Lions Non-Profit Grant Application

The Downtown San Diego Lions Club Welfare Foundation provides grant funding to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations serving San Diego City or San Diego County residents.

Geographic Scope: San Diego City and San Diego County, California

Primary Focus Areas:

• At-risk youth
• Military families and veterans
• Seniors
• People with disabilities

Award Amount:

• Average grant: $1,000 - $2,500
• Larger grants may be approved on a limited basis
• Club has limited grant resources

Types of Funding Supported:

• Capital improvements (one-time nature)
• Equipment
• Program-specific support

Types of Funding NOT Supported:

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

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
• Must serve City of San Diego or San Diego County residents
• Must align with Lions Club mission

Recent Funded Organizations (2024):

• 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
• Site visits required with all new applicants

Important Notes:

• Incomplete applications will be denied
• If requesting multiple items, provide itemized list with each item's cost to help Lions Club select items fitting budgetary process

Contact Information:

• Address: 310 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92101

Application Process

1. Verify Eligibility:
   • Confirm organization is 501(c)(3) non-profit
   • Confirm service area is San Diego City or San Diego County
   • Confirm alignment with Lions Club mission (at-risk youth, military, seniors, people with disabilities)
2. Complete Non-Profit Grant Application:
   • Download the Lions Non-Profit Grant Application form
   • Carefully follow all instructions
3. Prepare Required Documentation:
   • Submit entire grant application as one PDF document
   • If requesting multiple items, provide itemized list with each item's cost
   • Include specific funding amounts requested
4. Submit Application:
   • Submit completed application package
   • Incomplete applications will be denied
5. Site Visit:
   • Site visits required with all new applicants
6. Processing:
   • Grants typically take 8 to 12 weeks to fund

Key Requirements:

• All instructions must be followed carefully
• Applications must be complete
• Include itemized lists for multiple items
• One PDF document submission