Lions Clubs International Foundation

Lions Clubs International Foundation prevents blindness and restores sight through the SightFirst Program, and a number of other sight initiatives.

The SightFirst mission is to build eye care systems in underserved communities to fight blindness and vision loss and assist blind and visually impaired persons. Since the program began in 1990, SightFirst has helped save or restore the sight of more than 30 million people worldwide. On average, about every US$6 in donations has resulted in a person with vision restored or saved from blindness. Through two fundraising campaigns, Lions have raised nearly US$350 million to support the ongoing efforts of SightFirst.

Lions develop and manage SightFirst projects in partnership with local health authorities, eye care professionals and other non-governmental organizations.  Projects help to build the capacities of eye care systems so that they can provide high-quality, sustainable services. 

They include one or more of the following elements:

• Delivery of comprehensive eye care and rehabilitation services
• Training eye care, rehabilitation and education professionals and management personnel
• Essential equipment and/or spatial improvements to eye care institutions and education systems serving blind and low vision persons
• Education programs to increase public awareness of eye health, disease prevention and the inclusion of blind and low vision persons

Visit www.lcif.org/sightfirst for more information about SightFirst funding criteria or to download a grant application.

Lions Club International Foundation Advisor in Ireland is John O'Donovan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it