Lions Club Welfare Foundation

Mission

The Lions Club of San Diego promotes human welfare through service and charity

501(c)3 33-0299972 A California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation

The San Diego Lions Welfare Foundation was created in January of 1944. It is the agency which funds the charity and public service operations of the San Diego Lions Club.  It is recognized as a charitable organization by government authorities and is accorded tax-exempt status with respect to contributions and bequests made for charitable purposes. The Foundation activities are directed by a 19-member Board of Trustees elected from the membership of the Downtown San Diego Lions Club.   Although Lions Clubs internationally are known for being “Knights of the Blind”, as described in the 1920’s by Helen Keller, the Lions Club of San Diego Welfare Foundation financially assists not only projects for the sight-impaired, but also provides assistance to the hearing-impaired, disadvantaged youth, seniors, veterans, military and their families, and physically challenged persons in San Diego.  Our Lions also engage in hands-on activities for many of the groups we fund.

 

Support of Local Agencies and Individuals.

The Grants Committee of the Downtown Lions Club meets monthly to review grant applications from individuals and agencies in the Downtown area.  Each grant application is vetted thoroughly by the committee, and if approved, is forwarded for approval by both the Club Board of Directors and then Welfare Foundation Board of Trustees.

DO YOU WISH TO APPLY FOR A GRANT?

Lions Individual Grant Application

Downtown San Diego Lions Club – Lions Welfare Foundation

Lions Non-profit Grant Application

Downtown San Diego Lions Club – Lions Welfare Foundation

DO YOU WISHT TO DONATE?

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PROJECTS

  • Baseball Tournament

    Lions Historic Baseball Tournament

    Founded by Mike Morrow and Les Cassie in 1951, The San Diego Downtown Lions High School Baseball Tournament is the Oldest and Largest High School Tourney in the United States.  This annual tournament is funded through the Welfare Foundation and is administered by the Lions Club of San Diego.  Volunteers for this major endeavor come from the Downtown Lions Club and other clubs in our district.

  • Scholarship Fund 

    Empowering Local Students

    This annual program provides scholarships for graduating seniors from the following eight high schools, Garfield, Gompers, Hoover, Kearny, Lincoln, Monarch, Twain and San Diego High School. Recipients are chosen by San Diego Lions members from applicants that register through their high school counselor, in a process that takes place each spring.

  • Lions Camp Jack 

    Uplifting At-Risk Youth

    Lions Camp Jack, founded in 1996 by Jack Wyatt of the Downtown San Diego Lions Club, provides a free, week-long summer camp for at-risk youth aged 9-12. Campers enjoy activities like archery, hiking, and aquatics while building positive relationships with law enforcement and fostering personal growth. Funded by community donors, the camp offers scholarships and has a proven record of enhancing self-esteem, responsibility, and communication skills.

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Board of Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

At the San Diego Lions Club, leadership thrives on collaboration and a shared purpose. When challenges arise, our approach is simple yet powerful: We serve! Rooted in local engagement and guided by a global perspective, we dedicate ourselves to volunteer efforts that meet the unique needs of San Diego while creating meaningful connections that extend our impact worldwide. Together, we lead with heart, vision, and a commitment to making a difference.

Leadership.

Board of Trustees

  • Chair: Douglas Wahl

  • Vice Chair: Jonathan Mosier

  • Secretary/CFO: Theodore Kay

  • Secretary/CFO: Theodore Kay

  • Mark Davis

  • Helen Elias

  • Freddy Gomez

  • Mark Heinrich

  • Maire Hunt

  • Linda Langan

  • Edvin Liku

  • Aaron Majors

  • Sharon Mendenhall

  • Helga Moore

  • Pam Myers

  • Charles Owens

  • Peter Singer

  • Randy Stage

  • Pat Stalnaker