Downtown San Diego Lions Club Non-Profit Grant Program

The Downtown San Diego Lions Club provides grants through its Welfare Foundation to support local 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that align with the club's mission and serve the San Diego community.

Geographic Scope: City of San Diego and San Diego County residents

Award Amount: Average grant request is $1,000 - $2,500. Larger grants may be approved on a limited basis.

Focus Areas:

• At-risk youth programs
• Military support
• Senior services
• People with disabilities
• Vision/blindness prevention
• Hearing services
• Youth development
• Community services

Eligible Applicants:

• Must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
• Must serve the City of San Diego or residents of San Diego County
• Must align with Lions Club mission (at-risk youth, military, seniors, people with disabilities)

What the Club Funds:

• Capital improvements of a one-time nature
• Equipment purchases
• Program-specific support

What the Club Does NOT Fund:

• Fundraising support for non-profit organizations
• Aid to individuals or organizations outside the United States (except through recognized international charitable agencies)

2024 Funded Organizations Include:

• Amanda's Adaptive Martial Arts
• Armed Services YMCA San Diego
• Bayside Community Center
• Bocon Classics 4 Kids
• ConnectMed
• Feeding San Diego
• Fresh Start Surgical Gifts
• Hearing Foundation
• Home Start, Inc.
• La Maestra Foundation
• Living Coast Discovery Center
• Promises2Kids
• SDSU Research, Hearing Aids
• San Diego Center for the Blind
• San Diego Civic Youth Ballet
• San Diego Council on Literacy
• San Diego Habitat for Humanity
• San Diego Natural History Museum
• San Diego Young Artists Music Academy
• Serving Seniors
• Special Needs Resource Foundation of S.D.
• Veterans Village of San Diego
• Wheelchair Dancers Organization

Processing Timeline: Grants typically take 8 to 12 weeks to fund

Special Requirements: Site visits required with all new applicants

Contact Information:

• Address: 310 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92101
• Website: sandiegolions.org

Non-Profit Grant Application Process

Required Documents:

• Completed Non-Profit Grant Application form
• All supporting documentation submitted as one PDF file
• Itemized list with each item's cost (if requesting multiple items)
• Site visit with Lions Club representatives (required for all new applicants)

Application Instructions:

1. Complete the Lions Non-Profit Grant Application form carefully
2. If requesting multiple items, provide an itemized list with each item's cost
3. Compile entire grant application as one PDF document
4. Follow all instructions provided in the application
5. Submit complete application
6. Be prepared for site visit from Lions Club representatives

Submission Format:

• Submit as a single PDF document
• Include all required materials
• Incomplete applications will be denied

Important Notes:

• Carefully follow all instructions
• Itemize costs for multiple items to help Lions Club select items that fit budgetary process
• Ensure 501(c)(3) status documentation is included
• Provide clear description of how funds will be used
• Grants typically take 8-12 weeks to process
• All new applicants must participate in site visit
• Limited grant resources available; larger grants approved on limited basis