Lions of Illinois Foundation

What Lions of Illinois Foundation does

The Lions of Illinois Foundation (LIF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded on July 1, 1974, and headquartered in DeKalb, Illinois. It serves Illinois residents with vision and hearing needs through a portfolio of programs including the Student Low Vision Program (free comprehensive evaluations for 300+ K-12 students annually), Adult Low Vision and Orientation & Mobility Training, Camp Lions (free overnight summer camp at three Illinois locations for 5 weeks per year), a Hearing Aid Bank, and Mobile Screening Units that travel statewide from March through October conducting free hearing and diabetic retinopathy screenings using non-mydriatic cameras. The foundation is operationally embedded in a network of nearly 500 Lions Clubs throughout Illinois, which serve as volunteer labor, local screening hosts, sponsors, and fundraisers.

LIF funds its operations through a diversified revenue model centered on charitable donations and recurring fundraising events: Candy Day (the flagship annual fundraiser held the second weekend of October), the Sight & Sound Sweepstakes ($23,050 total prizes, $5,000 grand prize), the Annual Charity Golf Classic, Roar-In' Car Shows, Tootsie Pop Day, Walk-A-Thons, and the RaiseRight gift card rebate program. It also maintains the Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund (established 1983), a restricted investment pool whose principal remains intact and only income is deployed for programs. Tiered donor programs include Sustaining Supporters ($25/year), Legacy Supporters ($50/year), and Foundation Fellows ($500+ with progressive levels up to 25). All programs are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries.

The foundation's most significant asset is its research partnership with the University of Illinois at Chicago through the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute (LIERI), established in 1986 with $5 million raised by Lions from 1978-1984. LIERI houses 142+ research faculty, has produced 138 patents, 150+ grants, and 1,500+ publications, and its host UIC Department of Ophthalmology ranks 7th nationally in NIH funding. The foundation employs a small staff of approximately 5 led by Executive Director Ron Fruit, with its broad reach enabled almost entirely by the volunteer Lions Club network and partner healthcare organizations such as Spectrios Institute, Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, Illinois College of Optometry, and Illinois Retina Associates.

Name

Lions of Illinois Foundation

Legal name

Lions of Illinois Foundation

Website

https://lionsofillinoisfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Lions of Illinois Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free vision and hearing programs, including student low vision evaluations, mobile screenings, and overnight camp, to Illinois residents through a network of nearly 500 Lions Clubs, funded by donations, fundraisers, and an endowment fund.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vision and Hearing Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGACAG

Disability Services & Independent Living Support

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGADAH

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDACAFAN

Vision & Hearing Early Intervention Services

Education/Early Childhood Education/Early Intervention & Developmental Services (0–5)

Keywords

• Vision screening services
• Hearing screening programs
• Low vision support
• Vision research institute
• Accessible summer camp

Headquarters

HQ city

DeKalb

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, Lions members, and the general public. The foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
2. Candy Day Fundraiser: Annual community fundraising event on the 2nd weekend of October. Lions and volunteers collect monetary contributions throughout Illinois communities. This is the foundation's biggest fundraiser supporting vision and hearing services.
3. Sight & Sound Sweepstakes: Cash raffle with tickets sold at $10 for 3 tickets or $4 individual. First prize of $5,000 with total prize money of $23,050. Drawing held at Annual Membership Meeting in May.
4. Annual Charity Golf Classic: 4-person scramble golf tournament with $98 registration fee including golf, cart, lunch, drinks, dinner, and giveaways. Sponsorships available at various levels from $50 to $1,000.
5. Gift Card Campaign (RaiseRight): Year-round fundraiser where supporters purchase gift cards from participating retailers. LIF receives a percentage rebate from retailers with no additional cost to supporters. Rebates go toward Camp Lions program.
6. Endowment Fund: Restricted fund where contributions are pooled and invested with principal remaining intact. Only income is used to support programs. Includes Sustaining Supporter ($25/year), Legacy Supporter ($50/year), Foundation Fellow (progressive levels), Tree of Service, and Legacy Club programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Lions of Illinois Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that delivers free vision and hearing programs to Illinois residents. Core offerings include the Mobile Screening Unit (traveling hearing and retinal screenings), the Student Low Vision 'Seeing Is Believing' program, Adult Low Vision Orientation & Mobility Training, the Hearing Aid Bank, Camp Lions overnight summer camps at three locations, the Recycling Program for eyeglasses/hearing aids, and the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute (LIERI) partnership at UIC. Operations are funded through fundraising events, donations, and an endowment fund.

Product overview

The Lions of Illinois Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization providing a portfolio of vision and hearing programs and services throughout Illinois. The organization does not operate a unified software platform but rather offers distinct programs including Camp Lions (free overnight summer camp for youth and adults with vision/hearing needs), Mobile Screening Units (traveling hearing and retinal screenings), Student Low Vision Program (comprehensive evaluations for K-12 students), Adult Low Vision-Orientation & Mobility Training, Hearing Aid Bank (refurbished aids distribution), and Recycling Programs. The foundation supports its operations through fundraisers including Candy Day, Sight & Sound Sweepstakes, Golf Classic, and Roar-In' Car Shows, and maintains an Endowment Fund for long-term sustainability. Research activities are conducted through the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute partnership with UIC.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Camp Lions of Illinois: Free summer camp program for Illinois residents with vision and hearing needs, offering overnight week camps for youth ages 7-17 and adults 18+.
• Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund (LIEF)

Products and services

• Camp Lions of Illinois Free overnight week-long residential summer camp for Illinois residents ages 7 and older with vision and hearing needs. Three locations: Camp Red Leaf in Ingleside, East Bay Camp in Hudson, and Camp DuBois in DuBois. Activities include swimming, hiking, fishing, canoeing, horseback riding, archery, and team sports. Designed to build self-confidence, independence, and social connections among campers with similar abilities.
• Mobile Screening Unit Free traveling hearing and retinal screening program operating throughout Illinois from March through October annually. Equipped with non-mydriatic cameras with digital imaging capability to photograph retinas for diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration screening. Retinal images reviewed by Illinois Retina Associates. Local Lions Clubs host the mobile unit within their communities.
• Seeing Is Believing Low Vision Program (Student Low Vision Program) Statewide low vision comprehensive evaluation clinic for K-12 students providing free eye care, screenings, and vision tools. Administered in partnership with Spectrios Eye Institute, Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, and Illinois College of Optometry. Low-vision optometrists prescribe optical devices such as magnifiers, glasses, telescopes, and sun wear. Cost to the foundation is $290 per student, with no cost to the student. Serves 300+ students annually.
• Adult Low Vision - Orientation & Mobility Training Provides Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training to adults who have recently lost or are losing their sight, delivered through partners including Center for Sight & Hearing, Lake County Center for Independent Living, Second Sense, and Educational Center for the Visually Impaired. Targets the funding gap where no government or insurance funding exists for everyday living skills unless tied to job preparation.
• Hearing Aid Bank Program providing refurbished hearing aids to needy individuals who cannot afford to purchase aids or do not qualify for State of Illinois programs. Hearing aids are collected, sorted, reconditioned, and distributed through participating Lions Clubs and audiology clinics throughout Illinois.
• Recycling Program Collects recyclable items including eyeglasses, hearing aids, cell phones, keys, key fobs, wire, desktop ink cartridges, brass, and sneakers. Items are repurposed with proceeds supporting vision and hearing programs. The sneaker recycling program partners with gotsneakers.com.
• Candy Day Fundraiser The foundation's largest fundraiser, held annually on the second weekend of October. Lions and volunteers collect monetary donations throughout Illinois communities. Proceeds support low vision programs, Camp Lions, and mobile screening units.
• Sight & Sound Sweepstakes Cash raffle fundraiser with a first prize of $5,000 and total prize money of $23,050. Tickets are sold January through May at $10 for 3 tickets or $4 per individual ticket, with the drawing held at the Annual Membership Meeting in May. Proceeds support vision and hearing programs including Camp Lions and free screenings.
• Annual Charity Golf Classic A 4-person scramble golf tournament held on the first Saturday in August. The $98 registration fee includes golf, cart, lunch, dinner, and giveaways. All proceeds benefit the Student Low Vision Program. The 2026 event marks the 32nd anniversary. Sponsorship tiers from $50 to $1,000 available.
• Roar-In' Charity Car Show An annual car show with $15 registration fee supporting the Adult Low Vision - Orientation & Mobility Program. Events are held at multiple Illinois locations including Cortland, IL and St. Jacob, IL.
• Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund (LIEF) A restricted fund established in 1983 where contributions are pooled and invested with the principal remaining intact. Only the income is used to support programs and services for people with vision and hearing needs. Includes supporter programs such as Sustaining Supporter ($25/year), Legacy Supporter ($50/year), Foundation Fellow ($500+ with progressive levels up to 25 levels), Tree of Service, and Legacy Club for planned giving.
• Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute (LIERI) A vision research institute established on the UIC campus, funded by $5 million raised by Lions Clubs from 1978-1984. Since opening in 1986, researchers have obtained 138 patents, received over 150 grants, and produced over 1,500 publications. The UIC Department of Ophthalmology ranks 7th in NIH funding among ophthalmology departments nationwide with over 142 research faculty.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ students served annually through Student Low Vision Program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Spectrios Institute for Low VisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'Seeing is Believing' program providing FREE comprehensive visual evaluations for Illinois students K-12. Provides low vision evaluation, counseling, and instruction of daily living skills and technology use.
• Chicago Lighthouse for the BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing comprehensive vision care and low vision evaluations through 'Seeing is Believing' program for students.
• Illinois College of OptometrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing optometric services and low vision evaluations for the Student Low Vision Program.
• Illinois Retina AssociatescoreTechnology or IntegrationReviews digital retinal images captured by mobile screening units for diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. Screens people throughout Illinois at high-risk categories.
• Center for Sight & HearingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing Orientation & Mobility Training for adults who have recently lost or are losing their sight.
• Lake County Center for Independent LivingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing Orientation & Mobility Training services for adults with vision loss.
• Second SenseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing Orientation & Mobility Training and client-centered training for visually impaired individuals.
• Educational Center for the Visually ImpairedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in adult low vision services helping with skill development and social connection.
• Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually ImpairedminorOthersResource partner providing personalized learning opportunities for blind or visually impaired individuals, family members, and professionals.
• Leader Dogs for the BlindminorOthersResource partner providing guide dog services, Orientation & Mobility, and Teen Summer Camp programs for visually impaired.
• EversightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit eye bank dedicated to restoring sight and preventing blindness through donation, transplant, and research. Partners in eye donor registry that became Illinois Secretary of States drivers license donor program.
• Pearle VisionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership offering eye examinations and new prescription eyeglasses through Sight Pass program. Lions may receive a discount through Sight Pass.
• UIC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome of Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute (LIERI). Ranked 7th in NIH funding among ophthalmology departments. Houses 142+ research faculty. Lions raised $5 million from 1978-1984 to build the facility.
• Lions InternationalcoreOthersWorld's largest service organization dedicated to helping communities. Lions of Illinois is part of Multiple District 1. Foundation provides pathway for membership.
• American Diabetes AssociationminorOthersLeads fight against diabetes and its consequences. LIF conducts Diabetes Awareness Campaign from March 1 to May 31 annually.
• CaptionCall by SorensonminorOthersProvides captioning technology for hearing impaired individuals using voice-recognition technology and captioning agents.
• Green Closet CreativeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFull-service advertising and marketing agency that created the Lions of Illinois Foundation website.
• USA/Canada Lions Leadership ForumminorOthersForum developed for Lions leaders to motivate and educate attendees, provide open exchange of ideas, and support programs and goals of Lions International.
• Lions of Illinois Inc.coreOthersMultiple District website of Lions of Illinois - the Birth Place of Lionism. Coordinates activities across nearly 500 Lions Clubs in Illinois.
• Illinois School for the Visually ImpairedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost site for Jacksonville Semi-Annual Low Vision Clinic since 1976. Partner in Student Low Vision Program providing extensive exams for children with severe visual impairments.
• RaiseRightminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGift card fundraising platform partner. LIF receives percentage rebates from retailer purchases made through raiseright.com. Supports Camp Lions program funding.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Eversight: Nonprofit eye bank network restoring sight through donation, transplant, and research. Comparable as a partner/peer operating vision-related programs in Illinois with a donation-driven mission model paralleling LIF's approach.
• Prevent Blindness: National nonprofit focused on vision screening, education, and advocacy to prevent blindness. Comparable as a direct peer delivering free vision screenings and public education programs, with similar mission scope and nonprofit funding model.
• Foundation Fighting Blindness: National nonprofit funding retinal disease research and supporting affected individuals. Comparable as a vision-focused nonprofit combining research funding with patient services, paralleling LIF's LIERI/Student Low Vision dual mandate.
• Helen Keller International: Global nonprofit combating vision loss and malnutrition through programs and partnerships. Comparable as a peer directly continuing Helen Keller's 'Knights of the Blind' mission that LIF cites as its founding inspiration.
• American Foundation for the Blind: National nonprofit expanding possibilities for people with vision loss through advocacy, education, and research. Comparable as a peer serving blind and visually impaired populations with multi-program service delivery and policy advocacy.
• Lighthouse Guild: National nonprofit providing vision rehabilitation, healthcare, and behavioral health services for the visually impaired. Comparable as a peer delivering clinical vision services and counseling, similar to LIF's partnerships with Spectrios and Chicago Lighthouse.
• National Federation of the Blind: Largest US membership organization of the blind, providing advocacy, education, and community programs. Comparable as a peer serving blind and visually impaired constituencies with state-level chapter presence and free programs.
• Hearing Loss Association of America: National nonprofit representing people with hearing loss through advocacy, education, and support. Comparable as a peer addressing the hearing impairment half of LIF's vision-and-hearing mission at a national scale.
• Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind: A direct partner of LIF providing low vision evaluations, but also a peer organization serving blind and visually impaired Illinois residents. Comparable as a peer delivering clinical vision rehabilitation services in the same geographic market.

Broad incumbents

• Lions Clubs International Foundation: The global charitable arm of Lions Clubs International, the parent organization of Lions of Illinois Foundation. Comparable as the umbrella Lions-related grantmaking and humanitarian nonprofit serving similar vision/hearing/disability missions worldwide.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lions_illinois
• Facebookfacebook.com/LIFnd
• Instagraminstagram.com/_lionsillinoisfoundation1974
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lions-of-illinois-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Lions of Illinois Foundation