUVUE, Bausch + Lomb, Alcon, CooperVision)minorContact lens manufacturers including Johnson & Johnson (ACUVUE), Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, and CooperVision implement sustainability initiatives including recycling programs and plastic neutrality commitments, in partnership with Lions for eyeglass recycling awareness.
- Khalsa Aid InternationalflagshipKhalsa Aid International received the 2026 Lions International Humanitarian Award recognizing extraordinary leadership in global humanitarian relief and disaster response. The organization was selected for its commitment to serving humanity regardless of borders, race, or religion.
- Special Olympics Global Coalition for InclusioncoreCoalition bringing together governments, civil society, and partners to advance inclusive education and sport worldwide. Lions International is a founding member working with Special Olympics to expand inclusive opportunities across 60 Unified Champion Schools in Niger alone.
- Hong Kong Tourism BoardminorSupporting organization for the 108th Lions International Convention in Hong Kong, partnering with local travel trade to offer delegates exclusive tourism experiences and promote Hong Kong as the Events Capital of Asia.
Scale indicators19 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lions Clubs International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- World Food Programme (WFP): Direct partner and UN multilateral agency co-running the Home-Grown School Feeding programme with LCIF. Operates as both peer in hunger-relief mission and as a strategic collaborator; comparable scale on school feeding globally.
- Special Olympics International: Direct partner through the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion. Comparable youth and disability-focused mission, similar volunteer-led grassroots model, and brand association with adaptive/inclusive programming.
Direct peers
- Kiwanis International: Smaller direct peer service club organization (~$100M+ scale) operating similarly across 80+ countries with clubs, member dues, and youth-focused programs (Kiwanis Builders Club, Key Club). Comparable mission areas (children's health, education) and federated governance.
- Rotary International: The closest direct peer — a global service club organization with ~1.4M members across 200+ countries and geographies. Operates a similar federated club structure, member-dues revenue model, and global humanitarian causes (notably polio eradication). Comparable membership scale, fundraising structure (Rotary Foundation), and UN consultative status.
- Habitat for Humanity International: Global nonprofit operating in 70+ countries with volunteer-led local affiliates, donor-funded model, and mission focus on housing/poverty alleviation. Shares Lions' model of mobilizing volunteers through local chapters for community service and large-scale fundraising campaigns.
- Shriners International: Smaller fraternal/service club with similar federated local chapter structure, member dues revenue model, and direct connection to a charitable healthcare network (Shriners Hospitals). Direct peer in operating model and membership scale.
- Points of Light: Volunteer-mobilization nonprofit that operates in similar service-club/community-service territory with a digital-first approach. Comparable focus on recruiting, training, and deploying volunteers for community impact, though operating with a more centralized model.
Broad incumbents
- American Red Cross: A broader humanitarian nonprofit with significantly larger scale ($4B+ annual revenue) that overlaps Lions on disaster relief, humanitarian aid, and volunteer-led service. Comparable federated local-chapter structure and brand recognition but with a much broader operational footprint and paid-staff model.
- UNICEF USA: Broader humanitarian nonprofit with overlapping school feeding, child nutrition, and youth development programs. Comparable UN-aligned positioning, scale of donations, and corporate partnership structure (Lions and WFP/UN partnerships mirror this).
Emerging players
- Direct Relief: Larger humanitarian aid nonprofit focused on medical supply distribution and disaster relief — mission overlap with Lions' humanitarian and disaster work but a more centralized, professionally-staffed operating model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Lions Clubs International social profiles
Digital presenceLions Clubs International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lions Clubs International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Lions Clubs International subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Lions Clubs International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lions Clubs International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lions Clubs International
What does Lions Clubs International do?
Lions Clubs International operates a global volunteer service organization with 1.4 million members across approximately 50,000 clubs in 200+ countries and regions, delivering humanitarian programs addressing vision care, youth development, disaster relief, hunger alleviation, childhood cancer, diabetes, environmental sustainability, and broader humanitarian aid. Its charitable arm, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), channels donations into grants supporting these service areas, with more than US$1.3 billion in grant funding awarded since 1968. Targeted programs such as Lions Quest (youth development) and Sight For Kids (vision care) operate as structured initiatives within the broader service framework, supported by partnerships with the UN, World Food Programme, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.
Is Lions Clubs International a public or private company?
Lions Clubs International is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Lions Clubs International founded?
Lions Clubs International was founded in 1917. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Lions Clubs International based?
Lions Clubs International is headquartered in Oak Brook, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lions Clubs International make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Member Dues and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are campaign 100 and Fundraising Initiatives and corporate Partnerships and CSR.
Who are Lions Clubs International's main competitors?
Others on record are World Food Programme (WFP) and Special Olympics International. Direct peers are Kiwanis International, Rotary International, Habitat for Humanity International, Shriners International and Points of Light. Broad incumbents are American Red Cross and UNICEF USA. Direct Relief is listed as an emerging player.
Does Lions Clubs International have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lions Clubs International.
What industry is Lions Clubs International in?
Lions Clubs International's product category is Volunteer Service Organizations. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJAKAD, International & Local Implementing NGOs, with a secondary code of HLAJAKAE, Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs. Its NAICS code is 813 and its SIC code is 8600.