Darien Lions Club Foundation

What Darien Lions Club Foundation does

Darien Lions Club Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization (EIN 36-4260549) incorporated in Illinois and operating as the charitable giving arm of the Darien Lions Club, itself a member club of Lions Clubs International, District 1J of Illinois. Founded in 1971 alongside the parent club, the Foundation exists primarily to receive tax-deductible monetary contributions (cash, checks, securities, estate bequests) and generate interest income, which is then distributed to fund eyeglasses, hearing aids, scholarships, and other community programs aligned with the Lions' mission of serving those with visual and hearing impairments.

The Foundation supports a portfolio of community service and fundraising programs operated by the Club's approximately 150 volunteer members. Key programs include the annual Candy Day roadside fundraiser (raising over $25,000 annually and consistently the top collector in Illinois), the Big Raffle ($24,000 in prizes across 450 tickets at $100 each), the Flag Program ($50/year subscription for residential flag displays), the Recognition Brick Patio Program at Darien Community Park, Foundation Fellowship donor recognition, and the Halloween Party (serving 1,300+ children at Darien Sportsplex). The Foundation also funds the Food Basket Drive, which has grown since 1976 to serve approximately 250 families (~990 individuals) across Darien, Downers Grove, Westmont, and Willowbrook with holiday meals and toys. Collected used eyeglasses, hearing aids, and keys are processed through Lions of Illinois Foundation and shipped internationally for redistribution.

The business model is entirely donation- and event-driven with no commercial product or technology revenue. GTM is community-led: visibility and fundraising are generated through public events (4th of July Parade, Oktoberfest, Pancake Breakfast), social media (Facebook, Instagram), and word-of-mouth referrals through the member network. Membership recruitment occurs through existing member sponsorship with two annual induction periods. The Foundation has no proprietary technology, patents, apps, or APIs; all operations are manual and volunteer-driven. In June 2025, the Foundation received a $30,000 grant from DuPage County, representing its first documented institutional government funding and a potential new revenue channel.

Name

Darien Lions Club Foundation

Legal name

Darien Lions Club Foundation

Website

https://darienlions.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Darien Lions Club Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that receives tax-deductible donations to fund eyeglasses, hearing aids, scholarships, and community programs including food baskets, flag displays, and fundraising events, serving Darien and surrounding Illinois suburbs via approximately 150 volunteer members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG), Community Fundraisers & Charity Events (Gala/Walks excluded) (MPAGAEAK)

Keywords

• Community service nonprofit
• Charitable fundraising
• Volunteer service organization
• Holiday food assistance
• Vision and hearing aid donations

Headquarters

HQ city

Darien

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation which generates interest to fund distributions for eyeglasses and hearing aids. Donations can be made via cash, check, securities, or estate bequests.
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues of $150 per member, with partial payment options for spring induction ($75). Dues cover Lions International, state, and district fees.
3. Big Raffle: Annual raffle with prizes totaling $24,000 including $10,000 first prize. Tickets sold at $100 each, limited to 450 tickets, with drawing at annual golf outing.
4. Candy Day Fundraising: Annual door-to-door and intersection fundraising campaign. Raised over $25,000 in recent years, making them the top Candy Day collector in Illinois.
5. Flag Program: Annual $50 fee for placing a 3'X5' American flag at residences from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. Includes installation, maintenance, and storage.
6. Brick Patio Program: Recognition brick purchases for the Darien Community Park, creating a lasting legacy in the community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Darien Lions Club Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization that operates community service programs, fundraising events, and donor recognition initiatives in the greater Darien, Illinois area. Its offerings include holiday food basket distribution to approximately 250 families, collection of used eyeglasses and hearing aids for international distribution, and community events such as the 4th of July Parade, Halloween Party, Pancake Breakfast, and Oktoberfest. The Foundation funds these activities through member dues, donations, the annual Big Raffle, Candy Day fundraising, and the Flag Program.

Product overview

Darien Lions Club Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with approximately 150 members. The foundation's offerings consist of community events (4th of July Parade, Halloween Party, Pancake Breakfast, Oktoberfest), fundraising programs (Big Raffle, Candy Day), and donor recognition initiatives (Flag Program, Recognition Brick Patio Program, Foundation Fellowship). The foundation also conducts a holiday Food Basket program serving families in need and collects used eyeglasses and hearing aids for international distribution. All programs are funded through member dues, donations, and fundraising activities, with contributions supporting sight and hearing services and local community assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Holiday Food Baskets Program Annual holiday food basket distribution program providing ham, turkey, dairy, produce, canned food, and toys for children to approximately 250 families (around 990 individuals) in need across Darien, Downers Grove, Westmont, and Willowbrook. Sponsored at $100 per family.
• Eyeglasses and Hearing Aids Collection Program Community collection program for used eyeglasses, sunglasses, hearing aids, and keys with a main collection box at Jewel Foods and 15 additional collection points at Meijer's, Costco, Sam's Club in Woodridge, Oxford Bank in Westmont, and Walmart in Darien. Items are processed through Lions of Illinois Foundation and shipped to third-world countries for distribution to those in need.
• Big Raffle Fundraiser Annual raffle fundraiser offering 18 prizes totaling $24,000 including a $10,000 first prize, $5,000 second prize, $2,000 third prize, five $1,000 prizes, and ten $200 prizes. Tickets sold at $100 each, limited to 450 tickets, with the drawing held at the annual golf outing.
• Candy Day Fundraiser Annual two-day door-to-door and intersection fundraising campaign where volunteers collect donations at local intersections and retail locations in exchange for candy. The program raised over $25,000 in recent years, making the club the top Candy Day collector in Illinois, with the award renamed the 'Darien Trophy' in their honor.
• Flag Program Annual subscription program providing a 3'X5' American flag displayed at a donor's residence from Memorial Day through Veterans Day for an annual $50 fee, including installation, maintenance, and storage.
• Recognition Brick Patio Program Donor recognition program allowing contributors to purchase engraved commemorative bricks placed at Darien Community Park in honor or memory of individuals, operated in partnership with the Darien Park District.
• Foundation Donations Tax-deductible donation processing accepting cash, check, PayPal, securities transfers, and estate bequests under the Foundation's 501(c)(3) status. Donations generate interest income that funds distributions primarily for eyeglasses and hearing aids.
• Pancake Breakfast Event Annual all-you-can-eat community breakfast event featuring pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, and beverages, with vision and hearing tests available through Lions of Illinois Foundation. Tickets are $10 at the door, $8 in advance from club members, with children 5 and under eating free.
• Oktoberfest Community Festival Annual community festival featuring live music, German cuisine, beer, games, bingo, and family activities, co-hosted with the City of Darien and sponsored by multiple local businesses.
• Halloween Party Event Annual free community Halloween event hosted at Darien Sportsplex featuring games, entertainment, a magician, and the famous 'graveyard' display, attracting over 1,300 children and 500 ice skaters annually.
• 4th of July Parade Annual Independence Day parade tradition since 1971, currently in its 55th year, featuring parade participants assembling at the Jewel parking lot and proceeding through Darien streets.

Quantifiable outcome

• Distributed holiday food baskets to approximately 250 families (~990 individuals) annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Feed My Starving ChildrenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 February 2025Volunteer partnership where club members pack nutritional Rice Mannapacks at the Aurora, IL facility for distribution worldwide to those in need.
• Darien Park DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegral partner in the Food Basket Drive program for many years. Provides distribution headquarters facility on Fairview in Darien for packaging and distribution operations. Also coordinates and wraps presents for children in families receiving food baskets.
• Darien SportsplexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free use of indoor ice skating rink and large soccer field for the annual Halloween Party, allowing the club to host over 1,300 children and 500 ice skaters at no cost to attendees.
• Darien Park District (Brick Patio Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation with Darien Park District for the Recognition Brick Patio Program at Darien Community Park, allowing donors to engrave their names as a lasting legacy.
• Lions of Illinois FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization that receives collected eyeglasses, hearing aids, and keys. Sorts, inspects, identifies prescriptions, packages, and ships items to third-world countries for distribution.
• Local Event SponsorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple local businesses sponsor events including Oktoberfest: Buona, Camden Law Office, Cattaneo Electric Co., Darien Arts Council, Darien Swim and Recreation Club, Darien Women's Club, Darien Youth Club, Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Kiddie Academy, Modell Funeral Home, Pace Systems, Private Vista, Q Bar, Taurasi Restaurant, and Tizzy's Treats & Eats.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Downers Grove Lions Club: Neighboring Lions Club within District 1J of Illinois that operates the same Lions Clubs International model of membership dues, fundraising events, and community service in adjacent Downers Grove. Highly comparable in scale, programming (food drives, eyeglass collection), and beneficiary profile.
• Kiwanis Club of Darien: Comparable civic service club operating locally with similar membership dues model, community fundraising events, and volunteer-driven service programs. Direct competitor for members and sponsors in the same Darien geography.
• Lemont Lions Club: Southwest suburban Chicago-area Lions Club within Lions of Illinois, operating the same membership dues / fundraising / community service model. Comparable scale and program mix including eyeglass collection, scholarships, and local events.
• Rotary Club of Darien: Fellow civic service club operating in Darien, Illinois. Competes for the same volunteer pool, local business sponsorship dollars, and community grant funding while offering parallel membership-based community service programming.
• Woodridge Lions Club: Adjacent suburban Lions Club serving Woodridge, Illinois — a community in close geographic proximity to Darien. Operates identical Lions International programming including Big Raffle, Candy Day, eyeglass collection, and scholarship programs.
• Westmont Lions Club: Adjacent District 1J Lions Club serving Westmont, Illinois — one of the four communities served by the Darien Lions Club Foundation's Food Basket Drive. Operates the same Lions model with comparable event-based fundraising and community service programming.

Broad incumbents

• United Way of DuPage County: Regional nonprofit umbrella organization also serving DuPage County families in need. Operates at larger scale with similar mission of supporting needy families, making it a competitor for DuPage County grants and corporate donor dollars that the Darien Lions Foundation increasingly pursues.
• Lions Clubs International: The global parent organization that charters and supports all local Lions Clubs including the Darien Lions Club Foundation. Provides brand standards, programs (LCIF grants, eyeglass recycling infrastructure), and the umbrella affiliation cited as a competitive differentiator for the Darien chapter.
• Lions of Illinois Foundation: State-level Lions umbrella organization that processes eyeglass, hearing aid, and key collections from the Darien Lions Club and ships them to third-world countries. Acts as a backbone organization and is comparable as a regional grantmaking/distribution intermediary.

Others

• Darien Park District: Municipal parks and recreation agency that is the Darien Lions Club Foundation's primary strategic partner — providing free facility access for the Food Basket Drive distribution and Halloween Party. Comparable as a community-facing civic organization but does not directly compete for donations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DLCIL
• Instagraminstagram.com/darienlionsclub_il
• Xx.com/darienlions
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/darien-lions-club-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Darien Lions Club Foundation